Best Historical Epic Movies (Modern Era)

So the modern era is usually defined as the turn of the 20th century and to our present day (1900s-present). At this point in global history the United States of America had emerged as the new financial superpower much thanks to the Industrial boom of the Gilded Age. Adding to this global shift of power was the downfall of European empires due to World War I an World War II. Waves of political revolution took hold in the eastern regions of Russia and China. Following the end of World War II a new Cold War emerged between the ideologies of capitalism and communism.

Following the end of the Vietnam War and the collapse of the Soviet Union, the global state has found itself it a rather peaceful era. While there have been significant historical events pertaining to the War on Terrorism, nothing even close to the scale of the two world wars and the Cold War. We have recently witnessed an era of technological boom, and thanks to the discovery of the internet we are now living in an age of information. And due to this modern age of technological advancements we can enjoy movie epics like never before.

There are many movies pertaining to the modern era most notably set in World War I, World War II, Russian Revolution, and the Vietnam War. Some of the first that come to mind are my all time favorites including, Saving Private Ryan, Reds, and Doctor Zhivago. Movies set in this era, have had the most epics produced even more so than the classical Roman era. Which I suppose should come as no surprise, since after all it is pertaining to the most modern and recent historical events. I could probably make a separate post entirely on just World War II movies, however will do my best to include only those of massive epic scale. So I will probably have to omit some other historical movies that are not quite as grand in scale.

(Also of note I did not include any films pertaining to the Iraqi military conflict only because I do not consider these epic in scale. However for the sake of recognition I enjoyed these critically acclaimed movies pertaining to this recent event; American Sniper, Hurt Locker, and Zero Dark Thirty.)


Gilded Age

• 1871-1940 AD
• Citizen Kane

• Released in 1941
• Historical Setting: New York City
• Running Time: 119 minutes
• Director: Orson Wells
• Pertaining to the age of yellow journalism 
• This is often regarded as the greatest movie of all time among top critics and scholars alike. I have only seen it once and did find the movie to be quite a grand spectacle. It pertains to the booming American economy at the turn of the 19th century. The main character portrayed by Orson Wells is actually a depiction of the famous business magnate William Randolph Hearst, who oversaw a massive newspaper/magazine empire. The movie depicts grand scale elements of politics, business, and life in New York City at the turn of the century. The film was nominated for an impressive 9 Oscars and remains one of the most iconic films of all time.
• 1893-1947 AD
• Gandhi

• Released in 1982
• Historical Setting: British Empire, India
• Running Time: 191 minutes
• Director: Richard Attenborough
• Pertains to the life of Mohandas Gandhi and the Indian Independence Movement
• I remember watching this epic film in my senior class of world religions and was instantly inspired by the life and story of Mohandas Gandhi. The film does an incredible job of capturing the effect Gandhi had on the nation of India and does so in a grandiose scale. Ben Kingsley gives the performance of a lifetime as the title character that rightfully won him the Oscar for best actor. The film went on to garnish 11 academy awards, winning 8 of them. 
• 1898-1927 AD
• There Will be Blood

• Released in 2007
• Historical Setting: California
• Running Time: 158 minutes
• Pertains to the boom of the oil industry 
• This is another of my favorite films, with a fictional story set in a very historical era. The story is based off of Upton Sinclair's 1926 novel, Oil! which gives a unique insider perspective into the booming oil business of the day. The protagonist Daniel Planview is brilliantly portrayed by Daniel Day Lewis who won an Oscar for his performance. In the likes of Citizen Kane, the theme of this movie accentuates greed in the growing age of capitalism. While this movie does not demonstrate epic amounts of people or battles, it does demonstrate an epic spectacle of the southwestern countryside during the oil boom. The film was nominated for 8 Oscars and I have often regarded it as a total work of art, a movie masterpiece. 
• 1904-1918 AD
• Nicholas and Alexandra

• Released in 1971
• Historical Setting: Russian Tsardom, Russian Revolution
• Running Time: 188 minutes
• Director: Franklin J. Schaffner
• Pertains to the finals years of Tsar Nicholas II during the Russian Revolution
• I have yet to see this film, however after watching Reds and Doctor Zhivago and falling in love with this historical topic, I have had this film high on my watch-list. It tells the story of the Russian Revolution from the perspective of the Romanov family, specifically the Tsar Nicholas II and his wife Alexandra. I have often heard it regarded as one of the most expensive productions of it's time and yet it did not perform well at the box office. The film demonstrated lavish settings and costumes and was nominated for 6 academy awards. 
• 1912 AD
• Titanic

• Released in 1997
• Historical Setting: Atlantic Ocean
• Running Time: 195 minutes
• Director: James Cameron
• Pertains to the sinking of the RMS Titanic
• This is another of my favorite films and one of the few films on this epic list that I experienced and lived thru the hype. I remember when the movie was released in 1997 there wasn't a person I knew that hadn't seen it in theaters. It later went on to become the highest grossing film of all time, until it was surpassed by another James Cameron film in 2010, the Avatar. The film was the most expensive production of it's time and demonstrated groundbreaking spectacles in every way with incredible visual effects. The story was also a very dramatic romance between the up-and-coming actors Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet. The film set a record with it's 14 academy award nominations and tied Ben-Hur with 11 wins. 
• 1912-1920 AD
• Reds

• Released in 1981
• Historical Setting: Russian Revolution, New York City
• Running Time: 195 minutes
• Director: Warren Beaty
• Pertains to the Russian Revolution and the American Communist Party
• This is one of my all time favorite movies and covers a very historical period in American and Russian politics. I remember first watching it whilst I lived in Chicago a time when I was just learning about leftist politics and history. Warren Beaty directs and stars as the famous journalist John Jack Reed who covered the Russian Revolution in his novel, Ten Days that Shook the World. He later went on to help establish the American Communist Party after WWI, then died whilst covering the Russian Civil War. His lover and feminist advocate Louise Bryant is played by Diane Keaton. The film demonstrates a vast spectacle of the Progressive Age of American politics yet also the rising fervor of the Russian Revolution. The film has many extras, dramatic events, great acting, and a great musical composition. It was nominated for an impressive 12 Academy Awards. 
• 1912-1920 AD
• Doctor Zhivago

• Released in 1965
• Historical Setting: Russian Revolution, Russian Civil War
• Running Time: 200 minutes
• Director: David Lean
• Pertains to the Russian Revolution and the Russian Civil War
• Another of my all time favorite films that pairs well with the political epic Reds. This film is more of a military epic and an iconic classic from the golden age of epics during the 1950-1960s. Director David Lean expands on his success from Lawrence of Arabia with this Russian epic starring the likable Omar Sharif in the title role. The story written by Boris Pasternak is one of a complicated love affair set in very turbulent times. The film captures a great story, with great acting, and the grand scale military turbulence of the Russian Civil War. It's musical score of Lara's Theme is one of the most iconic scores in all of movies. Everything about this movie is epic and for that it was nominated for 10 academy awards. 

World War One

• 1912-1918 AD
• War Horse

• Released in 2011
• Historical Setting: England, World War I
• Running Time: 146 minutes
• Director: Steven Spielberg
• It's crazy to think that before World II broke out, World War I was referred to as the Great War. Ever since 1945 however it has been somewhat in the shadow of WWII and yet it was the 2nd bloodiest war of all time. Spielberg gives homage to the significant event that World War I was with this epic war film revolving around a horse. The strong thoroughbred horse named Joey witnesses the atrocities of war from both the English and the German sides. The movie demonstrates some large scale scenes depicting artillery and the infamous trench warfare and barbed wired of WWI. The score by John Williams is also worthy of a mention and iconic of a Speilberg film. The film was nominated for 6 academy awards. 
• 1912-1926 AD
• Downton Abbey

• Released in 2010
• Historical Setting: England, World War I
• Running Time: 56 episodes
• Creator: Julian Fellowes
• Pertaining to an English estate set during World War I
• This PBS Masterpiece production was a very popular Television show and highly acclaimed. It pertains to an English aristocratic family set during the intriguing times of the Suffragette movement and World War I. The show does not have any major military spectacles however the setting of the Yorkshire estate is very impressive. The show demonstrates top quality drama, settings, costumes, acting, music, and story within a very turbulent time period. I must confess I often found the show to be a bit too much soap opera, yet cannot deny the quality of it's historical setting.  
• 1914-1918 AD
• All Quiet on the Western Front

• Released in 1930
• Historical Setting: World War I
• Running Time: 152 minutes
• Director: Lewis Milestone
• Often regarded as one of the first military epics after DW Griffith's Birth of a Nation and Intolerance, this film was very groundbreaking and ahead of it's time. It delivered a very anti-war message demonstrating the horrors of the great war. The film was released during a lawless era of Hollywood known as the Pre-Code age, where films could get away with strong themes. This anti-government, pacifist theme caused much uproar and controversy throughout the world. And yet the film has later become an iconic movie epic that garnished 4 Academy Awards including the win for best picture. I have yet to watch this film, but someday I hope to take on some of the real old school silent and classic films of the Pre-Code era. 
• 1916-1918 AD
• Lawrence of Arabia

• Released in 1962
• Historical Setting: World War I, Ottoman Empire
• Running Time: 222 minutes
• Director: David Lean
• Often regarded as one of the greatest epics and British movies of all time, this is no doubt a classic historical film. I actually just bought it and wrote about it a couple weeks ago during my studies of the Ottoman Empire. I still stand by my original sentiment that this film is extremely boring and one of the most overrated films of all time. However I cannot deny the very impressive scale of the film in the vastness of the Arabian deserts. The battle scenes are immense and the costumes are also impressive. The film was nominated for an impressive 10 Academy Awards and won 7 of them.  
• 1917 AD
• 1917

• Released in 2019
• Historical Setting: England, World War I
• Running Time: 119 minutes
• Director: Sam Mendes
• Pertaining to World War I and Operation Alberich
• I have yet to see this recent war epic yet have heard nothing but rave reviews. The film is most noteworthy for it's continuous shot, a familiar effect that was implemented in Children of Men. The story pertains to Operation Alberich in which the German forces withdrew to their defensive stronghold known as the Hindenburg Line. In an effort to save a doomed British attack, two British soldiers must deliver a message in very hostile territory. The film was received with very high praise and garnished 10 academy award nominations including a win for best cinematography. 

World War Two

• 1939-1945
• Schindler's List

• Released in 1993
• Historical Setting: Nazi Germany, Occupied Poland
• Running Time: 195 minutes
• Director: Steven Spielberg
• Pertaining to the Holocaust
• Although it is a very sad and somber setting this is one of my all time favorite films because it is a total work of art. Spielberg gave the Holocaust a very emotional tone with the lack of colors. The musical score by John Williams and the iconic violin theme by Itzhak Perlman also really accentuated this tone. The acting by Liam Neeson as Oscar Schindler and Ralph Fiennes as Amon Goth are subliminal. The scale of this production is also surreal and demonstrates the gloomy state of things during WWII. This film demonstrates not the military conflicts yet the real horrors of the Jewish ghettos and the concentration camps. It is an all around epic film that was nominated for 12 Academy Awards. It is the definitive movie regarding the Holocaust and a true movie masterpiece. 
• 1939-1945
• The Pianist
• Released in 2002
  
• Historical Setting: Nazi Germany, Occupied Poland
• Running Time: 150 minutes
• Director: Roman Polanski
• Pertaining to the Holocaust and the Warsaw Uprisings
• This film is not quite to the scale of Schindler's List but in my opinion the 2nd best film regarding the Holocaust. Roman Polanski shares a story of the Holocaust from the perspective of one family and later just one person, the pianist played by Adrien Brody. The film focuses more on the Jewish ghetto of Warsaw rather then the concentration camps that were portrayed in Schindler's List. Even more interesting are the historical portrayals of the Jewish Uprising and the Warsaw Uprising that took place. The film opens with a lighter tone however the situation gets more and more dire as the movie progresses. The film was nominated for 7 Oscars, including a win for Adrien Brody. I consider it among my favorite films of all time. 
• 1940
• Dunkirk

• Released in 2017
• Historical Setting: Dunkirk, France
• Running Time: 106 minutes
• Director: Christopher Nolan
• Pertaining to the Dunkirk Evacuation of British soldiers during WWII
• I have yet to see this film, however here that it is highly acclaimed and a visual roller coaster. The setting pertains to the historic Battle of Dunkirk which left some 400,000 British soldiers defeated and trapped on a beach. The plan to evacuate them was referred to Operation Dynamo and consisted of many volunteer sailors lending their boats to transport the soldiers to safety. This event is also briefly depicted in the movie Atonement, however just the aftermath of the escape. This movie demonstrates more of the action of the battle with an emphasis on the German aerial force known as the Luftwaffe. The film was nominated for 8 academy awards and won 3 in the categories of sound and film editing. 
• 1941-1942
• Pearl Harbor

• Released in 2001
• Historical Setting: Hawaii, Empire of Japan
• Running Time: 183 minutes
• Director: Michael Bay
• Pertaining to the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor
• I remember the hype when this film came out and felt a sense of patriotism while watching it. It was an epic romantic film in the likes of Titanic, filmed with impressive special effects. The story is a love triangle between Ben Affleck, Kate Beckinsale, and Josh Hartnett but the action is the real appeal. The film demonstrates an incredible aerial portrayal of the surprise Japanese attack that sank many American warships. It also demonstrates the American aerial response with the bombing of Tokyo, known as the Doolittle Raid. This event was the rally cry that finally got the United States involved in WWII. The film somewhat lacks in dramatic artistic quality, however the special effects make this a must see for anyone who enjoys history.  
• 1942-1943
• Bridge on the River Kwai

• Released in 1957
• Historical Setting: World War II, Burma
• Running Time: 161 minutes
• Director: David Lean
• Pertaining to WWII, and British prisoners of War set in Burma (Occupied by Japan)
• I remember watching this film at Fort Wayne during my classic movie phase of 2009 and enjoying the epic. It is one of three major David Lean productions (including Lawrence of Arabia and Doctor Zhivago). It is also Alec Guinness' most acclaimed performance, although he is probably more famous as Obi-Wan Kenobi. The story revolves around a British brigade of soldiers who are ordered by the Japanese to build a bridge. Led by the proud Colonel Nicholson, the British build a fine bridge worthy of architectural praise. However when the British POWs are rescued and the bridge is to be detonated, the Colonel is too proud to destroy his achievement even though his rescuers are at hand. The film gives a very ironic portrayal of British pride and ranks among the most iconic British films of all time. It was nominated for 8 academy awards and won 7 including best director for David Lean, best actor for Alec Guiness, and best picture. 
• 1942-1945
• Band of Brothers

• Released in 2001
• Historical Setting: World War II
• Running Time: 10 episodes
• Creator: Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg
• Pertains to American airborne landings in Normandy during World War II
• Alongside Saving Private Ryan, this is my favorite film production regarding World War II. It is produced by Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks after their masterful collaboration on Saving Private Ryan. The 10 part series produced by HBO tells the story of a battalion of parachute infantry during the allied counter-offensive. It depicts notable historical battles against the Nazi Germans such as the Battle of the Bulge. The production is top quality and gives a unique insider view of what it might have been like during those horrific battles. It had incredible sound effects as well as a powerful musical score. The show was critically acclaimed and one several golden globes and Emmys. 
• 1942-1945
• The Pacific

• Released in 2010
• Historical Setting: World War II
• Running Time: 10 episodes
• Creator: Bruce K. McKenna
• Pertains to the Pacific front of World War II
• In the likes of Band of Brothers, this is a 10 part series that portrays a band of marines fighting on the Pacific front. It is arguably the most in-depth top quality portrayal of the Pacific War alongside Clint Eastwood's films Letters of Iwo Jima and Flags of our Father. The show demonstrates some of the definitive battles of the campaign such as the Battle of Okinawa, Battle of Pelelui, and the Battle of Iwo Jima. The show is not quite as good as Band of Brothers, however still went on to receive significant television acclaim and awards. 
• 1942-1943
• The Thin Red Line

• Released in 1998
• Historical Setting: World War II
• Running Time: 170 minutes
• Director: Terrance Malick
• Pertains to the Guadalcanal Campaign on the Pacific Front of WWII
• This is an epic war film by the artistic director Terrance Malick I've seen once or twice and wasn't fully captivated by. The film demonstrates a battalion of infantry soldiers set in the Japanese occupied Solomon Islands. While the beaches and the jungles appear quite appealing there is nothing pleasant about war. The film marked a 20 year return for director Terrance Malick who has produced many notable artistic period epics such as Days of Heaven and The New World. It also starred an all-star ensemble cast including Sean Penn, Adrien Brody, George Clooney, John Cusack, Woody Harrelson, John C. Reily, and John Travolta. The film was nominated for 7 academy awards. 
• 1943-1945
• Patton

• Released in 1970
• Historical Setting: World War II
• Running Time: 170 minutes
• Director: Franklin J. Schaffner
• Pertains to the North African front of World War II
• I have seen this epic film once or twice and just like Thin Red Line I recogonize it's critical acclaim yet I personally was not fully captivated by it. The film has one of the most recognizable scenes in movies with actor George C. Scott giving a speech behind the American flag. The film also gives a detailed account of the famed American General Patton who led the Americans to many victories in the North African front of the war and the Battle of the Bulge. However the film demonstrates Patton's stubbornness and disagreements with other generals such as Eisenhower. It was Patton who fervently disagreed to allow the Soviet Unions to take control of Berlin. The film gives an epic account of the fighting of World War II and was nominated for 10 academy awards which it won 7 of. 
• 1944
• The Longest Day

• Released in 1962
• Historical Setting: World War II
• Running Time: 178 minutes
• Directors: Ken Annakin, Andrew Marton, Bernhard Wicki
• Pertains to the Invasion of Normandy during World War II
• This is a grand scale portrayal of the Invasion of Normandy, known as D-Day. I would say it is the definitive World War II film, had it not been for the later released of Saving Private Ryan. It portrays the events of D-Day from three perspectives, the American armies, the British and French armies, and the German armies. It also features an incredible ensemble cast with big name actors such as John Wayne, Richard Burton, Sean Connery, Henry Fonda, and Rod Steiger. The film demonstrated some large scale visual effects and was nominated for 5 academy awards. 
• 1944-1945
• Saving Private Ryan

• Released in 1998
• Historical Setting: World War II
• Running Time: 169 minutes
• Director: Steven Spielberg
• Pertains to the Normandy landings of World War II
• This for me is the definitive World War II film and one of my favorite films of all time. It is a grand scale epic of the Allied counter-offensive on the European western front against Germany. Spielberg's opening 20 minute sequence of the American soldiers landing on the beaches of Normandy is enthralling and has to rank among the most incredible movie scenes in history. I remember first watching this film as a young teenager at my grandma's house and being so inspired by the courage of the American soldiers. Just like other big war films, this one also has an ensemble however is carried by the great dramatic acting of Tom Hanks. This film demonstrates the bond soldiers create with one another during wartime and no doubt was the influence to the later acclaimed shows of Band of Brothers and Pacific. Everything about this film is epic top quality (the musical score by John Williams, the visual effects, the sound, the acting, and the cinematography) and because of that it garnished 11 Oscar nominations. 
• 1944
• A Bridge too Far

• Released in 1977
• Historical Setting: World War II
• Running Time: 176 minutes
• Director: Richard Attenborough
• Pertains to Operation Market Garden during World War II
• I have yet to see this epic British war film pertaining to an event I also know very little of. (It's funny how most my historical inspiration comes from great movies that I watch) This film focuses on the failed Allied campaign known as Operation Market Garden. This was a British led plan to invade the German armies from Netherlands. In September of 1944 with the aid of the American armies the allies landed in the Eindhoven Dutch region. The assault was a two part plan consisting of airborne and ground soldiers. However the region was still a German stronghold, and the allies were unable to cross the river Rhine and had to abort the operation. This film's title A Bridge Too Far, ironically alludes to the Allies overly-aggressive plans to end the war before Christmas of 1944. This is one of several great epic films from British director Richard Attenborough and includes an ensemble cast of Michael Caine, James Caan, Sean Connery, Elliot Gould, Gene Hackman, Anthony Hopkins, Robert Redford, and Lawrence Olivier. 

Cold War 

• 1954-1981
• Forrest Gump

• Released in 1994
• Historical Setting: United States of America, Vietnam War
• Running Time: 142 minutes
• Director: Robert Zemeckis
• Pertaining to the American Counterculture Revolution and the Vietnam War
• There is no movie that better captures the 1960s Counterculture Revolution than that of this epic comedy/drama. The story of Forrest Gump is a homage to American culture from the aspects of the rural and the hippie movements of the 1960s. The character of Forrest Gump is played brilliant by the actor Tom Hanks, as a somewhat dim-witted yet straight laced righteous person. He experiences various events of American history such as the Vietnam War and the Watergate Scandal. The filming of the Vietnam battle only makes up a portion of this drama but is in my opinion what takes this movie beyond just a dram and into the epic category. The film is one of my all time favorites and was nominated for 13 Academy Awards including wins for Tom Hanks, Robert Zemeckis, and for best picture. 
• 1955-1967
• Che

• Released in 2008
• Historical Setting: Cuban Revolution
• Running Time: 257 minutes
• Director: Steven Soderbergh
• Pertains to life of the revolutionary Ernesto Che Guevara and his involvement in the Cuban Revolution
• I first became fascinated with the life story of revolutionary Che Guevara after watching the film Motorcycle Dairies. However that film only showed the man going thru a transition, right before he got engaged in revolutionary action. This 2 part epic directed by Steven Soderbergh and starring Benecio del Toro, demonstrates exactly what it was that made Che infamous. Che Guevara became a key commander in Fidel Castro's revolution for Cuba. The 2nd part demonstrates Che's greater goals to unite Latin America as he aided the Bolivian revolution that caused his eventual downfall. Both films demonstrate the guerrilla warfare tactics implemented by Guevara. The film gives a very raw and epic account of this historical event. 
• 1967-1968
• Platoon

• Released in 1987
• Historical Setting: Vietnam War
• Running Time: 120 minutes
• Director: Oliver Stone
• Pertaining to the Vietnam War
• This large scale war film is probably the best of director Oliver Stone who specializes in the historical film department (JFK, Nixon, Alexander, W). It depicts the complications of the Vietnam War by demonstrating the infighting among an American infantry division. The platoon is more-or-less divided by those against the war who smoke marijuana, and those who support their country and drink alcohol. Just like most great war epics there is an ensemble cast with great performances by William DeFoe, Tom Berenger and Charlie Sheen. The soundtrack is full of iconic 1960s classic rock, yet also has a very emotional score of Adagio for Strings by Samuel Barber. The film is one of the defining movies pertaining to the Vietnam War and was nominated for 8 academy awards. 
• 1968-1975
• The Deer Hunter

• Released in 1978
• Historical Setting: Vietnam War
• Running Time: 184 minutes
• Director: Michael Cimimo
• Pertaining to the Vietnam War
• This war drama demonstrates more so the mental effects of war rather than the historical event. It stars memorable performances by Robert DiNero, Meryl Streep, Christopher Walken, and John Cazale. The general plot is regarding two American prisoners of war who are tortured by the Viet Cong to partake in the game of Russian roulette. After they are able to escape and finish their service they struggle to come to grips with day-to-day society. DiNero's characters is able to overcome his emotional duress while his friend, played by Walken succumbs to it. The film is a unique character story in the backdrop of a historical epic and was nominated for 9 Oscars. 
• 1969
• Apocalypse Now

• Released in 1979
• Historical Setting: Vietnam War
• Running Time: 147 minutes
• Director: Francis Ford Coppola
• Pertaining to the Vietnam War
• Alongside the film Platoon, this is the most definitive war epic regarding the Vietnam War. Directed by the great Francis Ford Coppola it takes the viewers deep into the Saigon jungles of Vietnam. The film has large scale depictions of the war setting, with a great musical soundtrack. One of the key themes is madness and is portrayed very well by the actors Marlon Brando, Martin Sheen, Robert DuVall, and Dennis Hopper. Perhaps one of the most famous scenes in the movie is the chopper attack led by Robert DuVall to the music of Wagner's Ride of the Valkyries. DuVall portrays a very memorable character with famous lines however the villain portrayed by Marlon Brando is even more dramatic. The story of this film is derived from the novel Heart of Darkness and is one of Copolla's most famous works (alongside the Godfather). It was nominated for 8 Oscars.