1. Oskar Schindler (as Liam Neeson) in “Schindler’s List” – 1993 - Biography/History 195min
German industrial sudeto, spy and Nazi Party member who saved about 1200 Jews during the Holocaust by employing them in his factories and varnish ammunition, located in present Poland and Czech Republic, respectively.
The film was a box office success and earned 7 Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director (Spielberg), as well as many other awards (including 3 Golden Globes and 7 BAFTA’s).
In 2007, the American Film Institute chose Schindler’s List as the eighth best film in history. It is considered as one of the best films ever made.
2. Henry Hill (as Ray Liotta) in “Good Fellas” – 1990 - Biography/Crime 146min
Henry Hill was a former Italian/Irish mobster, and former member of the Luchese family, one of the five Mafia families of New York. He denounced his fellow mobsters and integrates the Witness Protection System FBI.
It was nominated for 6 Oscars in 1991, including Best Picture and Best Director (Scorsese won in the category of Best Supporting Actor Joe Pesci). The film also won 5 BAFTA’s (including Best Film and Best Director).
The word “fuck” was used 321 times. Half of them were said by Joe Pesci.
3. Wladyslaw Szpilman (as Adrien Brody) in “The Pianist” 2002 - Biography/War 150min
Władysław Szpilman was a Polish pianist. Born into a Jewish family, he worked as a pianist in Warsaw for the Polish Radio until the invasion of Poland by Germany in 1939.
The Pianist was nominated for 7 Oscars, including the categories of Best Film and won for Best Director (Roman Polanski), Best Actor (Adrien Brody) and Best Adapted Screenplay (Ronald Harwood). The film also won other awards, including 2 BAFTA’s, 6 Cesars and a Golden Palm.
4. Jordan Belfort (as Leonardo DiCaprio) in “The Wolf of Wall Street” 2013 – Biography/Crime 180min
An American motivational speaker and former stockbroker. He was convicted of fraud crimes related to stock market manipulation.
The Wolf of Wall Street has polarized audiences. The Los Angeles Times contends that marketing of the film attracted conservatives spectators with high morals that conflict with morality portrayed in the film. Others have criticized the film for his insufficiently way to portray the victims of those crimes.
5. William Wallace (as Mel Gibson) in “Braveheart” 1995 – Biography 177min
William Wallace was a Scottish warrior who has led his compatriots in the resistance to English domination enforced by the reign of Edward I. Wallace defeated the English in several battles, culminating in the birth of the Scottish state.
Braveheart received 10 Academy Award nominations, won 5 categories, including Best Picture and Best Director (for Mel Gibson).
6. Jake La Motta (as Robert De Niro) in “Raging Bull” 1980 – Biography/Drama 129min
The son of Italian immigrants, who becomes middleweight boxer and was known as “The Bronx Bull”.
In 1941, at age 19, he started professional boxing fight. With 83 wins (30 knockouts), 19 losses and 4 draws, La Motta was the first man who has won Sugar Ray Robinson, creating a rivalry that would yield 6 memorable fights.
Raging Bull was nominated for Academy Award for Best Leading Actor (Robert De Niro) and a Golden Globe in the category of Best Motion Picture Actor – Drama (also Robert De Niro).
7. Joseph Merrick (as John Hurt) in “Elephant Man” 1980 – Biography 124min
An English citizen, known as Elephant Man because of his physical appearance caused by a congenital disease. The condition of Joseph hugely affected his social relationships and self-image.
In 1981 has received 3 BAFTA Award for Best Film, Best Actor (John Hurt) and Best Art Direction. in 1982 also won the Cesar Award for Best Foreign Film.
8. Adolf Hitler (as Bruno Ganz) in “Der Untergang” 2004 – Biography/History 156min
Political and military and leader of the National Socialist German Workers Party. Later became chancellor and dictator of Germany
The World War II on his hands, killed 50 to 70 million people.
The film was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.
9. Christopher McCandless (as Emile Hirsch) in “Into the Wild” 2007 – Biography 148min
Also known as Alexander Supertramp, was an American explorer who died near Denali National Park after hiking alone in the Alaskan wilderness, with little food and survival equipment.
Into the Wild, won a few awards, like a Gotham Award de Melhor Filme. In Palm Springs International Film Festival won for Director of the Year Award (Sean Penn) and a Rising Star Award Actor (Emile Hirsch).
10. ? (as ) in “Casino” 1995 Biography/Crime 178min
11. John Nash (as Russell Crowe) in “A Beautiful Mind” 2001 – Biography 135min
American mathematician who battled against his illness (schizophrenia), and won the Economic Sciences Prize in Memory of Alfred Nobel.
Won an Oscar in 2002 in the categories of Best Picture (Brian Grazer and Ron Howard), Best Adapted Screenplay (Akiva Goldsman), director (Ron Howard) and Best Supporting Actress (Jennifer Connelly). Also in 2002, won the MTV Movie Award of Best Male Performance (Russell Crowe).
12. Solomon Northup (as Chiwetel Ejiofor) in “Twelve Years a Slave” 2013 – Biography/History 134min
Solomon Northup, was a farmer and violinist black who was kidnapped in Washington DC. He has been attracted to Saratoga Springs, NY, in 1841, and sold as a slave. He worked on plantations in the state of Louisiana for 12 years before his release.
In 2014 has won 3 awards, Best Picture, Best Supporting Actress (Lupita Nyong’o) and Best Adapted Screenplay.
13. Gerry Conlon (as Daniel Day-Lewis) in “In the Name of the Father” 1993 – Biography/History 133min
Gerry Conlon and 3 friends spent more than 10 years in prison, accused of participation in the IRA attack in 1974, against the “pub” Horse and Groom, Guildford, near London. The attack has killed 4 soldiers and one civilian.
Also known as the Guildford Four, victims of judicial error by the United Kingdom.
In Berlin Film Festival of 1994 received the Golden Bear and in Italy, received David di Donatello Award for Best Foreign Film.
14. Yip Kai-Man (as Donnie Yen) in “Yip Man” 2008 – Biography 106min
The first martial arts master to teach the Chinese martial art of Wing Chun. Yip Man was living getting into fights which always won thanks to the efficiency of his kung fu. He also has taught our great legend Bruce Lee.
This film took at the Hong Kong Film Awards, an awards for Best Action Scene, and Best Picture.
15. George VI (as Colin Firth) in “The King’s Speech” 2010 – Biography/History 118min
Alberto assumed the title “George VI”, to highlight the continuation of legacy of his father and restore confidence in the monarchy. Without expecting reach the throne, was the last Emperor of India and first head of the British community.
In 2011, The King’s Speech won an Academy Award in the categories of Best Film, Best Actor (Colin Firth), Best Director (Tom Hooper) and Best Original Screenplay.
16. Ramón Sampedro (as Javier Bardem) in “The Sea Inside” 2004 – Biography 125min
Spanish sailor and writer. Tetraplegic since his 25 years, has fought in court for his right to die with dignity. His request was denied because the Criminal Code did not allow assisted suicide.
The Sea Inside won several awards, for example, in 2004 won an European Film Award for the categories of Best Director (Alejandro Amenábar) and Best Actor (Javier Bardem).
In 2005 won an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film of the Year.
17. Mahatma Gandhi (as Ben Kingsley) in “Gandhi” 1982 – Biography/History 191min
Gandhi, founder of the modern Indian state and the greatest supporter of Satyagraha. The title of Mahatma Gandhi is assigned to an acknowledgment of his role as spiritual leader.
In 1983 won a BAFTA award in the Best Actor (Ben Kingsley), Best Direction (Richard Attenborough) and Best Film (also Richard Attenborough). Also won an Oscar in many categories such as Best Picture (Richard Attenborough), Best Actor in a Leading Role (Ben Kingsley) and Best Director (Richard Attenborough).
18. Jean Dominique Bauby (as Mathieu Amalric) in “The Diving Bell and the Butterfly” 2007 – Biography 112min
Bauby was an editor of the famous fashion magazine Elle for several years. In 1995 he suffered a serious cerebral vascular accident and lapsed into a coma. After 20 days, he could just flash the left eye because an uncommon syndrome.
At the 2007 Cannes Film Festival, won the Award for Best Director (Julian Schnabel). Also won an Golden Globe for Best Foreign Language Film, and another for Best Director.
19. Ron Woodroof (as Matthew McConaughey) in “Dallas Buyers Club” 2013 – Biography/History 117min
Electrician worker, Woodroof was diagnosed with AIDS in 1986. With short lifetime, he found drugs available in other countries but not in the United States. So decided distributed AIDS medication through an underground network called “Dallas Buyers Club”.
Dallas Buyers Club had 52 wins and 28 nominations. Some of his wins, an Oscar in Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role (Matthew McConaughey) and Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role (Jared Leto). In the 2014 MTV Music Awards won the prize Best On-Screen Transformation (Jared Leto).
20. Von Trapp Family, Marine’s Captain Georg Von Trapp (as Christopher Plummer) in “The Sound of Music” 1965 – Biography 174min
Von Trapp have been a family of Austrian singers. Georg Von Trapp had seven children, widower and bankrupt, began a career in the music world.
The Sound of Music won 17 awards, like an Oscar in the Best Picture (Robert Wise), Best Director (also Robert Wise) and Best Film Editing (William Reynolds). The movie was also been nominated for a BAFTA for Best British Actress category (Julie Andrews).
21. James Braddock (as Russell Crowe) in “Cinderella Man” 2005 – Biography/History 144min
American boxer heavyweight category in the 30s. Braddock started his life as a professional boxer in 1926, when he was 21. Living in extreme poverty after the crisis of 1929, Braddock left the ring and began working as a dockworker.
With 17 wins and 29 nominations, Cinderella Man won an AFI International Award for Best Actor (Russell Crowe) in 2005. In 2005 and 2006, won the Award Vancouver Film Critics Circle and Toronto Film Critics Association Award for the same categories, Best Supporting Actor (Paul Giamatti), respectively.
22. Frank Abagnale Jr. (as Leonardo DiCaprio) in “Catch Me if You Can” 2002 – Biography 141min
In the 60′s, Frank Abagnale Jr. was a checks counterfeiter. Only in five years, has embodied a pediatrician in a Georgia hospital, disguised himself as a pilot for Pan Am airline and also faked a degree from Harvard University in advocacy.
23. Christy Brown (as Daniel Day-Lewis) in “My Left Foot” 1989 – Biography 103min
Christy Brown born with severe cerebral palsy, a neurological disorder which left him almost entirely in his spastic limbs. He was able to write or type only with the toes of one foot, his left. In his entire life, he painted and wrote some great works one of which his own biography that led to the making of this film in 1989.
This movie won an Oscar in 1990 for the categories of Best Leading Actor (Daniel Day-Lewis) and Best Supporting Actress (Brenda Fricker). Also won the BAFTA for Best Actor (Daniel Day-Lewis) and Best Supporting Actor (Ray McAnally).
24. Edward Davis Wood Jr. (as Johnny Depp) in “Ed Wood” 1994 – Biography 127min
Wood Jr. was a producer and director of horror films, science fiction and some erotic rating. In many reviews of other filmmakers, was considered the “worst filmmaker” of all time and the entire planet. Also he joined the U.S. Marine Corps to fight in World War II.
The film about this legendary director of awful movies, won 25 awards and was nominated for another 13.
25. Dicky Ecklund/Micky Ward (as Christian Bale and Mark Wahlberg, ) in “The Fighter” 2010 – Biography 116min
Micky Ward was a boxer in middleweights category, American Irish descendant who had an eventful career. He was trained by his half-brother Dicky, crackhead ex-boxer.
This brilliant film was nominated for 55 awards and won a total of 45, such as an Academy Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role (Christian Bale) and Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role (Melissa Leo). A Golden Globe for the same categories and an AFI award for Movie of the Year (David Hoberman, Todd Lieberman and Mark Wahlberg).
26. Mark Zuckerberg (as Jesse Eisenberg) in “The Social Network” 2010 – Biography 120min
Mark Zuckerberg was studying at Harvard when he became known worldwide in 2004 after founding the biggest social network of today. Mark is CEO of Facebook and has a estimated fortune of 25.3 billion dollars.
The Social Network won about 107 awards and was nominated for more than 80. David Fincher won for Best Director.
27. Frank Lucas (as Denzel Washington) in “American Gangster” 2007 – Biography/Crime 157min
Belonging to the mafia and a drug dealer, Frank Lucas was known as Don Corleone. He moved to New York in 1946 and started working for Bumpy Johnson, as a driver and bodyguard for 15 years. Following the death of “Bumpy”, only in 5 years, was able to raise more than 250 million dollars, but in 1975 was arrested and sentenced to 70 years in jail. So Frank Lucas has lost all that money to be conditionally released.
In 2008, American Gangster won an Empire Award for Best Thriller.
28. Joe Pistone (as Johnny Depp) in “Donnie Brasco” 1997 – Biography/Crime 127min
Joseph Dominick Pistone worked 17 years in the FBI and was in the long term undercover agent. He used as a pseudonym Donnie Brasco in order to infiltrate between 2 large families of mobsters. In 1997, the movie Donnie Brasco, was inspired on mission of Pistone.
Al Pacino won the Boston Society of Film Critics Award, unanimously, in the category of Best Actor.
29. Idi Amin (as Forest Whitaker) in “The Last King of Scotland” 2006 – Biography/History 123min
Amin was a military dictator and third President of Uganda from 1971 to 1979. Amin’s government was characterized by human rights abuses, political repression, ethnic persecution, murders, nepotism, corruption and economic mismanagement.
The Last King of Scotland portrays the atrocities of Idi Amin.
This movie has stored 38 wins and 24 nominations. Forest Whitaker won an Academy Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role.
30. Harvey Milk (as Sean Penn) in “Milk” 2008 – Biography/History 128min
Milk was the 1st openly gay man to be elected as a city supervisor of San Francisco. In 70′s, moved into Castro, the most famous gay neighborhood in the world.
In 2002, Milk was called “the most famous and most significant political openly LGBT elected already in the United States.”
Between 2008 and 2010, Milk has received 47 awards and 66 nominations.
31. Jack Kevorkian (as Al Pacino) in “You Dont’t Know Jack” 2010 – Biography 134min
Jack Kevorkian graduated in Pathology and struggled for making assisted suicide a right for everyone. Has supported more than 130 terminal patients in the United States to put an end to their lives through euthanasia.
Even today, Jack is acknowledged as Dr. Death.
You Don’t Know Jack, won 6 awards and was nominated for another 26. In 2011, Al Pacino has received a Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actor in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television.
32. Aron Ralston (as James Franco) in “127 Hours” 2010 – Biography 94 min
In 2003, Aron Lee Ralston became known for amputate his right arm to free himself from a rock that was trapped in Blue John Canyon. The amazing story of this man, who survived five days with restricted food and only with 350mL of water, approx.
In 2011, received an AFI Award for Movie of the Year (Christian Colson, Danny Boyle and John Smithson) also was appointed to 89 categories.
33. Emiliano Zapata (as Marlon Brando) in “Viva Zapata!” 1952 – Biography/History 113min
Mexico was already dominated by the dictatorship of Porfirio Díaz, when Emiliano was born. Zapata became a hero and an important leader in the Mexican Revolution of 1910.
In 1953, Viva Zapata! won an Oscar for Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Anthony Quinn) and was nominated for another 8 prizes.
34. Christiane F (as Natja Brunckhorst) in “Christiane F - Wir Kinder vom Bahnhof Zoo” 1981 Biography/Drama 138min
In 1968, Christane moved into Berlin and at age 12 began to consume drugs such as Valium and Mandrix, and LSD. At David Bowie’s concert, she inhaled the latest drug of that moment, heroin. Since then, sank in the addiction until prostitute herself for cash.
This film earned a Golden Screen Award in 1981.
35. Bobby Sands (as Michael Fassbender) in “Hunger” 2008 – Biography/History 96min
Sands was an Irish Catholic and military leader of the IRA. He was the leader of the 1981 hunger strike in Maze prison. Together with other prisoners protested against the removal of Special Category Status by resisting 66 days hungry.
Hunger has received a British Independent Film Award in 2008 for Best Actor (Michael Fassbender) and an Evening Standard British Film Award in 2009 as Best Film (Steve McQueen).
36. Abraham Lincoln (as Daniel Day-Lewis) in “Lincoln” 2012 – Biography/History 150min
Lawyer and politician, Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States and has held such post from 1861 until his assassination in 1865 at the Ford’s Theatre. He led the country in a successful manner during the U.S. Civil War.
This film won about 65 awards and was appointed to more than 100.
37. Andy Kaufman (as Jim Carrey) in “Man on the Moon” 1999 – Biography/Drama 118min
Kaufman was one performatic actor in the ’70s and ’80s. Despite his troubled career, his irreverent and creative figures have made him famous in the United States. He imitated Elvis Presley and enjoyed success on Saturday Night Live.
Man on the Moon has received a Golden Globe in the category of Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Comedy/Musical (Jim Carrey) in 2000.
38. Charles Spencer Chaplin (as Robert Downey Jr.) in “Chaplin” 1992 – Biography 143min
Chaplin has been considered one of most famous actors of the silent film era. He wrote, produced and financed his own films and in 1926 the fortunes of Chaplin reached 825 thousand U.S. dollars.
Known for having many love relationships, had 11 children with 3 different women.
This film earned 3 wins and 14 nominations.
39. Howard Hughes (as Leonardo DiCaprio) in “The Aviator” 2004 – Biography/Drama 170min
Hughes always been highly protected by his mother, who suffered from Mysophobia. With this concern always been isolated and then has grown with an unfriendly perception of the outside world. However became aviator, aircraft engineer, industrialist, film producer, film director and one of the richest men in the world.
The aviator had a total of 60 wins and 71 nominations between 2004 and 2006.
40. Queen Elizabeth II (as Helen Mirren) in “The Queen” 2006 – Biography/Drama 103min
The Crowning of the Queen was taken in 1953 following the death of her grandmother. Nearly 120 million people watched around the world.
With a total of 65 wins and 59 nominations, Helen Mirren won a few awards as Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role.
41. Vincent Willem van Gogh (as Jacques Dutronc) in “Van Gogh” 1991 – Biography/Drama 158min
Gogh was considered one of the greatest post-impressionist painters of all time. His life was marked by huge failures, like not having built family and unable to hold social contacts. At 37, committed suicide a few years after living with a severe mental disorder.
In 1992, the movie Van Gogh won a Cesar for Best Male Actor (Jacques Dutronc).
42. Truman Capote (as Philip Seymour Hoffman) in “Capote” 2005 – Biography/Crime 114min
Regarded as the most famous writers of the twentieth century. His parents got divorced when he was four, being practically raised by his uncles. Of huge literary works, the most well known “in cold blood” from 1966, depicts the massacre of a family in Kansas.
Capote had problems of excess alcohol, which has led to his death in 1984.
From 2005 to 2007, this giant film received an Academy Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role (Philip Seymour Hoffman), a Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama (Philip Seymour Hoffman) and other 56 prizes.
43. Frida Kahlo (as Salma Hayek) in “Frida” 2002 – Biography/Drama 123min
Kahlo was born in the house of her parents in 1907. The house was known as “blue house” in which four years following the death of Frida, has become a museum with all his works. At 18, she has learned the art of drawing, modeling and technique of printmaking. In 1928 joined the Mexican Communist Party.
This movie raked in 19 wins and 30 nominations.
44. Gertrude Baniszewski (as ) in “An American Crime” 2007 – Biography/Crime 98min
Became known for torturing until death Sylvia Likens, a 16 young girl in Indiana. Gertrude suffered from chronic depression, the result of failed marriages. Along with her 7 children, began early to abuse and mistreat Sylvia.
An American Crime was only appointed to 3 awards into the following categories, Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actress in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television (Catherine Keener), Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie (Catherine Keener) and WGA Award (TV) for Long Form – Original (Tommy O’Haver and Irene Turner).
45. Aileen Wuornos (as Charlize Theron) in “Monster” 2003 – Biography/Crime 109min
Abandoned by her parents, spent his childhood with her grandparents. her face has been marked with scars that have arisen from self-injurious behaviors during teenage years. Became pregnant by her own brother and in 1971 began to prostitute herself. After be violated by a customer, killed nearly 6 men. Wuornos was known by the 1st woman serial killer in the United States.
Charlize Theron has won most of the awards, providing a total of 21 wins and 15 nominations.
46. Gladys Aylward (as Ingrid Bergman) in “The Inm of the Sixth Happiness” 1958 – Biography/Drama 158min
Aylward was a British evangelical Christian missionary. She Became a housemaid at an early age, but always studied in order to be acknowledged and sent to China. in 1938, Japanese forces invaded China, so has helped nearly 100 children orphans taking them to the mountains of Yangcheng County.
In 1959 won a Golden Globe for Best Film Promoting International Understanding.
47. Ron Kovic (as Tom Cruise) in “Born on the Fourth of July” 1989 – Biography/War 145min
On 1968, Kovic was shot first in the right foot, which blew out the back of his heel, then again through the right shoulder, suffering a lung collapsed and a spinal cord injury that left him paralyzed from the chest down. After his serious accident, Kovic has become an anti-war activist.
From 1989 to 1991, this film was appointed to 17 awards and won 15, including Oliver Stone as Best Director and Tom Cruise as Best Actor.
48. Ernesto “Che” Guevara (as Benicio Del Toro) in “Che: Part One” 2008- Biography/History 134min
Che was a politician, journalist, writer and Argentine-Cuban doctor who headed the Cuban Revolution from 1953 to 1959. was regarded by the magazine “Time”, one of the hundred most important figures of the XX century.
Part-One has won 3 awards and was appointed to 9.
49. Henry Lee Lucas (as Michael Rooker) in “Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer” 1986 – Biography/Crime 83min
Henry Lee Lucas confessed to being involved in 600 murders the equivalent of about one death per week. The presumed murders took place between 1975 and 1983.
In Fantasporto of 1991, this movie received an International Fantasy Film Award for Best Film (John McNaughton), Best Actor (Michael Rooker)
Best Actress (Tracy Arnold) and Best Screenplay (Richard Fire and John McNaughton).
50. Nathaniel Ayers (as Jamie Foxx) in “The Soloist” 2009 – Biography/Drama 117min
Nathaniel learned to play double bass in high school. Has been diagnosed with schizophrenia and in 2000, his mother, with whom he lived, died. Moved into Los Angeles and became homelessness.
The soloist won the Prism Award for Feature Film-Mental Health in 2010.