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Standing Extra Credit Assignment – Film Responses
There are many ways of exploring history, through books, classes, art, music, travel and film. While film is often disregarded as an illegitimate form
of historical exploration, it can often be one of the most dynamic ways of portraying a time period. Through film, actors and directors can capture
the emotion, look and feel of a time period that is often lacking in textbooks and other means of studying history.
While we do not have the time to watch these amazing films in class, I would like to offer each of you the opportunity to earn extra credit outside
of class by watching a film that relates to our class material (i.e. World History Students cannot watch a film focusing on American History and viceversa, see me for clarification on individual films). This is obviously not an exhaustive list. I have not seen every historical film ever made, if you
believe another film can make a valid addition to class material, see me for approval prior to watching and doing a write up.
Directions: Below is a list of films with a focus on a historical figure or time period that we may or may not have mentioned/discussed in class (we
don’t have time to cover everything!). Watch one of these films outside of class and write a ONE PAGE response to the film and how it
connects/adds to our class content. Your response must be well written and thought out. The maximum amount of credit that can be earned on
this assignment is 20 points, but only the best film responses will earn full points. Remember, this is EXTRA credit. ONLY TWO FILM ANALYSIS
PAPERS CAN BE TURNED IN PER STUDENT PER SEMESTER.
**NOTE** Many of these films are rated R or not rated and are NOT appropriate for all ages; many are very graphic. It is up to your PARENTS
whether you are allowed to watch these films or not. This list is merely a RECCOMENDATION for further exploration, NOT a requirement.
Les Miserables (2012) - French Revolution
Casablanca (1941) - WWII
All Quiet on the Western Front (1930) - WWI
1776 (1972) - American Revolution
Last of the Mohicans (1992) - Colonial America
Schindler’s List (1993) - WWII/Holocaust
Luther (2003) - Reformation
John Adams – HBO (2008) - American Revolution
The Homesman (2014) – American West
Meeks Cutoff (2010) – American West
The Mill and the Cross (2011) – Art History/Medieval
Europe
Downfall (2004) – WWII
Come and See (1985) – WWII
Bridge on the Rive Kwai (1957) - WWII
Gallipoli (1981) - World War I
Gettysburg (1993) – American Civil War
Lincoln (2012) – American Civil War
JFK (1991) - America, 1960’s
Saving Private Ryan (1998) - WWII
Grapes of Wrath (1940) – the Great Depression
Ben Hur (1959) - Ancient Rome
Master and Commander (2003) – Napoleonic Wars
Empire of the Sun (198) - WWII
Gladiator (2000) - Ancient Rome
Animal Farm (1954) – Stalinist Russia
North and South - BBC (2004) – Industrial England
Ghandi (1982) - Indian Revolution
Roots (1977) - American Slavery
Braveheart (1995) – Scottish Revolution
Spartacus (1960) – Ancient Rome
Elizabeth (1998) – 16th Century England
Iron Jawed Angels (2004) - Women’s Suffrage
The King’s Speech (2010) – Great Britain/Northern
Ireland
Hotel Rwanda (2004) – Tutsi Genocide
Tombstone (1993) - American West
Lawrence of Arabia (1962) - WWI
Marie Antoinette (2006) - French Revolution
The Great Escape (1963) - WWII
Defiance (2008) - WWII
The Wind that Shakes the Barley (2006) – Irish War for
Independence
Apocalypse Now (1979) - Vietnam War
Apocalypto (2006) – Ancient Maya – subtitled
The Imitation Game (2014) - WWII
Pan’s Labyrinth (2006) - Spanish Civil War
Slow West (2015) – American West
Rob Roy (1995) – 18th Century Scotland
Glory (1989) - American Civil War
Newsies (1992) - American Reform Movements
Das Boot (1981) World War II – subtitled
Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee (2007) - Westward
Expansion
Reds (1981) – Communist Revolution
Dr. Zhivago (1965 or 2002) – WWI and Russian
Revolution
Night and Fog (1956) – Holocaust Documentary
Nikolas and Alexandria (1971) - Russian Revolution
Jason and the Argonauts (1963) - Ancient Greek
Civilization
October (Ten Days that Shook the World) (1928) Russian Revolution
Rasputin (1996) - Russian Revolution
Waking Life (2001) – Enlightenment/Philosophy
Band of Brothers – HBO (2001) - World War II
V for Vendetta (2005) - Dystopian Future
Watchmen (2009) – Dystopia, Vietnam
The Pianist (2002) - Holocaust
There Will Be Blood (2007) - 19th/20th Cent.
America/Industrialization
The Crucible (1996) – 1950’s Red Scare
Dr. Strangelove (1964) – Cold War
All the President’s Men (1976) - Watergate
Invictus (2009) – Apartheid