History: 92

Apocalypto (2006) is an epic historical action-adventure film produced and directed by Mel Gibson, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Farhad Safinia. While on a hunting trip in the Mesoamerican rainforest, Jaguar Paw and his father Flint Sky encounter a group of refugees escaping from war and devastation. Upon returning to their village, Flint Sky warns Jaguar Paw to never allow fear to overtake him, as it has with the frightened refugees. That evening, an elder shares a prophetic tale about a being consumed by an insatiable emptiness that can never be satisfied, no ...

Kingdom of Heaven (2005) is a historical drama, directed and produced by Ridley Scott and written by William Monahan. In medieval France, Balian, a grief-stricken blacksmith, is approached by a band of Crusaders visiting his village. Their leader, Balian’s father Baron Godfrey, invites him to join their journey to the Holy Land, but he declines. That night, Balian learns the truth about his wife’s death from his half-brother, the town priest, and in a fit of anger kills him. The next day, seeking redemption for his actions and peace for his wife’s soul ...

The historical romantic drama film, The New World (2005), was written and directed by Terrence Malick. It tells the story of Pocahontas, the adventurous daughter of Chief Powhatan, and her tribe’s encounter with three English ships in 1607. Captain John Smith, who had been sentenced to death for mutinous comments on board one of the ships, is pardoned upon arrival ashore by Captain Christopher Newport. Despite an initially promising start, the colony soon faces challenges such as disease, poor discipline, supply shortages and tensions with the local Native Americans – referred to as ‘the ...

The period drama film, The Libertine (2004), marked the directorial debut of Laurence Dunmore and was adapted by Stephen Jeffreys from his play of the same name. Set in 1675, it follows the tale of John Wilmot, Second Earl of Rochester, as he delivers a prologue filled with themes of his love for alcohol, his sexual desires, and his disdain for his audience. Despite being banished by King Charles II, Rochester is brought back to join the House of Lords due to the king’s need for him. Upon returning to London, he reunites with his ‘Merry Gang’ friends ...

Troy (2004) is an epic historical war film directed by Wolfgang Petersen and written by David Benioff. Set in 1250 BC, the film tells the story of King Agamemnon’s quest to unite the Greek kingdoms. The heroic warrior Achilles fights for Agamemnon, despite his disdain for the king’s tyrannical ways. Meanwhile, Prince Hector of Troy and his brother Paris are negotiating a peace treaty with Menelaus, King of Sparta. However, Paris begins an affair with Menelaus’ wife, Queen Helen, and smuggles her aboard his ship as they return home. Hector reluctantly ...

The epic historical drama film Alexander (2004) is based on the life of the ancient Macedonian general and king, Alexander the Great. Narrated by Ptolemy I Soter, basileus and pharaoh of Ptolemaic Egypt, the story follows Alexander’s journey starting from his childhood with his mother Olympias and mentor Aristotle. As he grows up, Alexander becomes interested in love, honor, music, exploration, poetry and military combat. However, his relationship with his father Philip II of Macedon takes a negative turn when Philip marries Eurydice, niece of Attalus who Alexander has disowned. This conflict leads to Alexander’s banishment from the palace. After Philip is ...

Director Mel Gibson brought the biblical story of The Passion of the Christ (2004) to life. On Passover night in Gethsemane, Jesus prays with his disciples- Peter, James, and John. In this moment, Satan appears and attempts to tempt Jesus. As blood-like sweat drips from Jesus’ body and a serpent emerges from the guise of Satan, Jesus crushes its head as a rebuke. Meanwhile, Judas Iscariot is offered thirty pieces of silver by Caiaphas and the Pharisees to betray Jesus’ identity. He leads temple guards to the forest where he is arrested, resulting in a scuffle that leads to Peter injuring Malchus, the guard ...

The Last Samurai (2003) brings audiences on an epic journey through a period of action and drama. Edward Zwick, the director and producer, along with co-writers John Logan and Marshall Herskovitz, crafted a screenplay based on a story devised by Logan. The film follows the story of Nathan Algren, a former U.S. Army Captain who has become a bitter alcoholic due to the traumatic experiences he faced during the American Indian Wars. In 1876, Algren is approached by his former ...

Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003) is a film, filled with action and drama, written, produced, and directed by Peter Weir. It takes place during the Napoleonic Wars. In this film, Captain Jack Aubrey of HMS Surprise receives orders to intercept the French privateer Acheron. The enemy unexpectedly attacks Surprise near the coast of Brazil, causing severe damage. Despite returning fire, Acheron proves to be a formidable opponent. To escape, Aubrey orders the use of jolly boats to tow Surprise into a fog bank. Afterward, his officers suggest abandoning the chase since they are no match for Acheron. ...

In the Beginning (2000), an American biblical miniseries directed by Kevin Connor, follows the journey of Abraham’s tribe in their travels and challenges. Originally airing on NBC, this narrative takes place around 2000 B.C. As depicted in Genesis 12, God instructs Abraham and his followers to leave their country for a new land promised to be rich and bountiful. To uplift his followers during their journey, Abraham shares a sermon summarizing God’s creation of the universe. Through the use of stock footage and special-effects shots, the producers aim to connect ancient sermons with modern ...

The Patriot (2000) is an American epic movie portraying historical events. Directed by Roland Emmerich and written by Robert Rodat, the film centers around Benjamin Martin during the American Revolutionary War. A veteran of both the French and Indian War and a widower with seven children, Martin is summoned to Charlestown to vote on a levy that would support the Continental Army. Uncertain about war with Great Britain and not wanting to compel others to fight when he himself will not, Martin refrains from voting. However, the levy passes and his eldest son Gabriel enlists ...

Gladiator (2000) is a film set in ancient Rome, directed by Ridley Scott and written by David Franzoni, John Logan, and William Nicholson. In 180 AD, Roman general Maximus Decimus Meridius returns home after leading the army to victory against Germanic tribes near Vindobona on the Limes Germanicus. Emperor Marcus Aurelius informs Maximus that his son, Commodus, is not fit to take over as emperor. Instead, he offers Maximus the role of regent in hopes of restoring the Roman ...

The American made-for-television Biblical drama film, Mary, Mother of Jesus (1999), shares the story of Jesus from his mother’s perspective. While not all events depicted in the film can be found in the New Testament, it highlights Mary’s significance in Jesus’ life. For instance, it suggests that his parables were inspired by stories told to him by his mother during his childhood. Additionally, the film portrays the risen Jesus appearing to Mary privately. In the closing scene, Mary encourages the disciples to continue spreading Jesus’ teachings and emulating his love and way of life even after his death.

The British film An Ideal Husband (1999), based on the 1895 play by Oscar Wilde, follows a group of upper-class individuals before the turn of the 20th century. At a fashionable park outing, Lady Markby reconnects with Mrs. Laura Cheveley, an old school acquaintance. Laura is eager to meet Gertrude’s husband, Sir Robert Chiltern, and Lady Markby suggests bringing her to the evening’s ball. Although Gertrude initially hesitates, she ultimately cannot refuse without appearing rude. At the extravagant party at the Chiltern residence, Laura tries to manipulate Sir Robert into supporting a bill for a questionable ...

Elizabeth (1998), a British biographical period drama film directed by Shekhar Kapur and written by Michael Hirst, tells the story of Catholic Queen Mary I of England’s death in 1558. The forty-two year old daughter of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon is believed to have died from a cancerous tumor in her womb. With Mary gone, her twenty-five year old half sister Lady Elizabeth, daughter of Henry and Anne Boleyn, is released from house arrest for suspected involvement in Thomas Wyatt the Younger’s rebellion. As the new Queen of England, Elizabeth inherits a ...

The Governess (1998), a British period drama film by Sandra Goldbacher, takes place in the 1830s. It tells the story of Rosina da Silva, the cultured eldest daughter of a prosperous Jewish family in a small community of Sephardic London Jews. After her father is killed and leaves behind significant debts, Rosina rejects an arranged marriage to an older man and vows to support her family through any means necessary. Against the wishes of her family, she decides to work as a governess, masking her identity as a Jew by posing as Mary Blackchurch – a half-Italian Protestant. Through her education and skills, she ...

The romantic comedy film, Shakespeare in Love (1998), was directed by John Madden. Set in London during 1593, it follows the story of William Shakespeare as he struggles with writer’s block while working for Philip Henslowe, owner of The Rose Theatre and the Lord Chamberlain’s Men. In an attempt to sell his new comedy, Romeo and Ethel, the Pirate’s Daughter, to rival theatre owner Richard Burbage, Shakespeare tries to seduce Rosaline, Burbage’s mistress. He also seeks advice from fellow playwright Christopher Marlowe. However, his plans are complicated when he discovers Rosaline is involved with ...

The Man in the Iron Mask (1998) is an American action drama film that marked Randall Wallace’s directorial debut. Facing bankruptcy from King Louis XIV’s costly wars, the Kingdom of France is on the brink of revolution and its citizens are starving due to a lack of resources. In an effort to save money, the king orders for rotten food to be distributed among his people as he prepares for yet another battle. Meanwhile, the former Musketeers have gone their separate ways; Aramis has become a Jesuit priest, Porthos is a womanizing drunkard plagued by health issues, and Athos has retired to his farm. ...

The romantic drama film, Oscar and Lucinda (1997), directed by Gillian Armstrong, follows the lives of two individuals – Lucinda Leplastrier and Oscar. As a child growing up in Australia, Lucinda is captivated by a Prince Rupert’s Drop, which sparks her lifelong passion for glass. Sadly, her parents pass away and she inherits great wealth when her guardians sell off their family farmland. With her newfound riches, Lucinda purchases a glass factory and becomes involved in gambling after being introduced to it by her accountant. Meanwhile, Oscar is raised by his father as a Plymouth Brother but eventually ...

Based on the events in 1839, Amistad (1997) is an American historical drama film directed by Steven Spielberg. It depicts the story of Mende tribesmen who were abducted for the slave trade aboard the Spanish ship La Amistad. The men managed to overpower their captors and take control of the ship off the coast of Cuba. This led to an international legal battle after their capture by a U.S. revenue cutter named Washington. Eventually, the case was resolved by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1841. The film follows Cinqué, a captive who leads an uprising against the crew, resulting in most of them being killed. Pedro Montes and ...