Sometimes, actual people and the events surrounding them make for the best stories.
Everett Collection
Politics aren’t always fun to talk about, but they sure make for compelling drama.
Here are our picks for 25 of the most notable movies about real-life politicians and high-ranking figures.
David Oyelowo in ‘Selma’; Daniel Day-Lewis in ‘Lincoln’; Helen Mirren in ‘The Queen’.Credit:Everett Collection
Made in 2007, the film foreshadows the eventual blowback of the U.S. support of the mujahideen.
And kudos to character actor David Andrews, whose “Scooter” Libby is a memorably preening political grotesque.
TheRon Howard-directed film sheds new light on what happened behind the scenes and the true fragility of power.
Dustin Hoffman and Robert Redford in ‘All the President’s Men’.Everett Collection
Give ‘em Hell, Harry!
(1975)
James Whitmore (a.k.a.
Andreotti’s ties to the mob (and the possibility that he ordered political assassinations) are horrifying.
Tom Hanks in ‘Charlie Wilson’s War’.Everett Collection
Kevin Jacobsen
JFK(1991)
Who killed President John F. Kennedy?
Everyone, if you believeOliver Stone’s investigative thriller.
(Ain’t politics grand?)
Cate Blanchett in ‘Elizabeth’.Gramercy Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection
Adding another layer to the massive scandal,Nixonpicked up four Oscar nods for its interpretation.M.B.
The Queen(2006)
British royals hold no real political power.
Their duties are purely administrative, and their great strength lies with the public.
Naomi Watts and Sean Penn in ‘Fair Game’.The Kobal Collection
So when the public turns against them, what purpose do they serve?
That’s the anxious undertone ofThe Queen, which focuses on the immediate aftermath of the death ofPrincess Diana.
It all culminates with the historic march from Selma to Montgomery, risking their lives for the greater good.
Frank Langella and Michael Sheen in ‘Frost/Nixon’.Ralph Nelson/Universal Pictures
Jim Broadbent in ‘Gangs of New York’.The Kobal Collection
James Whitmore in ‘Give ‘em Hell, Harry!'.Everett Collection
George Clooney and David Strathairn in ‘Good Night, and Good Luck’.Everett Collection
Michele Placido in ‘Il Caimano’.The Kobal Collection
Toni Servillo in ‘Il Divo’.The Kobal Collection
Natalie Portman in ‘Jackie’.Stephanie Branchu/Fox Searchlight/Courtesy Everett Collection
Kevin Costner in ‘JFK’.Everett Collection
LaKeith Stanfield and Daniel Kaluuya in ‘Judas and the Black Messiah’.Glen Wilson/Warner Bros.
Colin Firth in ‘The King’s Speech’.Laurie Sparham/The Weinstein Company
Daniel Day-Lewis in ‘Lincoln’.David James
Sissy Spacek in ‘Marie’.Everett Collection
Sean Penn in ‘Milk’.The Kobal Collection
Anthony Hopkins in ‘Nixon’.Everett Collection
Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks in ‘The Post’.20th Century Fox Licensing/Merchandising / Everett Collection
John Travolta in ‘Primary Colors’.Everett Collection
Helen Mirren and Michael Sheen in ‘The Queen’.Everett Collection
Philip Baker Hall in ‘Secret Honor’.The Kobal Collection
David Oyelowo in ‘Selma’.Atsushi Nishijima/Paramount Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection
Kristen Stewart in ‘Spencer’.Pablo Larrain/Neon/Courtesy Everett Collection
Josh Brolin in ‘W.'.Everett Collection
