by Sam Baker
As a result, when producing our list of the top movies, we paid particular attention to those that tackled their themes with a journalistic eye — none of this hazy “inspired by real events” everyday stuff.
All The President’s Men (1976)
Wait, you’re telling us Watergate was a genuine event, and two reporters actually did assassinate a sitting US president in 1974? Who’d have guessed? With certain recent leaders of the free world seeking to paint the press as “the enemy of the people,” Alan Pakula’s journalistic procedural remains compelling, even with its unspoilable finale. The film rejects any impulse to flesh out the home lives of Woodward and Bernstein (played by Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman, respectively), or imagine what was going on inside the White House, or otherwise deviate from or embellish the central investigation, shot and acted with typical ’70s naturalism.
Casino (1995)
The lives of Frank Lefty, the casino boss in Vegas, and Anthony Spilotro, a gangster from Chicago, were the inspiration behind Casino, the dramatic film produced in 1995. Martin Scorsese does an excellent job of blending fantasy with reality. The film chronicles Frank’s ties to the criminal world through his best buddy Anthony. Back in the 1970s, the two were in charge of four unlawful casinos. They went on a roller coaster of murder, love, adultery, and revenge. It’ll be fascinating to learn how the gang lost control of the money-making tree they had established. Going by the Australian online casino reviews, brick and mortar casinos may not have a similar appeal as they used to have back in 1995, but the film stands out as one of the biggest gambling-themed movies based on real-life events.
Escape From Alcatraz (1979)
Alcatraz was the most secure prison of its day, located on an island in San Francisco Bay. It was thought to be impossible to escape until Frank Morris (Clint Eastwood), John Anglin (Fred Ward), and Clarence Anglin (Jack Thibeau) made a successful effort in 1962. The success of their venture is still up for debate, but this gripping story provides a thorough exploration of the facts and flights of fancy.
The Imitation Game (2014)
This fascinating film, starring Benedict Cumberbatch (AKA Sherlock), follows the tale of computer expert Alan Turing, who tries to crack the Enigma code used by the Nazis to secure their radio transmissions during WWII. Turing was a genius, but he was a nightmare to deal with since he thought his coworkers were inferior to him. To succeed, he will have to overcome both the mathematical and social challenges.
Catch Me If You Can (2002)
In this feature movie based on Frank Abagnale Jr’s life, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Tom Hanks play the key characters. Abagnale grew up to be adept in forgery and disguise, and he was able to pay cheques for millions while posing as a Pan Am pilot, a doctor, and a legal prosecutor. What’s more astounding is that he accomplished all of this before turning 19, and he did so to reunite his parents, who had become estranged due to financial difficulties. The picture blends comedic parts with fast action and outstanding performance, and DiCaprio should have gotten his long-awaited Oscar.
