True Stories
True Stories are those based (sometimes loosely!) on fact. They cover topics as diverse as drug addiction, poverty, political unrest, the corruption of power, alcoholism, class divisions, sexual inequality, mental illness and other human struggles. Meet some of history's most intriguing characters, find out what it's really like to climb a mountain or paint a masterpiece. Truly, the True Story is one of cinema's most engaging and enthralling genres.
Bio-pics feature in this section and are also gathered together separately under the 'Biography' sublink left.
Pictured: Inside the Las Vegas mob, Scorsese's unromantic 'Goodfellas'
An Angel At My Table (1990)
7.6/10
Director: Jane Campion
Starring: Kerry Fox, Karen Fergusson, Alexia Keogh, Iris Churn
Jane Campion's remarkable award-winning film based on the autobiographical writing of Janet Frame is a portrait of a sweet-natured, imaginative, painf... Read more
Ancient Rome: The Rise and Fall of an Empire (2006)
8.1/10
Starring: Catherine McCormack, Geraldine James, James Wilby, Peter Firth, Sean Pertwee, Ja...
The definitive history of the world's first superpower, this compelling dramatised documentary series combines CGI with spectacular live action battle... Read more
And Starring Pancho Villa As Himself (2003)
6.6/10
Director: Bruce Beresford
Starring: Antonio Banderas, Eion Bailey, Alan Arkin, Jim Broadbent, Matt Day, Michael McKe...
Antonio Banderas stars in this incredible true story of how Mexican revolutionary Pancho Villa allowed a Hollywood crew to film him in battle, alterin... Read more
Angela's Ashes (1999)
7.3/10
Director: Alan Parker
Starring: Emily Watson, Robert Carlyle
Director Alan Parker expertly brings Frank McCourt's acclaimed recollection of life in 1930s Limerick, Ireland, to the screen in this touching and emo... Read more
Angels of Evil (2010)
Director: Michele Placido
Starring: Moritz Bleibtreu, Paz Vega, Kim Rossi Stuart, Valeria Solarino, Filippo Timi, Fr...
A.k.a. "Angel of Evil". Michele Placido's ("Romanzo Criminale") bio-pic of Renato Vallanzasca plays out like an Italian "Mesrine", charting the rise a... Read more
Anna and the King (1999)
6.7/10
Director: Andy Tennant
Starring: Jodie Foster, Geoffrey Palmer, Chow Yun-Fat, Bai Ling
A lush, epic retelling of the classic true-life story. Jodie Foster stars as the widowed English school teacher who moves with her young son to Siam i... Read more
Anna And The King Of Siam (1946)
7.1/10
Director: John Cromwell
Starring: Irene Dunne, Rex Harrison, Linda Darnell, Lee J Cobb
A sumptuous production chronicling the experiences of a British governess in 19th Century Thailand and her battle of wits with a strong-willed ruler.... Read more
Anne of the Thousand Days (1969)
7.5/10
Director: Charles Jarrott
Starring: Genevieve Bujold, Richard Burton, Anthony Quayle, Irene Papas, John Colicos
The ill-fated romance of King Henry VIII of England and his second wife, Anne Boleyn, is recounted in this lavish drama. The king's (Richard Burton) o... Read more
Another Day In Paradise (1998)
6.5/10
Director: Larry Clark
Starring: Natasha Gregson Wagner, Vincent Kartheiser, Melanie Griffith, James Woods
This absorbing, energetic drama from director Larry Clark ("Kids") tells of a teenage thief, and his girlfriend, who are taken under the wing and on t... Read more
Antwone Fisher (2002)
7.3/10
Director: Denzel Washington
Starring: Derek Luke, Joy Bryant, Denzel Washington
Inspired by the true life experiences of its title character, Denzel Washington's accomplished directorial debut tells the compelling story of a troub... Read more