Best Historical Films About Colonies

Description: Based on Rudyard Kipling's story, this film follows two British adventurers who set out to become kings in a remote part of British India, showcasing the ambition and folly of colonial dreams.

Fact: The film was shot in Morocco, which doubled for the fictional Kafiristan.

Description: This film, based on Karen Blixen's memoir, explores her life in colonial Kenya, her coffee plantation, and her complex relationship with a big-game hunter. It's a sweeping epic that captures the beauty and brutality of colonial Africa.

Fact: Meryl Streep and Robert Redford both received Academy Award nominations for their performances.

Description: Set in 18th-century South America, "The Mission" tells the story of Jesuit missionaries who attempt to protect a native tribe from Portuguese slavers. The film delves into themes of faith, redemption, and the moral complexities of colonial expansion.

Fact: The film won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival and was nominated for seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

Description: This film follows a Jesuit priest's journey into the Canadian wilderness to convert the Huron and Algonquin tribes. "Black Robe" provides a stark portrayal of the cultural misunderstandings and the harsh realities of colonial life in New France.

Fact: The film was shot in the remote areas of Quebec, Canada, to authentically capture the wilderness setting of the story.

Description: Based on James Fenimore Cooper's novel, this film captures the French and Indian War, focusing on the survival and romance amidst the backdrop of colonial conflict in North America.

Fact: The film's score by Randy Edelman and Trevor Jones was highly acclaimed, with the main theme becoming iconic.

Description: Set during the construction of the Uganda Railway in Kenya, this film tells the true story of two man-eating lions that terrorized workers, highlighting the colonial endeavor's impact on both the land and its people.

Fact: The film was inspired by real events, and the lions' skins are still on display at the Field Museum in Chicago.

Description: While not exclusively about colonies, "The Patriot" delves into the American Revolutionary War, showcasing the struggle of colonists against British rule, with a focus on one man's journey from pacifism to becoming a key figure in the fight for independence.

Fact: The film features a historically inaccurate scene where Mel Gibson's character uses modern guerrilla tactics, which were not common during the Revolutionary War.

Description: Set in 1930s Shanghai, this film explores the lives of European expatriates and their interactions with the local Chinese population during a time of political upheaval and colonial influence.

Fact: The film was directed by James Ivory, known for his period dramas.

Description: Terrence Malick's "The New World" explores the early days of the Jamestown settlement in Virginia, focusing on the relationship between John Smith, Pocahontas, and the settlers' interactions with the Native Americans. This film is a poetic meditation on the clash of cultures and the birth of a nation.

Fact: The film was shot on location in Virginia, where the actual Jamestown settlement was established. It also features a score by James Horner, which was nominated for an Academy Award.

Description: Although primarily about the Irish War of Independence, this film touches on the broader theme of colonial rule and resistance, focusing on two brothers on opposite sides of the conflict.

Fact: The film won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival, highlighting its critical acclaim for its portrayal of historical events.