Diana
Biographical films have long been a great way to entertain audiences whilst imparting a little history lesson along the way.
While many filmmakers have used the opportunity to shine a light on lesser known historical figures, there have naturally been many high-profile subjects with stories too juicy to be left untold.
Royals, tyrants and revolutionaries have all been the focus of a number of Biopics in recent years, though fewer have been as famous as The People’s Princess - Diana.
To celebrate the release of Diana on DVD and Blu-Ray on 24th March, we count down some of the most high-profile biopics of all time.
- Diana (2013)
One of the most beloved British figures of the last century, this gripping biopic focuses on the last 2 years of Diana’s life, conveying the isolation and loneliness that came with being the people’s princess.
Truly moving, and if you loved The Queen, you should undoubtedly make this top of your To-Watch List.
Film fact: At the beginning of the film, there is a wine glass on the table.
This is an exact replica of the glass used at the dinner minutes before Diana’s death, when Dodi Fayed proposed at the Paris Imperial Hotel.
- Walk The Line (2006)
Chronicling the troubled life of country legend Johnny Cash, Walk The Line focuses on the singer’s rise to fame and his relationship with June Carter.
Proving that she’s more than just Legally Blonde, Reese Witherspoon steals the show as June Carter, perfectly cast opposite Joaquin Phoenix’s Cash.
This is one of Pheonix's greatest film moments as he really got under this skin of Cash. This was a terrific performance that saw him receive a Best Actor Oscar nomination.
Film fact: Cash died less than four months after his wife; it has been suggested as the result of a broken heart.
- Ray (2005)
One of the most worthy Oscar-winning biopics of all time, Jamie Foxx sparkles as Ray Charles, depicting the morally dubious lifestyle of the singer against the backdrop of the civil rights era.
Even if you’re no jazz fan, watch this to witness one of the finest performances in recent years.
This remains THE performance of Foxx's career - if you are coming to Jamie Foxx's movies for the first time, then this is the perfect place to start.
Film fact: Jamie Foxx wore eye prosthetics that made him blind for up to 14 hours a day.
- Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom (2014)
Based on his autobiography, Long Walk To Freedom chronicles Mandela’s life.
From his childhood and the 27 years he spent in prison, through to his inauguration as the president of South Africa; it is hard not to be moved by an inspiring life story like no other.
It is a powerful performance from the fantastic Idris Elba, as he gives Mandela a real presence in every scene that he is in. It is great to see the same actor play the film all the way though and age with the character.
Film fact: Sadly, Nelson Mandela passed away the same day as the film’s London Premiere last year.
- The Social Network (2010)
One of the defining inventions of the generation, The Social Network tells the story of the creation of the behemoth that is Facebook: arguments, betrayal, and court cases.
It really is true 'You don’t get to 500 million friends without making a few enemies.'
The David Fincher directed film went on to scoop eight Oscar nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actor for Jesse Eisenberg.
It went on to win three; Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Original Score and Best Film Editing.
Film fact: In the film, Mark uses an alias on his art final, the alias being Tyler Durden, a reference to another David Fincher film: Fight Club.
- The Iron Lady (2012)
A wildly divisive figure, Maggie Thatcher’s biography proved to be almost as contentious a film as the Iron Lady herself.
While the film was never going to be universally loved, Meryl Streep won endless plaudits for her performance - as she tends to do.
It is Streep's central performance as Thatcher that really does drive and save this film. She is wonderful from start to finish.
Film fact: Meryl Streep never met Margaret Thatcher, but she did attend one of her lectures at Northwestern University in 2001.
- Gandhi (1982)
Clocking in at a whopping 188 minutes, this star-studded depiction of Mahatma Gandhi’s life can certainly be qualified as ‘epic’.
Chronicling his journey from British lawyer to pacifist protester, this beautifully-crafted saga is worthy of your filmic patience.
Ben Kingsley scooped the Best Actor Oscar for his tremendous performance, and cemented himself as a big screen great.
Film fact: It was thought that Ben Kingsley resembled Mohandas K. Gandhi so much, that many natives thought him to be Gandhi's ghost.
- W. (2008)
Though it didn’t win many awards, Oliver Stone’s biopic provides a compelling portrayal of George W. Bush’s life, charting his rise from alcoholic to leader of the free world.
Perhaps reflecting political tribalism, the film divided critics.
Unsurprisingly, the Bush administration distanced themselves from Stone’s film, though Bush’s son Jeb called the film ‘high-grade, unadulterated hooey’.
Film fact: Oliver Stone and George W. Bush were both in Yale's class of 1968, though Stone left to go to Vietnam one year into the course.
- The Queen (2006)
How could we not include this one? Set in the aftermath of Diana’s death, the tour de force that is Helen Mirren portrays The Queen like no one else can.
Humanising the Royal family with wit and poignant sensitivity; if you’ve ever wondered what the Royals do behind closed doors, this will give you a touching glimpse.
Helen Mirren dominated the awards circuit in 2007, as she scooped just about every award going. Her awards season came to a triumphant close as she won the Best Actres Oscar for her performance.
Film fact: HRH, Queen Elizabeth II has not watched the film, as she does not wish to relive "one of the worst weeks of her life."
- Downfall (2005)
When you think of notorious historical figures, we’d be willing to wager that you’d conjure up an image of this man.
This brave, German-made biopic depicts the final ten days of Hitler’s reign in a compelling, but unflinching way, showing a more human side to the infamous Führer to both critical acclaim and uproar.
From start to finish, Downfall is totally compelling viewing. It is bold filmmaking from director Oliver Hirschbiegel, driven by a wonderful performance by Bruno Ganz as Hitler.
Film fact: Many of Adolf Hitler's lines are historically accurate, having been based on accounts from both Albert Speer and Traudl Junge. However, most of them were taken from earlier dates.
Diana is out on DVD & Blu-Ray now.