Twenty Inspirational Films

Author: Tatiana Lestal

Films are not only a source of entertainment but a vehicle through which to be educated and moved. We know when we have seen a great film because we end up talking about it to all our friends and think about it for days afterwards. Inspirational films can be a starting point to make changes in our own lives, to appreciate what we have or to pursue our dreams. Inspirational films empower us, expanding our notion of what is possible.

Here are my top twenty inspirational films –

1. Defiance (2008) A heroic true story of the Bielski brothers, Belarusian Jewish resistance fighters who fought against Nazi occupation during World War II and saved thousands of Jewish lives. Starring Daniel Craig & Liev Schreiber

2. Schindler’s List (1993) The remarkable story of Oskar Schindler who saved thousands of Polish Jews during the Holocaust by employing them in his factories. Starring Liam Neeson and Ben Kingsley

3. Braveheart (1995) The story of William Wallace, the heroic Scottish warrior who fought for Scottish independence during the rule of King Edward I of England. Starring Mel Gibson

4. The Sound of Music (1965) The enchanting story of the talented von Trapp family who fled Austria to escape Nazi rule. Starring Christopher Plummer and Julie Andrews

5. The Hurricane (1999) The true story of Rubin “Hurricane” Carter, an up and coming boxer wrongly accused of a triple murder for which he served 20 years in prison. Starring Denzel Washington

6. Not Without my Daughter (1991) True life escape story of American woman Betty Mahmood betrayed by her Iranian husband. He takes her and their daughter to Iran for a holiday to meet the family but once there declares they are to stay in the country permanently. Robbed of freedom, liberties and dignity in a repressed society and watching her husband transform from the loving man she once knew into someone she could barely recognize, Mahmoody executes her escape against seemingly insurmountable odds. Starring Sally Field.

7. Sophie Scholl – Die letzten Tage (2005) Recounts the true story of Sophie Scholl, a university student and active member of the White Rose, a non-violent resistance group in Nazi Germany. After making a stand against the iniquities and atrocities of the Third Reich, Sophie and her brother were executed by the authorities. The siblings are considered national heroes in Germany today. Starring Julia Jentsch

8. My Left Foot (1989) The true story of Christy Brown, an Irishman born with cerebral palsy who could control only his left foot. He overcame incredible obstacles to become an accomplished writer and artist. Starring Daniel Day-Lewis.

9. The Count of Monte Cristo (2002) One of Alexandre Dumas’s great works brought to life on the screen. The story of a young innocent man who suffers betrayal and injustice by those he trust. Imprisoned for years until he makes his escape, he reclaims his life, his love and his dignity. A tale of vengence, forgiveness, mercy and hope.Starring Jim Caviezel and Guy Pierce

10. The Pursuit of Happyness (2006) The biographical film of Chris Gardner, a homeless man who rises from poverty to become a self made millionaire.Starring Will Smith

11. Apollo 13 (1995) The ill fated lunar mission that miraculously saw the astronauts return safely home. Starring Tom Hanks

12. Rocky (1976) The rags to riches story of Rocky Balboa, an uneducated, good hearted man with a talent for boxing. Conquers the odds of becoming world heavy weight champion. Starring Sylvester Stallone

13. The Color Purple (1985) The powerful story of a woman’s struggle during 1930’s Georgia.The film addresses numberous issues – racism, sexism, prejudice, and abuse within different relationships. Based on the Alice Walker novel, winner of the 1983 Pulitzer prize for fiction. Starring Whoopi Goldberg and Oprah Winfrey

14. The Shawshank Redemption (1994) Two imprisoned menbond and form a friendship, finding solace and redemption through acts of common decency. Starring Morgan Freeman and Tom Robbins

15. Hotel Rwanda (2004) True story of hotelier Paul Rusesabagina who saved thousands of refugees lives by providing them shelter in his hotel during the Rwandan Genocide. Starring Don Cheadle

16. The Great Escape (1963) The escape by Allied prisoners of war from a German POW camp during WWII. Starring Steve McQueen

17. Forrest Gump (1994) Delightful tale of a simple man and his journey through life. He experienced first hand historical events which influenced popular culture. Starring Tom Hanks

18. One Flew Over the Cockoo’s Nest (1975) A man avoids prison time by pretending to be mad. Instead of being aquitted, his plan backfires when he is sent to a mental asylum. Adjusting to his new suroundings he tries to liven up the place and motivates the other patients which gives them some respite from their deary existence. StarringJack Nicholson

19. Touching the Void (2003) The true life survival story of Joe Simpson and his distastrous mountain expedition to Siula Grande in Peru.

20. Under the Tuscan Sun (2003) A woman leaves her cheating husband and starts a new life in Italy. Deciding to follow her heart and pursue her dreams, she buys and renovates an old house and makes it her home. This leads to new adventures, experiences and love. Starring Diane Lane

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/movies-articles/twenty-inspirational-films-1924974.html

About the Author

Tatiana Lestal is a Sydney based writer working in the Australian film industry. She is passionate about film and an avid fan of French cinema. Tatiana has been involved in the running of many film festivals and in the production of short films. In her spare time Tatiana’s interests include travel, photography, chess and comedy skit writing.