Thrilling Historical Discoveries in Film

Description: This epic film chronicles the early days of the U.S. space program, focusing on the Mercury Seven astronauts and their quest to conquer space, a monumental discovery in human history.

Fact: The film was based on Tom Wolfe's book of the same name, which itself was a detailed account of the early space race.

Description: A gripping retelling of the Apollo 13 lunar mission, where the discovery of a critical failure leads to an incredible tale of survival and ingenuity.

Fact: The film was praised for its accuracy, with NASA providing technical support and even allowing the use of real footage from the mission.

Description: Based on true events, this film tells the story of two man-eating lions that terrorized workers on the Tsavo bridge project in Kenya, leading to the discovery of their unique behavior.

Fact: The lions' skulls are now on display at the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago.

Description: This poignant film recounts the life of Jean-Dominique Bauby, who, after suffering a stroke, communicates his memoir through blinking, a discovery of human resilience and creativity.

Fact: The film was shot from the perspective of Bauby, with the camera often positioned to mimic his limited field of vision.

Description: This film explores the historical moment when King George VI must overcome his stammer to deliver a speech that will unite the nation during WWII, a discovery of personal strength and leadership.

Fact: The film was originally rated R for language but was edited to secure a PG-13 rating, allowing it to reach a broader audience.

Description: Delve into the life of Alan Turing, whose work in cracking the Enigma code during WWII was one of the most significant discoveries of the 20th century, changing the course of the war.

Fact: Benedict Cumberbatch learned to solve the Rubik's Cube in under two minutes for his role as Turing.

Description: This film recounts the true story of an unlikely platoon tasked with rescuing art masterpieces from Nazi thieves, highlighting the discovery and preservation of cultural heritage.

Fact: The film was inspired by the book "The Monuments Men: Allied Heroes, Nazi Thieves, and the Greatest Treasure Hunt in History" by Robert M. Edsel.

Description: Explore the life of Stephen Hawking, whose groundbreaking work on black holes and the universe's origins represents one of the most profound scientific discoveries of our time.

Fact: Eddie Redmayne, who played Hawking, met with him several times to prepare for the role, and Hawking himself attended the premiere.

Description: This film follows the real-life journey of British explorer Percy Fawcett as he ventures into the Amazon to find an ancient lost city. It's a tale of obsession, adventure, and the human spirit's quest for discovery.

Fact: The film was shot in various locations including Colombia and Northern Ireland to replicate the Amazon jungle. Charlie Hunnam lost 40 pounds for his role as Percy Fawcett.

Description: While not strictly historical, this iconic film captures the essence of adventure and discovery with Indiana Jones on a quest for the Ark of the Covenant, blending history with thrilling action.

Fact: The film was inspired by the serials of the 1930s and 1940s, and Steven Spielberg wanted to make a movie that felt like those old adventure films.