10 Biopics That Celebrate Real-Life Heroes Who Saved the World

Description: This documentary delves into the life of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the physicist who led the Manhattan Project, ultimately leading to the creation of the atomic bomb. It explores the moral and ethical dilemmas he faced, making it a poignant tale of saving the world from potential nuclear annihilation by understanding the consequences of such power.

Fact: The film includes interviews with Oppenheimer himself, providing a firsthand account of his thoughts and regrets.

Description: This epic film chronicles the early days of the U.S. space program, focusing on the Mercury Seven astronauts. Their bravery and dedication helped America win the space race, ensuring a peaceful exploration of space rather than a militarized one.

Fact: The film was adapted from Tom Wolfe's non-fiction book of the same name.

Description: This film recounts the harrowing Apollo 13 mission, where astronauts and NASA engineers worked together to bring the crew safely back to Earth after an explosion in space. Their ingenuity and teamwork saved lives and maintained public faith in space exploration.

Fact: The film was praised for its accurate depiction of the events, with input from the real astronauts involved.

Description: While not strictly a biopic, this film is inspired by real-life events and individuals involved in space missions. It follows a team of astronauts and scientists who attempt to save Earth from a comet collision, highlighting the global effort to avert a catastrophe.

Fact: The film was released in the same year as another comet disaster movie, "Armageddon."

Description: This film recounts the tragic tale of the Andrea Gail, a fishing boat caught in a massive storm. While not directly saving the world, the crew's story underscores the human fight against nature's fury, inspiring others to respect and prepare for such events.

Fact: The film is based on Sebastian Junger's book, which itself was inspired by real events.

Description: Based on the true story of the 1952 Coast Guard rescue mission, this film showcases the heroism of four men who saved 32 sailors from a sinking tanker, preventing a potential environmental disaster off the New England coast.

Fact: The rescue operation was considered one of the most daring in Coast Guard history.

Description: Alan Turing, a brilliant mathematician, leads a team to crack the Nazi's Enigma code during WWII. His work shortened the war, potentially saving millions of lives, and laid the groundwork for modern computing.

Fact: The film was criticized for historical inaccuracies but praised for bringing Turing's story to a broader audience.

Description: Stephen Hawking's life story, focusing on his groundbreaking work in theoretical physics, which has implications for understanding the universe and potentially saving humanity from cosmic threats through scientific advancement.

Fact: Eddie Redmayne won an Oscar for his portrayal of Hawking.

Description: Philippe Petit's high-wire walk between the Twin Towers in 1974 is a story of personal triumph and a symbolic act of bringing people together, inspiring unity and peace, which can be seen as saving the world in a metaphorical sense.

Fact: The film uses real footage from the actual event for authenticity.

Description: Set during the early days of World War II, this film focuses on Winston Churchill's first weeks as Prime Minister, where he must decide whether to negotiate with Hitler or fight on against seemingly insurmountable odds. His decision to stand firm arguably saved the world from Nazi domination.

Fact: Gary Oldman's portrayal of Churchill won him an Academy Award for Best Actor.