When you know that the pictures are based on real facts, you start to worry even more about the main characters. Check out our list of the best historical films of 2020; foreign and Russian novelties will immerse you in an incredible atmosphere and tell about the greatest events of the past.
Togo
- USA
- Rating: IMDb - 8.3
- Actor Willem Dafoe starred in the film Van Gogh. On the threshold of eternity ”.
Details about the film
The real story of a sled dog from Alaska named Togo. In 1925, the city of Nome was seized by a terrible epidemic of diphtheria. Leonard Seppaloi, along with Togo and other sled dogs, became one of the leaders of the rescue mission to deliver drugs. Despite the dire weather conditions, Togo showed record speed and endurance. Frosts, storms, snowy and icy path could not prevent the successful completion of the operation.
Dark Waters
- USA
- Rating: IMDb - 7.6
- The film is based on an article by Nathaniel Rich titled "The Lawyer Who Becomes DuPont's Worst Nightmare." It was published in the well-known daily newspaper The New York Times.
Robert Bilott is a lawyer who is investigating a series of mysterious deaths associated with the activities of the large chemical company DuPont. The lawyer believes that the firm has cynically poisoned people for decades by polluting drinking water with chemicals. Robert does his best to draw public attention to a serious problem and receives threats from company representatives. Will an experienced lawyer be able to shed light on the truth and punish those responsible?
The Painted Bird
- Czech Republic, Slovakia, Ukraine
- Rating: IMDb - 7.3
- The main character has no name.
Details about the film
The Painted Bird is a fun movie to watch. The Second World War. Jews are subject to special persecution and constant persecution. Trying to save her child from death, the mother sends the boy to relatives in a village in Eastern Europe. The aunt who gave him shelter and food suddenly dies. The young hero remains completely alone. Wandering from house to house, he begins to better get to know the hostile world, whose laws are extremely harsh. The boy finds and loses loved ones, becomes a witness to inhuman cruelty, and himself irrevocably changes. Torture, persecution and abuse await him ...
Officer and Spy (J'accuse)
- France, Italy
- Rating: IMDb - 7.4
- The plot of the film is based on the novel of the same name by the English writer Robert Harris.
Alfred Dreyfus is an employee of the French intelligence service who is declared a particularly dangerous criminal and is exiled to a tropical island in the Atlantic Ocean. He is accused of spying for Germany. The head of the intelligence department, Georges Picard, conducts his own investigation into a complicated case, painted in nationalist tones. A kind of "secret folder" is used as the accusatory material, allegedly containing all the necessary evidence. Picard must try to do everything possible to find her and prove Alfred's innocence.
Farewell to Stalin (State Funeral)
- Netherlands, Lithuania
- Rating: IMDb - 6.9
- The death of Joseph Stalin meant the death of an era. Millions of people mourned the Leader in March 1953.
Details about the film
A documentary film about the funeral of Joseph Stalin, based on unique archival materials filmed in the USSR on March 5-9, 1953. The news of the death of the great dictator shocked the entire Soviet Union. Tens of thousands of citizens attended the Leader's funeral. The viewer will watch every stage of the funeral procession. The film is dedicated to the problem of Stalin's personality cult as a form of illusion caused by terror.
The Song of Names
- Canada, Hungary
- Rating: IMDb - 6.5
- The painting is based on the work of Norman Lebrecht "The Song of Names".
Details about the film
The Song of Names is an exciting film that has already been released. The tape is set in London in 1951. For a long time, Martin Simmons has not been able to find his childhood best friend - the talented violinist Dovild Rapoport, who disappeared on the night of his first concert. Years later, 56-year-old Martin never ceases to remember his friend. As a judge at the Newcastle Music Competition, he sees a young violinist who used the same playing technique as Rapoport. Martin tries to understand what happened on that fateful day and soon finds the reason why the gifted child prodigy did not show up for his debut concert.
Scandal (Bombshell)
- USA, Canada
- Rating: IMDb - 6.1
- The slogan of the film is "Based on a real scandal."
Details about the film
Scandal is a memorable film that is best watched with friends or family. The plot of the film tells the story of the notorious director of the informational Fox News channel Roger Ayles. He turned his channel into one of the most influential media outlets in the United States of America, exercised office and harassed beautiful female colleagues. They had to quit due to sexual harassment. Employees, unable to withstand the harassment, make a statement and ruin the brilliant career of their boss.
Seberg
- UK, USA
- Rating: IMDb - 4.7
- The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 7, 2019.
Details about the film
The acclaimed film actress Jean Seberg has long been in a romantic relationship with Hakim Jamal, an African American activist and civil rights activist for blacks. For this reason, the FBI, which runs the semi-legal "counterintelligence program" COINTELPRO, became interested in her. The ambitious agent Jack Solomon begins to spy on Gina.
Scarface (Fonzo)
- Canada, USA
- For Tom Hardy, this is the second attempt to play the famous gangster Al Capone. Previously, the actor was supposed to play this role in a film called "Cicero", but the tape never entered the production stage.
Details about the film
Once upon a time, Al Capone was a ruthless businessman and America's most powerful gangster of the 1920s and 1930s. Leaving prison after a ten-year sentence, he loses not only his power over the criminal Chicago, but also his peace of mind. Deprived of his former power, having lost all friends, suffering from syphilis, he recalls his former glory and becomes a hostage to his own memories. Al Capone spends the last days of his life surrounded by the ghosts of his bloody past.
Waiting for Anya
- Great Britain, Belgium
- Goldfinch has released its second feature film. The first was Sometimes Always Never (2018).
Details about the film
The tape is set in the south of France, in the village of Lesquin. Joe Lalande is a young shepherd who calmly enjoyed his childhood until the war broke out and he had to go to the front. Once, during a forest walk, the hero meets the Jew Benjamin, who is fleeing the Nazis. Despite the arrival of the Germans, the man refuses to flee abroad - he is waiting for the arrival of his daughter Anya. Together with his mother-in-law, Joe helps Jewish children cross the border into Spain, and in parallel, he develops a plan for Benjamin.
Heart of Parma
- Russia
- The picture "The Heart of Parma" claims to be the most difficult production project of Russian cinema. The tape will show many battle scenes and special effects.
Details about the film
The picture will tell about the confrontation between two worlds: the Great Moscow principality and the ancient Permian lands inhabited by pagans. Russian prince Mikhail fell in love with the witch-lamia Tiche, who can transform into a lynx. The hero will face a difficult choice between loyalty to Moscow and his love. Mikhail will have to endure many difficult trials, in which the main goal will be to preserve honor and dignity. The viewer will see bloody battles, a campaign against the Voguls, the battle between Muscovy and Parma.
Litvyak
- Russia
- The search engines continue to investigate the circumstances of the death of the pilot Lydia Litvyak.
Details about the film
During the Great Patriotic War, women made great efforts to liberate the country from German invaders. One of these heroines was the Soviet pilot Lydia Litvyak, who managed to shoot down 12 enemy aircraft. During the battle of Stalingrad, Lydia destroyed two German fighters. On August 1, 1943, the girl's plane took off for the last time and remained in the sky forever. She was less than 22 years old ...
The Personal History of David Copperfield
- UK, USA
- The slogan of the film is "From rags to riches ... and back."
Details about the film
The film tells about the fate and adventures of the young writer David Copperfield, who in his life went through the loss of loved ones, the tyranny of his stepfather, poverty and wanderings. After all the disappointments, David finds his love and a real calling. Copperfield is a symbol of an era in which you want to return again and again.
Minamata
- USA
- Director Andrew Levitas starred in the TV series "Handsome" (2004 - 2011).
Details about the film
Among the list of the best historical films of 2020, pay attention to the novelty "Minamata"; from the list of Russian and foreign paintings, this is one of the most anticipated works. 1970s. William Eugene Smith is an uncompromising photojournalist who travels to the small town of Minamata, Japan, on assignment from Life magazine. Here he makes a report, where he exposes an environmental crime that caused residents to suffer from the release of oil into the bay. It turns out that behind the terrible disaster was an influential chemical corporation that collaborated with the authorities and the corrupt police.
Kalashnikov
- Russia
- For the shooting of the picture, the scenery from the film "Ilyinsky Border" was used.
Details about the film
The novice self-taught designer Mikhail Timofeevich Kalashnikov faced difficult trials. In 1941, he became a tank commander, but was wounded near Bryansk and never returned to the war. During treatment in the hospital, the inventor made the first drawings of the weapon in a notebook and constantly reproached himself for sitting out in the rear. Kalashnikov works at the plant and takes part in the All-Union weapons competitions along with other designers. At the age of 29, Kalashnikov created a weapon that brought him worldwide fame - the AK-47. Mikhail Timofeevich lived an interesting life, but he was always tormented by one question: "How many guys would have survived if I had invented a machine gun earlier?"
321st Siberian
- Russia
- The slogan of the film is “Brotherhood is their weapon. Their goal is victory. "
Details about the film
1942, Battle of Stalingrad. Confident of an imminent victory, the German troops launched a swift siege of the city. But suddenly they are faced with fierce resistance from the fighters of the Red Army, among which are soldiers who have arrived from distant and cold Siberia. A small group under the command of Odon Sambuev begins a battle with the Nazis, three times their strength. The Germans caught the Soviet soldiers in a trap and closed them tightly in a ring. Together with Odon, his elder brother is also fighting, who promised his parents to bring their youngest son home, whatever the cost ...
Why "321st Siberian" hasn't come out yet - latest news, Hollywood support and an excerpt
Greyhound
- USA
- For Tom Hanks, this is the second film about the Second World War, in which he starred. The first is Saving Private Ryan.
Details about the film
The film tells about the exploits of an unknown naval officer who became a hero. In 1942, Ernst Krause became the new captain of the destroyer "Greyhound", who was given the dangerous task of leading several ships through the cold waters of the North Atlantic. This whole area is overflowing with enemy submarines. To carry out the assignment, Ernst will have to show a number of skills and talents, and in fact he has never even participated in military operations ...
Ilyinsky frontier
- Russia
- During the filming process, stuntman Oleg Shilkin died, he was crushed by a tank.
Details about the film
In 1941, Podolsk cadets were ordered to take up defenses on the Ilyinsky line and hold back the Nazis until reinforcements arrived. The boys, not sparing themselves, kept the defense to the end, knowing that they were unlikely to return home alive. The confrontation lasted 12 days. Most of the young guys stayed at the turn forever ...
"Ilyinsky frontier" - why the release of the film was so delayed
Firebird
- Estonia, UK
- Actor Nicholas Woodson starred in 007: Skyfall Coordinates.
Details about the film
The film is set in the 1970s in the Soviet Air Force. Against the backdrop of terrible military events, a dangerous and complex love triangle unfolds between the pretty secretary Louise, her best friend Sergei and fighter pilot Roman. How will the war end, and who can win the heart of an unapproachable girl?
Resistance
- France, USA, Germany, UK
- The mother of actor Jesse Eisenberg worked as a professional clown, just like Marceau.
Details about the film
In the center of the story is the famous French actor Marcel Marceau, who, together with his brothers Georges and Simon, were part of the Resistance during the Second World War. Having lost his father and many relatives in the Auschwitz death camp, Marseille is trying with all his might to resist the Nazi invaders in order to save the lives of tens of thousands of Jewish orphans, whose parents were killed by the Nazis. In this he is helped by his comedic talent and the art of pantomime.
Devyatayev
- Russia
- Alexander Devyatayev, son of Mikhail, said that the film would be based on the book of Devyatayev Sr. himself - "Escape from Hell".
Details about the film
Even as a child, Mikhail Devyatayev dreamed of conquering heaven. After returning from the army, the guy goes to the aviation school, and then goes to the front. In 1944, the hero took part in the battle near Lvov, but was shot down, after which he was taken prisoner and sent to a concentration camp on the island of Usedom in Germany. Staying in the prison camp did not break Mikhail's fighting spirit. He gathered a small group and escaped from Nazi captivity in a hijacked plane, taking with him the enemy's secret weapon - developments under the FAU 2 program.
Little Women
- USA
- "Little Women" is a screen version of the novel of the same name by writer Louise May Alcott.
Details about the film
The film is based on the story of the growing up and relationships of the four dissimilar March sisters who lived in the United States in the second half of the 19th century. Calm Meg, mischievous restless Josephine, shy Elizabeth and charming Amy grow up in the family of poor pastor Robert. Girls face problems that are relevant at all times: first love, bitter disappointment, difficult searches for themselves and their place in life. This film will make you think about a lot.
Zoe's last night
- Russia
- The Kosmodemyanskaya zone is often called the Russian Zhanna D'Ark.
Details about the film
The tape tells about the Soviet partisan Zoya Kosmodemyanskaya. The Soviet command ordered the girl to burn down several houses where the German invaders spent the night. Zoya managed to complete only part of the task - three houses were destroyed, but the girl herself was captured and sent to execution. Before her death, the brave Komsomol member made a great speech, urging all people to fight fascism. Zoya also spoke about the fact that the Russian people will never be broken.
Chernobyl. Abyss
- Russia
- Most of the filming took place in Zelenograd, at the Center for Informatics and Electronics.
Details about the film
The echoes of the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant are still heard. The film tells about the fireman Alexei, who is about to go on a dangerous sortie, from where he may never return. A man is not as simple as it seems at first glance.He is a petty speculator who signed up for a dangerous raid to get a three-room apartment in Crimea. The diver Boris and the engineer Volodya are sent with him, there is no time for training, you will have to act according to the circumstances ...
Silver skates
- Russia
- Cinematographers turned to visual effects company CGF.
Details about the film
Christmas Petersburg, 1899. A vibrant holiday life rages on ice-bound rivers and canals. The townspeople are eagerly awaiting the beginning of the new century, and in this magical winter bustle, fate brings together two people from completely different worlds. Matvey is the son of an ordinary lamplighter whose wealth comes down to silver skates. Alice is the daughter of a major dignitary, dreaming of science. Young people have a difficult history, but a chance meeting can make them follow their dreams together.
Waiting for the Barbarians
- Italy, USA
- Director Ciro Guerra worked for the first time in English with an international film crew and actors.
Details about the film
A magistrate lives in a small town on the border of the British Empire. A calm and measured life is interrupted by the declaration of a state of emergency and the arrival of Colonel Jolla of the Third Squad. His task is to find out if the indigenous peoples are preparing an attack on the city. To do this, Joll organizes an expedition to the outskirts, and the magistrate begins to doubt the Empire as such. The hero sees how the imperial soldiers deal with the barbarians they meet with special cruelty. Soon, the magistrate begins to care for a young barbarian who has been blinded as a result of torture.
True History of the Kelly Gang
- Australia, UK, France
- The first film about the Kelly gang was filmed in 1906, then in 1970, and the last film adaptation was released in 2003, starring actor Heath Ledger.
Details about the film
The True Story of the Kelly Gang is one of the most anticipated historical films of 2019-2020. The entire police were horrified at the mere mention of Ned Kelly's name. Little Ned grew up in a poor large family of Irish settlers. They survived difficult conditions and suffered the burden of unjust servants of the law. Suffering from the brutality of the colonial regime, young Kelly collects a gang of robbers and murderers. They robbed trains, banks, but not just for the sake of profit - the gang brought money to ordinary people and burned mortgages, thereby freeing them from debt. For his deeds, Ned received the nickname "Australian Robin Hood." The people supported Kelly and did not surrender him, but the police still caught the national hero of Australia ...
Archipelago
- Russia
- Mikhail Malakhov, curator of the Polar Meridian project, initiated the creation of the film.
Details about the film
The action of the film takes place at the turn of the 20th century, when an expedition of Russian scientists led by Alexander Vasiliev went to the Spitsbergen archipelago in order to measure the real size and shape of the globe. Until the middle of the 20th century, the model of the earth, calculated by the Russian astronomer A.S. Vasiliev, was considered the only world standard. The viewer will not only see how fearless scientists performed an ambitious task, but also witness a love story.
Tesla
- USA
- Ethan Hawke and Michael Almereida previously worked together in the thriller Hamlet (2000).
Details about the film
Nikola Tesla is an ingenious inventor working in the company of his American colleague Thomas Edison, who makes fun of the eccentric Serb. Despite the skepticism of others, Tesla creates a more powerful AC motor than Edison's. Nicola is fighting desperately against American pragmatism and uncompromisingly paving his own way in science.
Killers of the Flower Moon
- USA
- This is the first time that Scorsese, De Niro and DiCaprio have worked together in the same feature film.
Details about the film
The film is set in 1920. The plot revolves around the Osage Indian tribe, whose representatives live in the American city of Oklahoma. When oil was discovered on these lands, many of the natives became rich. But suddenly the Indians began to kill one by one. The massacres of tribal members attract the attention of the FBI, which begins its investigation.
Palm
- Russia
- The slogan of the picture is "The history of true friendship."
Details about the film
1977 year. Igor Polskiy leaves for another page and leaves the shepherd named Palma right on the runway. The abandoned dog remains at the airport to wait for the return of its beloved owner. Every day Palma waits for the owner to return, but time goes on ... One day, nine-year-old Kolya arrives at the airport, whose mother recently died. He and Palma become best friends. The boy will live with his father - pilot Vyacheslav Lazarev. Dad practically does not know his son, he will have to make a difficult choice between career and family. And the most important thing is to understand what to do when its real owner returns for the Palm.
Mank
- USA
- This is the first film directed by David Fincher to be presented in full black and white.
Details about the film
In the early 1920s, Herman Mankevich worked as an ordinary journalist and film critic, who once received a tempting offer to work as a screenwriter at the famous Paramount studio. During his cooperation with this company, he managed to write scripts for many famous films, and his most famous work was the drama "Citizen Kane" in 1941. However, the fame for the creation of the tape came only to the director, Herman himself remained aloof from success. Mankevich had to fight for the recognition of his authorship. Did he get justice?
Syrian Sonata
- Russia
- The film has an alternative title - "My Favorite".
Details about the film
At the center of the story are a military journalist and a talented director, who met during a business trip to Syria. Feelings flare up between them, but their first romantic evening in a foreign country becomes the last ... The hotel where they rested is seized by terrorists. A bloody hunt begins for the main characters. There is nowhere to be saved, only the journalist's ex-husband can help. True, they still have one tough and unresolved conflict. Now the fate of a man and a woman is in the hands of someone who has always dreamed of revenge. What will he do?
El-Alamein
- USA
- During the war, the losses of the Italian-German troops amounted to 55 thousand, the British lost about 14 thousand.
Details about the film
When British troops under the leadership of Bernard Montgomery clashed with Italian-German forces in North Africa, the German leadership decided to quickly send its forces to capture the Suez Canal. At this time, the British army suffered huge losses and was located near the town of El Alamein. In this place the most monstrous battles took place. The invaders confidently attacked the Egyptian city, inflicting a frontal blow on the British 8th Army. Despite the catastrophic situation, General Montgomery managed to prepare a clever trap for the enemy, thanks to which the course of the battle was turned in favor of the British.
Prisoner 760
- USA
- The film is based on the book "Diary of Guantanamo".
Details about the film
Mohammed Ould Slahi spent fourteen long years in Guantanamo prison without charge. Having lost all hope of salvation, a man can only count on lawyer Nancy Hollander and her assistant Teri Duncan, trying to get justice for their client. Together they manage to get closer to the goal and increase the chances of Slahi's acquittal. Their investigation leads to shocking reports of a global conspiracy and the activities of the military attorney, Lieutenant Stuart Couch.
Desperate Move (The Last Full Measure)
- This is one of the last works of actor Peter Fonda, who died of lung cancer in the summer of 2019.
Details about the film
Desperate Move, the upcoming 2020 historical film on the Best Picture List; among Russian and foreign novelties, this is the expected tape on the list. William Pitsenbarger is a military doctor who saved more than 60 colleagues during a special operation during the Vietnam War. Despite the heroic actions, the medic was never given the Order of Honor. 34 years later, Pentagon investigator Scott Huffman is investigating to understand why the award did not find a hero. Teaming up with an eyewitness to the events, Huffman learns of a conspiracy to cover up the mistake of the top leadership of the US Army.