13 real life tragedies turned into films
When tragic events are turned into films, the audience reaction is divided. Some encourage the storytelling of these events in the hope that history won’t repeat itself. Others, however, call out Hollywood for not leaving enough time before monetising the story into a blockbuster hit.
Often whether a film is released soon after a tragedy, audience and critic reaction will depend upon how they depicted the story and characters in the event. Here are 13 historical tragedies that have been turned into movies.
1. Elephant, 2003 – Columbine High School massacre in 1999.
2. Evil Angels, 1988 – Death of baby Azaria Chamberlain in Australia.
3. Patriots Day, 2016 – Boston Bombings in 2013.
4. Snowtown, 2011 – Snowtown murders in South Australia from 1992 to 1999.
5. Dark Night, 2016 – Colorado shooting in 2012 where 12 were left dead watching the Dark Night Rises in the cinema.
6. Titanic, 1997 – Sinking of the RMS Titanic in 1912.
7. The Stranger, 1946 – Holocaust in WWII.
8. Schindler’s List, 1993 – Holocaust in WWII.
9. To the Shores of Hell, 1966 – Vietnam War in 1955-1975 and uses military footage of the war.
10. Helter Skelter, 1976 – Courtroom drama of The Manson Familiy Murders in 1969.
11. The Killing Fields, 1984 – Genocide that took place during the Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia.
12. United 93, 2006 – 9/11 terrorist attacks.
13. Fruitvale Station, 2013 – 2008 murder of Oscar Grant which was captured on video.
Do you think movies should wait a certain length of time before depicting a tragic event? Let us know what you think in the comments below.
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