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'
The Favourite (2018)
7.7/10
Director: Yorgos Lanthimos
Starring: Olivia Colman, Emma Stone, Rachel Weisz, Nicholas Hoult, Joe Alwyn, Mark Gatiss,...
In the early 18th century, England is at war with the French. Nevertheless, duck racing and pineapple eating are thriving. A frail Queen Anne occupies... Read more
The New World (2005)
6.7/10
Director: Terrence Malick
Starring: Christian Bale, Colin Farrell, Q'orianka Kilcher, Ben Mendelsohn, Christopher Pl...
Terrence Malick's epic dramatization of the mythical story of Pocahantas and John Smith (Colin Farrell) is just his fourth feature, coming more than 3... Read more
Joan of Arc (Jovovich) (1999)
6.7/10
Director: Luc Besson
Starring: Milla Jovovich, Faye Dunaway, Dustin Hoffman, John Malkovich
Aka "The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc". French filmmaker Luc Besson's ("The Big Blue") lavish historical biodrama about the visionary French pe... Read more
The Intouchables (2011)
8.5/10
Director: Eric Toledano, Olivier Nakache
Starring: Francois Cluzet, Omar Sy, Anne Le Ny, Audrey Fleurot, Clotilde Mollet
A.k.a. "Intouchables", "Untouchable". Philippe (Francois Cluzet) is a wealthy Parisian left paralyzed from the neck down after a paragliding accident.... Read more
Chariots of Fire (1981)
7.2/10
Director: Hugh Hudson
Starring: Ben Cross, Ian Charleson, Nigel Havers, Ian Holm
England's finest athletes have begun their quest for glory in the 1924 Olympic Games. Success brings honour to their nation. For two runners, the hono... Read more
The Longest Day (1962)
7.8/10
Director: Andrew Marton, Ken Annakin, Bernhard Wicki
Starring: Curt Jurgens, Eddie Albert, Gert Frobe, Henry Fonda, Jeffrey Hunter, John Wayne,...
Acclaimed as one of Hollywood's greatest epics, producer Darryl F. Zanuck's brilliant re-creation of the Allied landing at Normandy on June 6, 1944 fo... Read more
The Grey Zone (2001)
7.1/10
Director: Tim Blake Nelson
Starring: David Arquette, Steve Buscemi, Harvey Keitel, Natasha Lyonne, Mira Sorvino, Dani...
Based on a true story, this bleak yet affecting World War II drama tells of a group of Jewish prisoners known as the 12th Sonderkommando squad, ostens... Read more
The Queen (2006)
7.3/10
Director: Stephen Frears
Starring: Helen Mirren, Michael Sheen, James Cromwell, Sylvia Syms, Alex Jennings
Helen Mirren is a dead ringer for Queen Elizabeth II in Stephen Frear's multiple award-winning film that centres on the aftermath of Princess Diana's... Read more
Good Night, and Good Luck. (2005)
7.5/10
Director: George Clooney
Starring: David Strathairn, George Clooney, Robert Downey Jr, Patricia Clarkson, Frank Lan...
George Clooney's second outing as a director is both an intelligent homage to iconic American broadcaster Edward R Murrow (convincingly portrayed by D... Read more
The Passion of Joan of Arc (1928)
8.2/10
Director: Carl Theodor Dreyer
Starring: Renee Falconetti, Eugene Silvain, Andre Berley, Maurice Schutz, Antonin Artaud
With it's stunning camerawork and striking compositions, Dreyer's film convinced the world that movies could be art. Renee Falconetti (in her only rol... Read more