HISTORICAL FILMS
|
Ancient Times
Gladiator
Graphic and bloody, but concentrate on the way people lived at the time. Great to watch from a SPEC and PERSIA perspective. Also, observe the Roman Architecture.
Middle Ages
This is an excellent book to read, but there is a movie option. Ken Follett has done a wonderful job of showing the life in the Middle Ages. Guild life, church life, social class struggle, the role of women; this mini series has it all! It was originally shown on Starz. There was a follow up book and mini series called World Without End. It's pretty good too.
Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (Kevin Costner)
Robin Hood, Sheriff of Nottingham, and how the social structure worked in this time period all in this thriller. Observe the political structure, social structure, and how the Moor (Islamic character played by Morgan Freemen) is treated.
Guys get fighting and action; ladies get a little bit of a love story; and Ms. Duncan's fav movie line about cutting out a heart with a spoon. Oh, and Snape plays the Sheriff of Nottingham! |
The Messenger
Joan of Arc Film HIGHLY suggested by AP Euro teachers everywhere. Usually assigned as summer reading. Let me know if it's a keeper! There is an older version with Ingrid Bergman as Joan of Arc. If you watch it instead, let me know about it, too.
The Age of Discovery
1492
1492- Guess Who!
Protestant Reformation
French and American Revolutions
Music
The Revolutions of 1800's
Imperialism
The First World War
The Russian Revolution and Soviet Communism
Fascism and Dictatorship
The Second World War
The Longest DayPearl HarborFirst two hours is more love story than anything, but it does eventually get to the historical stuff when the attack begins. Watch through to the end - shows the other side's perspective.
Disclaimer: vet the historical inaccuracies! Emperor (2012)
Takes a look at Japan AFTER the war and nuclear bombings. Presents the case for not hanging the Emperor and handling of war criminals. Reminder, again, that this presents one side of the story and is only inspired by true events. The truth of the matter is usually more complex. The King's Speech (2010)
When the king dies, and his brother unexpectedly abdicates the throne, this "spare heir" to the throne is suddenly pushed into the limelight. This movie looks at how he overcomes his speech impediment. We get a glimpse of the future Queen Elizabeth as this is her father. |
Saving Private RyanGRAPHIC first 15 minutes that will be HARD TO WATCH but a perfect display of what those who stormed the beaches of Normandy would have faced. BTW, my hometown has one of the ships, LSTs docked as a floating museum in Evansville, IN. Google it.
DISCLAIMER: Rated R PattonPatton's Speech is one of the more motivating. Check it out.
The Darkest Hour (2017)
A close look at Winston Churchill as Chamberlain resigns during WWII and Britain takes on the challenge of repelling Hitler during the Battle of Dunkirk and the fall of France. Some of the events in the film make for good TV, but are not factual. However, it does a good job of showing Churchill and his personality as well as the hard choices Great Britain had to make during the early days of the war. |
The Cold War
I'm always looking for movies with art somewhere in the film. Here are a few that I've noticed plus some from other websites. Let me know if you find more!
Thomas Crowne Affair (1999)
There is an older version, but this one is awesome! There is Monet, Renoir, and others as a piece of art goes missing and Renee Russo's character is on the hunt for it. There is a painful scene when she burns a Renoir. It's enough to make you cry! Seriously, a good show!
Disclaimer: This movie is rated R and not recommended by Volusia County Schools. Be sure to get guardian permission before viewing.
There is an older version, but this one is awesome! There is Monet, Renoir, and others as a piece of art goes missing and Renee Russo's character is on the hunt for it. There is a painful scene when she burns a Renoir. It's enough to make you cry! Seriously, a good show!
Disclaimer: This movie is rated R and not recommended by Volusia County Schools. Be sure to get guardian permission before viewing.
Mona Lisa Smile
No only does this movie include art, but it also tackles the MRS Degree most women got in the 1950's and takes a look at scholarly learning, class differences, and even race in this 2003 movie with the wonderful Julia Roberts, Kirsten Dunst, Julia Stiles, Maggie Gyllenhal, and Ginnifer Goodwin.
There is a great scene on the first day where the class is looking at art slides, they know every one of them, and have read all of the textbook before the professor has even taught a class. Those were the days!
No only does this movie include art, but it also tackles the MRS Degree most women got in the 1950's and takes a look at scholarly learning, class differences, and even race in this 2003 movie with the wonderful Julia Roberts, Kirsten Dunst, Julia Stiles, Maggie Gyllenhal, and Ginnifer Goodwin.
There is a great scene on the first day where the class is looking at art slides, they know every one of them, and have read all of the textbook before the professor has even taught a class. Those were the days!
Mr. Peabody and Sherman (2014)
Not only is there art, but also a ton of history too! This one is in my personal collection of awesomeness!
Not only is there art, but also a ton of history too! This one is in my personal collection of awesomeness!
Monuments Men (2014)
All Star cast based on a true story, and book, about Hitler's collecting famous art throughout Europe. MANY works of art from our class are in this movie.
The Woman in Gold (2015)
Historical Drama of how famous Artist Gustav Klimt's Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer was returned to its rightful owner after being confiscated during WWII from the Jewish owner. Adele's niece, Maria Altmann, sets out on a journey to have the painting returned to her family. Austria and the Belvedere Palace Museum in Vienna is reluctant to provide restitution so Maria (played by Helen Mirren) enlists the help of a young lawyer (played by Ryan Reynolds) to get the painting back.
Historical Drama of how famous Artist Gustav Klimt's Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer was returned to its rightful owner after being confiscated during WWII from the Jewish owner. Adele's niece, Maria Altmann, sets out on a journey to have the painting returned to her family. Austria and the Belvedere Palace Museum in Vienna is reluctant to provide restitution so Maria (played by Helen Mirren) enlists the help of a young lawyer (played by Ryan Reynolds) to get the painting back.
Miscellaneous
Ever After (1998)
Think you know the story of Cinderella? Think again. This is my second favorite Cinderella story.
Think you know the story of Cinderella? Think again. This is my second favorite Cinderella story.
Man in the Iron Mask (1998)
A continuing tale of The Three Musketeers.
All the President's Men (1976)
While this one is quite a bit older, it's a well laid out look at the events leading up to the resignation of Richard Nixon. This movie is not endorsed by Volusia County Schools as is it rated R and should be watched only with guardian permission.
While this one is quite a bit older, it's a well laid out look at the events leading up to the resignation of Richard Nixon. This movie is not endorsed by Volusia County Schools as is it rated R and should be watched only with guardian permission.
Charlie Wilson's War (2007)
This one is also rate R and should be watched with guardian permission. It stars Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, and Philip Seymour Hoffman. It chronicles the way a Texas Congressman appropriates enough money to arm the Afghanistan rebels against the Soviets. I suggest following this movie up with reading Three Cups of Tea (novel).
This one is also rate R and should be watched with guardian permission. It stars Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, and Philip Seymour Hoffman. It chronicles the way a Texas Congressman appropriates enough money to arm the Afghanistan rebels against the Soviets. I suggest following this movie up with reading Three Cups of Tea (novel).
Good Morning Vietnam (1987)
This is one of my all time favorites! Robin Williams is phenomenal portraying this real life man and his efforts to keep the spirits up for soldiers during the Vietnam War. This one is rate R and should be watched with guardian permission.
This is one of my all time favorites! Robin Williams is phenomenal portraying this real life man and his efforts to keep the spirits up for soldiers during the Vietnam War. This one is rate R and should be watched with guardian permission.
Other sites: (and my resources)
*IMBD's Teaching Art Through Movies website
*Professor Hudelson's Page Duncan's suggestions from this page are True Lies, Any Indiana Jones film, Girl with a Pearl Earring, Ever After, and The Da Vinci Code
*Another webpage broken down into time periods
*IMBD's Teaching Art Through Movies website
*Professor Hudelson's Page Duncan's suggestions from this page are True Lies, Any Indiana Jones film, Girl with a Pearl Earring, Ever After, and The Da Vinci Code
*Another webpage broken down into time periods