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Films based on true stories - do you like them? - your favourites?
Victoria Sponge
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If you are watching a film and enjoying it, do you like it more, knowing its based on a true story? Or does it not make a difference to your perception of the film?
While watching 'In Pursuit of Happyness' yesterday I think it made it more poignant and emotional knowing that it was based on a true story. The sad scenes seemed even more sad, and the happy ending seemed happier. I sympathised with the characters more, knowing that they were 'real' people in 'real' situations.
I started watching 'Blow' last night, and that's definitely my sort of film, I find anything to do with the history of the drug trade very interesting, more so of its based on real events, as Blow is (will watch the rest tonight).
One of my favourite films is 'Midnight Express', based on the book written by Billy Hayes about his experiences in a Turkish prison after trying to smuggle out hashish.
I think I do generally favour films based on true stories, even if they are a little over dramatised for entertainment value. I tend to find them more compelling.
Which are your favourite films based on true stories?
While watching 'In Pursuit of Happyness' yesterday I think it made it more poignant and emotional knowing that it was based on a true story. The sad scenes seemed even more sad, and the happy ending seemed happier. I sympathised with the characters more, knowing that they were 'real' people in 'real' situations.
I started watching 'Blow' last night, and that's definitely my sort of film, I find anything to do with the history of the drug trade very interesting, more so of its based on real events, as Blow is (will watch the rest tonight).
One of my favourite films is 'Midnight Express', based on the book written by Billy Hayes about his experiences in a Turkish prison after trying to smuggle out hashish.
I think I do generally favour films based on true stories, even if they are a little over dramatised for entertainment value. I tend to find them more compelling.
Which are your favourite films based on true stories?
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Either the crime/drug genre or an uplifting one i.e. Erin Brocovich - I watched this for the first time last week and absolutely loved it!
So yes, I love films based on true stories x
Alive & Shawshank
Favourite films in this genre would include Braveheart, Schindler's List, Citizen Kane, A Night To Remember, Raging Bull and Zodiac.
Yes it gets even more complicated when the events are mostly real but some of the characters aren't! I enjoyed "The Last King of Scotland" knowing some of the events and people were of course real but the James McAvoy character was fiction.
By the way, re. The Pursuit of Happyness, is there a reason why "happiness" is spelt that way?
Others have mentioned Goodfellas. That's one of my favourites too.
Stewart Lee had a superb part of his show about this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHA1ufmLZQY
You won't be disappointed, Vic.
Thanks. Really didn't fancy trawling the internet trying to find out.
Cool Runnings
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
Lawrence of Arabia
Whatever gave him that idea?!
Anyway, some of my favourite "true life" stories:
Walk The Line
Amazing Grace
The Aviator
Goodfellas
Zodiac
Valkyrie (although, not much suspense in that one!)
Tell him he's confusing that with Kelly's Heroes
That's his idea of trying to make people think he's clever. We were discussing Where Eagles Dare and he put on his pompous professor act and said "That's a true story, you know."
Mind you that's from someone who thinks Jack the Ripper and Springheeled Jack were the same person.
He sounds hilarious.
I knew someone like that. Also called Dave, oddly enough!