Dr Zhivago

Revolutionary Russia comes alive in Boris Pasternak's sweeping epic of the years 1912 to 1925, which saw the fall of the Czar and the ruling classes, the Russian front in World War II, the Bolshevik Revolution, and the subsequent civil war. Poet and doctor Yuri Zhivago, played by Omar Sharif, and his mistress Lara Antipovo, played by Julie Christie, live and love as historic events shatter the existing way of life for all Russians, Directed by David Leant, the film earned five Academy Awards for Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography, Best Costume Design, Best Score and Best Screenplay. Alec Guinness and Rod Steiger co-star.  Released in 1965.  VIEW MOVIE!

Lawrence of Arabia

Reds

John Reed, a radical American journalist, his lover Louise Bryant, and anarchist Emma Goldman were historic figures caught up in the exhilaration of the 1917 Bolshevik Revulsion in Russia, that saw the end of the Czar and the onset of communism. Dramatic, touching and historically accurate, the film brings the period to life. Warren Beatty won a Best Director Oscar and also played John Reed, Diane Keaton played Louise Bryant and Maureen Stapleton received an Academy Award for her role as anarchist Emma Goldman.  Released in 1981.  VIEW MOVIE!


The Last Emperor

He started out at age 3 as the last emperor of China and was to become a prisoner and war criminal. This epic film chronicles the life of Pu Yi, played by John Lone, as he went from ruler to prisoner to Chinese citizen. Detailing lavishly the last years of China's Ching Dynasty through flashbacks and fast-forwards, this amazing from director Bernardo Bertolucci collected nine Oscars. Also starring Peter O'Toole.  Released in 1987. 
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Defiance

The real life story of the Bielskis's, four Jewish brothers who, after witnessing the slaughter of their parents and their village, escaped into the forests of Belarus during World War II, and against all odds, saved 1,000 Jews from slaughter. Two of the brothers played by Daniel Craig and Liev Schreiber, were originally petty thieves and vandals and their scrappy instinct for survival is channeled into saving the Jews who come to depend on them. Their deep seated aggressiveness plays out in the difficult relationship between them.  Released in 2008.
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Empire of the Sun

Christian Bale was 13 when he starred as Jim, a young Brit separated from his wealthy expat family as Japan invaded Shanghai at the beginning of World War II. Lost in wartime Shanghai, Jim is finally interned in a civilian prison camp, where survival is uncertain and food is scarce. John Malkovich is intense as one of the American prisoners in the camp who takes Jim in and befriends him. A visually stunning adventure story, from J.G. Ballard's biographical novel, with a compelling script by Tom Stoppard, it was directed brilliantly by Steven Spielberg. With Miranda Richardson and Nigel Havers.  Released in 1987.  VIEW MOVIE!


Schindler's List

Oskar Schindler, played by Liam Neesom, was an unlikely savior of 1100 Jews, since he was a German factory owner made rich by exploiting cheap Jewish labor. But he spent his entire fortune to free over a thousand Jews from Auschwitz. Steven Spielberg's inspiring epic won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture.  Released in 1993.  VIEW MOVIE!




Exodus

A ship without a port that will accept them, carrying 600 Holocaust survivors is the focus of this dramatic story about the founding of Israel, seen through the eyes of resistance fighter Uri Ben Canaan , played by Paul Newman. After the British limited emigration to Palestine and blockaded Cyprus, Ben Canaan uses his wits to bring the ship to newly partititioned Palestine. Written by Leon Uris, after his experience as a war correspondent in Israel, the novel and the movie were both sensations at the time. Directed by Otto Preminger with Eva Marie Saint, Lee J. Cobb and Sal Mineo.  Released in 1960.  VIEW MOVIE!


The Best of Youth "La Meglio Gioventu"

A six hour movie sounds like a stretch, even for the most dedicated fan. But this saga of an Italian family from the 60's to the 21st Century is riveting from the first ten minutes. Two brothers, Nicola (Luigi Lo Cascio) and Matteo (Alessio Boni), start out very close, but their paths diverge dramatically. Nicola becomes a successful psychiatrist, marrying a radical activist. Matteo becomes a policeman, enforcing the law in a time of political unrest. The intersection of politics and personal life is one of the themes of this intensely intimate look at one family's lives. Originally a miniseries on Italian television. In Italian with subtitles. Released in 2003.  VIEW MOVIE!



Charlie Wilson's War

How did we get so involved in Afghanistan? This film helps explain how Texas congressman Charlie Wilson, played by Tom Hanks, was convinced by his 'friend with privilieges" Joanne Herring to support the Afghans and how he worked with a CIA operative played by Philip Seymour Hoffman to aid Afghan mujahedin rebels in their fight against the Soviet Red Army, creating a relationship that reverberates today. Starring Julia Roberts, Emily Blunt and Amy Adams in this political thriller directed by Mike Nichols, based on George Crile's 2003 book.  Released in 2007. 
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