True Stories
True Stories are those based (sometimes loosely!) on fact. They cover topics as diverse as drug addiction, poverty, political unrest, the corruption of power, alcoholism, class divisions, sexual inequality, mental illness and other human struggles. Meet some of history's most intriguing characters, find out what it's really like to climb a mountain or paint a masterpiece. Truly, the True Story is one of cinema's most engaging and enthralling genres.
Bio-pics feature in this section and are also gathered together separately under the 'Biography' sublink left.
Pictured: Inside the Las Vegas mob, Scorsese's unromantic 'Goodfellas'
The Buddy Holly Story (1978)
7.3/10
Director: Steve Rash
Starring: Gary Busey, Charles Martin Smith, Don Stroud
Gary Busey's outstanding, Oscar-nominated (for Best Actor) performance as Buddy Holly makes this one of the great Rock 'N' Roll movies of all time. Ba... Read more
The Bunker (1981)
7/10
Director: George Schaefer
Starring: Anthony Hopkins, Richard Jordan, Piper Laurie, Cliff Gorman
In 1945, The Third Reich is in its death throes with the Allies relentlessly attacking the capital city of Berlin. Adolf Hitler retreats into his fort... Read more
The Butler (2013)
5.9/10
Director: Lee Daniels
Starring: Alan Rickman, Clarence Williams III, Cuba Gooding Jr, Forest Whitaker, Jane Fond...
"The Butler" tells the story of a White House butler who served seven American presidents over three decades. The film traces the dramatic changes tha... Read more
The Butler ( Blu-ray ) (2013)
5.9/10
Director: Lee Daniels
Starring: Alan Rickman, Clarence Williams III, Cuba Gooding Jr, Forest Whitaker, Jane Fond...
"The Butler" tells the story of a White House butler who served seven American presidents over three decades. The film traces the dramatic changes tha... Read more
The Cat's Meow (2001)
6.4/10
Director: Peter Bogdanovich
Starring: Cary Elwes, Edward Herrmann, Jennifer Tilly, Joanna Lumley, Kirsten Dunst, Eddie...
One of Hollywood's most notorious unsolved mysteries is the basis for this vibrant film from Peter Bogdanovich. A party hosted by newspaper mogul Will... Read more
The Chatterley Affair (2006)
7.3/10
Director: James Hawes
Starring: Rafe Spall, Louise Delamare, Mary Healy, Gerard Horan, Ron Donachie, Kenneth Cra...
The most famous obscenity trial in history is the subject of this docu-drama exploring the controversy that followed the publication of DH Lawrence's... Read more
The Chronicles of Rock 'N Roll - The Alan Freed Story (1999)
Director: Andy Wolk
Starring: Fabian, Judd Nelson, Madchen Amick, Paula Abdul
AKA 'Mr Rock 'N Roll'. Judd Nelson stars in this song-filled biodrama as the '50s Cleveland disc jockey who introduced America to a musical revolution... Read more
The Class ( Entre Les Murs ) (2008)
7.5/10
Director: Laurent Cantet
Starring: Francois Begaudeau, Franck Keita, Nassim Amrabt, Esmerelda Ouertani
French director Laurent Cantet does something miraculous with the well-worn conceit of a teacher and his underprivileged students in this fresh and op... Read more
The Conjuring (2013)
7.5/10
Director: James Wan
Starring: Lili Taylor, Ron Livingston, Patrick Wilson, Vera Farmiga
Based on the 1970s true life story, "The Conjuring" tells the tale of how world renowned paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren were called u... Read more
The Connection ( aka La French ) (2015)
7.1/10
Director: Cedric Jimenez
Starring: Jean Dujardin, Gilles Lellouche, Celine Sallette, Melanie Doutey, Benoit Magimel
Marseille. 1975. A young magistrate with a wife and children, is transferred to help in the crack-down on organized crime. He takes on French Connecti... Read more