Real-life Freedom Heroes (Fighters)
These are my favorite depictions of real-life freedom fighters. The main character is or was considered a champion for freedom during their lifetime and is based on a real-life person. This list focuses more on the performance of the actor or actress as opposed to the figure being portrayed in the film.
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- DirectorMel GibsonStarsMel GibsonSophie MarceauPatrick McGoohanScottish warrior William Wallace leads his countrymen in a rebellion to free his homeland from the tyranny of King Edward I of England.This tour-de-force has Mel Gibson acting AND directing. Its visually stunning and the acting is top-notch. Plus seeing Gibson in a kilt kicking ass is one for the ages, despite this film's inaccuracies. Note...Gibson is the only person on this list who won Oscars for a film depicting a real-life person but in Gibson's case, he won two Oscars -for Best Picture and Best Director.
- DirectorMichael Caton-JonesStarsLiam NeesonJessica LangeJohn HurtIn 1713 Scotland, Rob Roy MacGregor is wronged by a nobleman and his nephew, becomes an outlaw in search of revenge while fleeing the Redcoats, and faces charges of being a Jacobite.Whoever said Liam Neeson can't kick ass in a kilt gets whatever punishment is coming to them. Here, Neeson is Rob Roy who is hellbent on seeking revenge for the wrongs done to his wife and his people. The sword play between Neeson and Tim Roth is for the ages!!!!!!!!!!
- DirectorOliver StoneStarsKevin CostnerGary OldmanJack LemmonNew Orleans District Attorney Jim Garrison discovers there's more to the Kennedy assassination than the official story.Despite this film having such an amazing star-studded cast that even boast several Oscar and Emmy winners, this film belongs to Kevin Costner as Jim Garrison. The courtroom scenes alone in this film are gold.
- DirectorSteven SpielbergStarsTom HanksMark RylanceAlan AldaDuring the Cold War, an American lawyer is recruited to defend an arrested Soviet spy in court, and then help the CIA facilitate an exchange of the spy for the Soviet captured American U2 spy plane pilot, Francis Gary Powers.Hanks is the master of real-life dramas and this film shows you why. Here, he plays a lawyer who is trying to secure the release of Gary Powers from the Soviet Union after his plane is shot down. Hanks has the ability to make me forget about him and focus on the person he's playing. Amazing!
- DirectorRoland EmmerichStarsMel GibsonHeath LedgerJoely RichardsonPeaceful farmer Benjamin Martin is driven to lead the Colonial Militia during the American Revolution when a sadistic British officer murders his son.Gibson is at again, this time portraying Edward Fox. This film, directed by Edward Zwick, stirs me every time I watch it. When Gibson picks up a flag to use on the battlefield in man-to-man combat is just cinematic!
- DirectorRichard AttenboroughStarsDenzel WashingtonKevin KlineJosette SimonSouth African journalist Donald Woods is forced to flee the country after attempting to investigate the death in custody of his friend, the Black anti-Apartheid activist Steve Biko.Another film with Denzel Washington. Prior to Malcolm, Washington appeared in this film as Steven Biko. He captures the mannerism and voice of Biko. Like his portrayal of Malcolm X, he is Biko!
- DirectorSpike LeeStarsDenzel WashingtonAngela BassettDelroy LindoBiographical epic of the controversial and influential Black Nationalist leader, from his early life and career as a small-time gangster, to his ministry as a member of the Nation of Islam and his eventual assassination.Denzel Washington lends his acting talents to the role he previously played on stage to the big screen. Forget about everything else in this film and focus on Washington. He IS Malcolm X.
- DirectorRob ReinerStarsAlec BaldwinJames WoodsWhoopi GoldbergA Mississippi district attorney and the widow of Medgar Evers struggle to finally bring a white racist to justice for the 1963 murder of the civil rights leader.This film mainly belongs to two actors. First, Whoopi Goldberg as Ms. Myerlie Evers-Williams, the widow of Civil Rights activist, Medger Evers. The second actor who must be mentioned here is James Woods, who plays the man accused of killing Evers. He deserves a mention on this list because his performance is so chilling as a cold-blooded killer. These two actors make this story work.
- DirectorRichard AttenboroughStarsBen KingsleyJohn GielgudRohini HattangadiThe life of the lawyer who became the famed leader of the Indian revolts against the British rule through his philosophy of nonviolent protest.Ben Kingsley as Gandhi is worth watching this film. His mannerisms, facial expression and even the tonality of his voice bring this characterization to another level. He is Gandhi! Kingsley is the only actor on this list that won an Oscar for his role of the real-life person he played on screen.
- DirectorGary RossStarsMatthew McConaugheyGugu Mbatha-RawMahershala AliA disillusioned Confederate army deserter returns to Mississippi and leads a militia of fellow deserters and women in an uprising against the corrupt local Confederate government.Matthew McConaughey plays Newton Knight, a disillusioned Confederate soldier who mounts an assault on the local Confederate Army. This film made me take McConaughey seriously as an actor and illustrates why he should do more period dramas.