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MOVIES ON BRITISH & AMERICAN HISTORY

The Canterbury Tales DVD ~ Michael Balfour "Canterbury Tales -- time of the Danish line, King Canute the Great reign 1016- 1035." The Lion in Winter DVD ~ Peter O'Toole "The time of the Plantagenet Angevin line of English king Henry II the Curtmantle reign 1154-1189." Sir Walter Scott's Ivanhoe DVD ~ David Barrass "Ivanhoe takes place in the Plantagenet Angevin line of English king Richard 1 the Lionheart reign 1189-1199." Robin Hood DVD ~ Douglas Fairbanks "Robin Hood takes place during the Plantagenet Angevin line of english king Richard 1 the Lionheart reign 1189-1199." Lionheart [VHS] VHS Eric Stoltz "From the time of the 13th century Plantagenet Angevin line of English king Richard 1 the Lionheart reign 1189-1199." Braveheart DVD ~ Mel Gibson "Braveheart is the Scottish side of the story. 13th Century Plantagenet Angevin line of English kings -- King Edward 1 Longshanks reign 1272-1307." Edward II DVD ~ Steven Waddington "The Plantagenet Angevin line English king Edward II reign 1307-1327." Henry V VHS "The time of the Plantagenet Lancastrian line English king Henry V reign 1413- 1422." Olivier's Shakespeare (Hamlet / Henry V / Richard III) (The Criterion Collection) DVD ~ "Three monarchs in one: of the Plantagenet Lancasterian line English king Henry V reign 1413-1422; and of the Plantagenet Yorkist line English king Richard III reign 1483-1485." Tower of [VHS] VHS Basil Rathbone "English king Richard III the Crookback (Duke of Gloucester) was of the Plantagenet Yorkist line reign 1483-1485." The Prince and the Pauper DVD ~ Errol Flynn "The time of the House of Tudor, English king Henry VIII reign 1509-1547." A Man for All Seasons (Special Edition) DVD ~ "The Tudor ine, English king Henry VIII reign 1509-1547." The Six Wives of Henry VIII DVD ~ Keith Michell "The Tudor line English king Henry VIII reign 1509-1547." The Private Life of Henry VIII DVD ~ Charles Laughton Anne of The Thousand Days [VHS] VHS Richard Burton "The time of the Tudor line, english king Henry VIII reign 1509-1547." 2

Lady Jane DVD ~ Helena Bonham Carter "Time of the Tudor line, English queen Lady Jane Grey who reigned for 9 days in 1553." The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex DVD ~ Bette Davis "From the Tudor line, English queen Elizabeth 1 reign 1558-1603." Fire Over England DVD ~ "From the House of Tudor, English queen Elizabeth 1 reign 1558-1603." Elizabeth I DVD ~ "The time of the Tudor line, English queen Elizabeth the first reign 1558-1603. (Also see the film Elizabeth starring Kate Blachett.)" Masterpiece Theatre: Elizabeth I - The Virgin Queen DVD ~ Anne-Marie Duff "The time of the Tudor line, English queen Elizabeth 1 reign 1558-1603." Elizabeth R DVD ~ Various "The time of the Tudor line, English queen Elizabeth 1 reign 1558-1603." Mary, Queen of Scots [VHS] VHS "The Scottish side of the story. The time of the Tudor line, English queen Elizabeth 1 reign 1558-1603. (Also see the film Mary of Scotland.)" To Kill A King "From the time of the Stuart line, English king Charles 1 reign 1625-1649." Cromwell DVD ~ Richard Harris "From the time of the Commonwealth from 1657-1658, Oliver Cromwell." The Last King - The Power and the Passion of Charles II DVD ~ Rufus Sewell "From the Stuart line English king Charles II reign 1660-1685." Lorna Doone DVD ~ Martin Clunes "From the time of the Stuart line Restored, English king James II reign 1685- 1688." Captain Kidd DVD ~ Barbara Britton "The time of the House of Orange and Stuart, English king William III and Mary II reign 1689-1702." Rob Roy DVD ~ Liam Neeson "The Scottish side of the story from the time of the Brunswick Hanover line English king George 1 reign 1714-1727." Barry Lyndon DVD ~ Ryan O'Neal "From the time of the Brunswick Hanover Line, English king George III reign 1760-1820." Beau Brummell [VHS] VHS Stewart Granger "From the time of the Brunswick Hanover line, English king George III reign 1760-1820." The Madness of King George DVD ~ "The time of the Brunswick Hanover line English king George III reign 1760- 3

1820." Victoria & Albert DVD ~ Victoria Hamilton "The time of the Brunswick Hanover line English queen Victoria reign 1837- 1901. (Also see the 1937 film Victoria the Great starring Anna Neagle.)" Mrs. Brown DVD ~ "The time of the Brunswick Hanover line English queen Victoria reign 1837- 1901." Edward the King DVD ~ Annette Crosbie "The time of the Saxe-Coburg-Gotha line, English king Edward VII reign 1901- 1910." The Lost Prince DVD ~ Miranda Richardson "From the time of the Saxe-Coburg-Gotha line, English king Edward VII reign 1901-1910." Edward & Mrs. Simpson DVD ~ "The time of the Windsor line English king Edward VIII reign 1936." Bertie and Elizabeth DVD ~ James Wilby "The Windsor line, English king George VI reign 1936-1952." The Queen DVD ~ Helen Mirren "The Windsor line, English queen Elizabeth II reign 1953-present." The Queen's Sister DVD ~ Lucy Cohu "The Windsor line, English queen Elizabeth II reign 1953-present." All the President's Men - Robert Redford, as the two reporters from the Washington Post whose dogged pursuit of the facts surrounding political espionage sponsored by the Nixon White House ultimately resulted in President Nixon's resignation. Travel step by step with the tireless reporters as they get doors slammed in their faces and stonewalled by just about everyone connected with Nixon, except the ever mysterious secret source, Deep Throat. Rated PG. All Quiet on the Western Front - (1930) - One of the most powerful statements ever made about war, this film about World War One follows young idealistic German students - so eager to fight for the Fatherland - as they encounter the murderous reality of modern warfare. B&W. Amistad - Directed by Steven Spielberg, an insightful examination of events surrounding the successful revolt in 1839 by a group of Africans headed for slavery in America. The fight for freedom is taken up by abolitionist Theodore Joadson (Morgan Freeman) and former President John Quincy Adams (). The bewildered, infuriated African revolt leader Cinque (Djimon Hounsou) learns to communicate with these men and wages a legal battle for freedom. Rated R. Apollo 13 - A very entertaining look at what happened in space as the result of an explosion that left three astronauts perilously close to being stranded. The whole 4

world watched, hoped and prayed back in 1970 as the astronauts and ground crew improvised and kept their courage despite slim chances of survival. Directed by Ron Howard and starring Tom Hanks. Rated PG. Ben-Hur - Winner of eleven Oscars®. Watching this film can easily turn into a religious experience. Charlton Heston stars as a wealthy young Jewish man who winds up in the galley of a Roman ship, but over time struggles back to get revenge against the Romans. With glimpses of Jesus of Nazareth in the background, Heston, filled with hate, ultimately finds revenge leads nowhere and comes to understand the power of love. Directed by William Wyler. The Best Years of Our Lives - Made just after the conclusion of World War II, this film begins the moment three battle-hardened veterans return home to middle America. They find themselves stepping into a world a million miles removed from the realities of war, a world that has changed much since they went overseas. They struggle to resume daily lives amid the lingering emotional effects of the war, surrounded by people who admire them but don't understand them. Best Supporting Actor Oscar® went to Harold Russell (a real-life veteran who lost both hands) for his portrayal of Navy seaman Homer Parrish. Directed by William Wyler. B&W. Casablanca - Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman in the drama many consider to be the finest American film ever made. This is a powerful love story set amid the everyday intrigue and danger of living in Nazi controlled North Africa. B&W. Come and See - A look at Hitler's war of annihilation against ordinary Russian people as seen through the eyes of a sensitive teenage boy. This highly stylized film is considered to be a crowning achievement of 1980's era Soviet cinema. Set in 1943, we witness the tragic adventures of an unknowing teen after he leaves his family to join the anti-Nazi partisans. Eventually he winds up in a village surrounded by Nazi SS. In Russian with English subtitles. Dances with Wolves - 's tour de force about the natural world of a Sioux tribe in the Dakota Territory in 1864 as seen through the eyes of a Union soldier determined to experience the Western frontier before it is wrecked by white invaders. Rated PG-13 (violence and brief nudity). Glory - The epic Civil War story of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteers, the first all-black Union regiment. Stars Matthew Broderick as Col. Robert Gould Shaw, and features the inspiring performances of Morgan Freeman and Denzel Washington who won an Oscar®. Rated R (violence). Gone with the Wind - This 1939 film was Hollywood's most popular film of all time, until Mr. Spielberg came along. Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh star in the timeless story of the collapse of the Old South amid the US Civil War. Watch the 5

amazing transformation of Scarlett from a young flirt into a woman of substance driven by determination to succeed and thrive among the ruins. The Grapes of Wrath - The film that defined an era - the Great Depression and Midwest Dust Bowl of the 1930s - showing the fear, uncertainty and misery of the little people, Americans in Oklahoma, leaving for the promised land, California, only to find they are not wanted once they arrive. Directed by John Ford and starring Henry Fonda. B&W. The Great Escape - Based on a true story, the thrilling saga of a big group of Allied prisoners who managed to escape from an escape-proof German POW camp during World War II. This film does a fine job of presenting these men as interesting, likable characters, and will leave you rooting all the way for them to succeed. Watch Steve McQueen, doing his own motorcycle stunts, roar across the countryside pursued by Nazis. Platoon - The American ordeal in Vietnam as told by Oliver Stone, a man who was there. Charlie Sheen stars as a new recruit in 1967 who quickly discovers any traditional notions of war have no place amid the military and moral confusion confronting the "grunts." For most, the goal is simple survival, but for others, the savagery of this war is strangely appealing. Sheen must not only fight the war in the jungle, but must fight his own savage urges and cope with the men who have already given in and enjoy living without civilized constraints. "We did not fight the enemy, we fought ourselves and the enemy was in us," Sheen states. One of the most powerful American films ever made. Rated R (language, extreme violence). The Red Badge of Courage - This Civil War film has an amazingly realistic feel about it, taking us into battle with a frightened young Union soldier played by Audie Murphy (a World War II hero turned actor) who is forced to fight while confronting his own deep fears. Based on Stephen Crane's famous novel. Directed by John Huston. B&W. Rob Roy - The true story of Robert Roy MacGregor, a hero of 18th Century Scotland, who becomes an outlaw to redeem his honor. This is a thrilling romantic epic in the best tradition of swashbuckler movies and features some of the best swordfighting scenes ever filmed. It also provides insight into the old English system of Lords and peasants, when all men were definitely not considered equal. Liam Neeson stars along with Jessica Lange. Filmed on location in Scotland. Rated R. Saving Private Ryan - The best American war movie ever made. Stars Tom Hanks as a U.S. Army captain who storms the beach at Normandy and is then assigned a special mission, to find a mother's sole surviving son. Directed by Steven Spielberg, the story dramatizes the sacrifices of that truly great generation 6

of Americans who, along with our Allies, fought and defeated Hitler in Europe. This is also the one of the most shockingly violent films ever made. This is war. The film's super realistic portrayal of men in battle will leave you stunned. This is what the men saw. This is what happened - the whizzing and pinging of bullets from a machine gun nest - bullets ripping apart human bodies - the screaming of wounded, confused, dying men amid the overwhelming noise of war. Spielberg lets the war, specifically its murderous violence, be the true star of this film. Spielberg also had the nerve to portray the Germans realistically as the killing machines which they became, while at the same time showing us Americans who preferred to shoot anything that moved rather than take prisoners. Rated R. Schindler's List - Amid the Nazi Holocaust, one man, Oskar Schindler, was moved by the plight of the Jews and risked everything to save a group of them, even buying them back from certain death. This magnificent, sweeping drama by Steven Spielberg succeeds where other films fail in providing genuine insight into the nature of Nazi brutality and also shows the hugely profitable forced labor system set up by the Nazis, along with the death camps. Rated R (brief nudity, violence). Tora! Tora! Tora! - A realistic, detailed look at the dramatic events surrounding the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor from both the Japanese and American perspectives. This American-Japanese co-production features an historically accurate, meticulous recreation of the climactic attack of December 7, 1941.

Lincoln

BRITISH MONARCHS IN THE MOVIES Pillars of the Earth Stephen Lion in Winter Henry II Becket This movie depicts the conflict that arises between Thomas á Becket, when King Henry II appoints him Archbishop of Canterbury. Becket’s conscious convicts him to obey God rather than the King on religious matters. For his faithfulness to his faith and office, Becket is sentenced to die by the King. If you are a history buff, you know how the movie will end. However, the fine acting by Richard Burton and Peter O’Toole makes you think otherwise. King Richard and the Crusaders Richard I Ironclad John Zip Henry III

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Braveheart Edward I: This film showcased the talent of Mel Gibson as an actor, and as a director. Gibson plays the part of Sir William Wallace, the Scottish who led Scotland in the first war of independence from England. The movie’s vivid portrayal of war in the 13th century adds authenticity to the storyline, but makes it difficult to watch more than once. The movie whets the history buffs’ appetite to learn more about Wallace, King Edward 1 of England, and Scotland. The Bruce Edward II World Without End Edward III Richard III The White Queen Edward V The Princes in the Tower Oy, where to start Henry VIII A Man for all Seasons Another depiction of King Henry VIII plots to divorce Catherine of Aragon to wed Anne Boleyn, and his removal of anyone standing in way. The obstacle this time is the Lord Chancellor of England, Sir Thomas More Paul Scofield acts the part of Sir More with great believability, and ’s portrayal of Richard Rich vividly shows the scoundrel that he was. Anne of a Thousand Days This movie recounts Henry VIII’s (played Richard Burton) plotting to divorce his first wife, Catharine of Aragon, who is unable to provide a male heir. Enter, Anne Boleyn (played by Genevieve Bujold). Bujold, brings a humanity to Boleyn not seen in other movies with the same storyline. Anne, too, fails to produce a male heir and is beheaded. Henry VIII The Tudors Lady Jane Jane Elizabeth the Golden Age Elizabeth Elizabeth I (with Helen Mirren) The Virgin Queen This is loosely told English historical movie depicting Queen Elizabeth’s love for Sir Walter Raleigh. But Sir Raleigh’s love of life is one of the Queen’s maids-in waiting, Beth, who he secretly weds. Bette Davis reprises her role as Queen Elizabeth l, which she originally played in, The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex. Young Bess This is an entertaining English historical movie about young Elizabeth (Bess) during the years before her ascension to the throne of England. This movie is heavy on the unknown part of Elizabeth’s life as a young teenager, and light on historical facts, but again, it is an entertaining movie. “Mary Queen of Scots." This English historical movie depicts the royal intrigue at court and behind the scenes, as Mary Queen of Scots plots and schemes to place her son, James I of England on the throne of England. The casting of Vanessa Redgrave as Mary, and as Elizabeth I have a nuance 8

effect that works. Gunpower, Treason and Plot James I Cromwell Charles I More royal intrigue. Cromwell, a member of Parliament and a devoted Puritan, is becoming and more convinced that King Charles is being greatly influenced by his French Catholic wife, Queen Henrietta Maria to change the rites of the Church of England. Then begins battle of wits between the King and Cromwell. Richard Harris plays Cromwell, and makes the film somewhat interesting. To Kill a King The Devils Whore The Libertine The Power and the Passion Charles II Anyone? George I Bonnie Prince Charlie George II The Madness of King George George III The Charming Man George IV Victoria the Great Victoria Sixty Glorious Years The Young Victoria Mrs Brown Edward the Seventh Edward VII The Lost Prince Edward and Mrs Simpson Edward VIII Wallis and Edward Bertie and Elizabeth George VI “Lawrence of Arabia.” This war film is based on the life of T. E. Lawrence, a lieutenant in the British Army during World War I. Lawrence uses his knowledge of desert life in Arabia to become one of the central figures in galvanizing Arabs in their fight against the Turks. The superb acting, costumes, the location filming make for a memorable movie experience. “The Bridge Over the River Kwai.”This war film is set in a Japanese prisoner of war camp during World War II. A unit of British soldiers is assigned by the Japanese commanding officer, Saito, to construct a bridge over the River Kwai. The British commanding, Colonel Nicholson, invokes Geneva Conventions terms excluding officers from manual labor. If, a prisoner of war can appear suave in captivity, then as Colonel Nicholson is that embodiment. The Kings Speech The Queen Elizabeth II