Crime Biopics: True Stories of Crime and Punishment

Description: A landmark film that tells the story of the infamous bank robbers Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow, whose exploits during the Great Depression made them folk heroes to some and criminals to others.

Fact: The film was controversial for its portrayal of violence and sexuality, leading to changes in the Motion Picture Production Code.

Description: The true story of FBI agent Joseph D. Pistone, who infiltrated the Bonanno crime family in New York City during the 1970s under the alias "Donnie Brasco."

Fact: Al Pacino and Johnny Depp's performances were critically acclaimed, with Pacino receiving an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

Description: The story of George Jung, who was a major player in the cocaine trade in the United States in the 1970s and early 1980s. It's a tale of ambition, excess, and the inevitable downfall.

Fact: Johnny Depp's performance was critically acclaimed, and the film was based on Bruce Porter's book of the same name.

Description: Based on the life of Frank Abagnale Jr., who before his 19th birthday, successfully performed cons worth millions of dollars by posing as a pilot, doctor, and legal prosecutor. This film captures the cat-and-mouse game between Abagnale and the FBI agent hot on his trail.

Fact: The real Frank Abagnale Jr. served as a consultant for the film, and Leonardo DiCaprio met with him to prepare for his role.

Description: This film focuses on Truman Capote's research for his book "In Cold Blood," which involves the investigation of the brutal murder of a Kansas family. It's a deep dive into the psyche of both the writer and the killers.

Fact: Philip Seymour Hoffman won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Truman Capote.

Description: This film explores the complex relationship between the legendary outlaw Jesse James and Robert Ford, the man who would eventually kill him. It's a psychological study of fame, betrayal, and the myth of the American West.

Fact: The film's title is taken from the headline of a newspaper article about the assassination, and it was critically acclaimed for its cinematography and performances.

Description: This film chronicles the rise and fall of Harlem drug lord Frank Lucas, who smuggled heroin into the United States on American service planes from Vietnam. It's a classic tale of ambition, corruption, and the American Dream gone awry.

Fact: Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe both received Academy Award nominations for their roles. The film was also nominated for Best Art Direction.

Description: A biographical black comedy detailing the rise and fall of Jordan Belfort, a stockbroker who engaged in rampant corruption and fraud on Wall Street during the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Fact: The film was nominated for five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and Leonardo DiCaprio was nominated for Best Actor.

Description: This film follows the final years of the notorious bank robber John Dillinger, who was one of America's most wanted criminals during the Great Depression. It explores his cat-and-mouse game with the FBI.

Fact: Johnny Depp underwent extensive training to mimic Dillinger's mannerisms and even visited his grave to pay respects.

Description: Based on the life of Richard Kuklinski, a notorious contract killer who claimed to have killed over 100 people. The film explores his dual life as a family man and a cold-blooded assassin.

Fact: Michael Shannon's performance was praised for its chilling authenticity, and the film was based on the book "The Iceman: The True Story of a Cold-Blooded Killer."