Revenge Biopics: Real Stories of Retribution

Description: While not strictly a revenge biopic, this film captures the essence of law enforcement's fight against Al Capone, with Eliot Ness's personal vendetta against the mobster driving much of the narrative.

Fact: The film was loosely based on the memoir of the same name by Ness and Oscar Fraley. Kevin Costner's portrayal of Ness was critically acclaimed.

Description: This film focuses on Jeffrey Wigand's battle against the tobacco industry after being fired for revealing the truth about cigarette additives, showcasing a form of corporate revenge.

Fact: Al Pacino and Russell Crowe both received Academy Award nominations for their roles. The film was based on a Vanity Fair article.

Description: This film tells the story of Rubin "Hurricane" Carter, a boxer wrongfully convicted of murder, who fights for his freedom and seeks to clear his name, embodying a tale of personal and legal revenge.

Fact: Denzel Washington's performance earned him an Academy Award nomination. The film was based on Carter's autobiography "The Sixteenth Round."

Description: While not a traditional revenge story, Władysław Szpilman's survival during the Holocaust and his eventual return to music can be seen as a silent form of revenge against the atrocities he endured.

Fact: Adrien Brody won an Academy Award for Best Actor, famously selling his car and moving out of his apartment to better understand his character's plight.

Description: Truman Capote's investigation into the Clutter family murders for his book "In Cold Blood" becomes a personal obsession, blurring the lines between journalism and a quest for revenge against the killers.

Fact: Philip Seymour Hoffman won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Capote. The film was shot in black and white to reflect the era.

Description: This film, based on the memoir by Jean-Dominique Bauby, who suffered from locked-in syndrome, can be viewed as a narrative of personal revenge against his own body, using his mind to communicate and tell his story.

Fact: The film was shot from the perspective of Bauby, with the camera often representing his point of view. Mathieu Amalric, who played Bauby, was nominated for a César Award.

Description: This film explores the complex relationship between Jesse James and Robert Ford, culminating in Ford's betrayal and assassination of James, driven by a mix of admiration, envy, and the desire for fame.

Fact: The film's title is taken from a book by Ron Hansen. It was shot in Canada, with the crew building an entire town to replicate the 1880s.

Description: Although primarily a story of perseverance, Chris Gardner's journey from homelessness to success can be seen as a form of revenge against his circumstances, proving his worth against all odds.

Fact: Will Smith and his son Jaden played father and son in the film. The title misspells "happiness" as it was a real-life mistake on a daycare center sign.

Description: Based on the life of Danny Greene, an Irish-American mobster in Cleveland, this film showcases his rise to power and his subsequent battle against the mafia, culminating in a tale of revenge and survival.

Fact: The film was inspired by the book "To Kill the Irishman: The War That Crippled the Mafia" by Rick Porrello. Ray Stevenson, who played Greene, was praised for his portrayal of the charismatic yet ruthless figure.

Description: This film follows the harrowing journey of Hugh Glass, a frontiersman left for dead after a bear mauling, who seeks revenge against those who betrayed him. The film's portrayal of survival and revenge in the unforgiving wilderness makes it a standout in the revenge biopic genre.

Fact: Leonardo DiCaprio won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his role. The film was shot in harsh conditions, with temperatures dropping to -40°C.