15 Incredible Films Based On Real-Life Tragedies
4. 12 Years A Slave
Based On: American slavery and the experiences of Solomon Northup, a free black man who was kidnapped and sold into slavery.
There aren't many films of recent times more harrowing than 12 Years a Slave, which is entirely appropriate given the horrendously distressing topic it depicts. It is a film without hope, heroism or light, and the film's brutal re-enactments of violence are nigh-on-unwatchable. While Solomon does ultimately escape, this is only through pure luck and this resolution hardly feels uplifting.
12 Years is not a film anyone will enjoy watching or want to see again, but it is possibly essential viewing. It's a tasteful, hugely worthy and emotionally shattering look at the horrors of slavery that never resorts to melodrama or exploitation to sell its message; rather, it simply displays the tragedy at hand in all its complexity and horror, with impressive historical accuracy.
As well as being an important film, 12 Years is also a highly impressive cinematic work. An excellent script, Steve McQueen's superb directing and great performances from a fantastic ensemble cast, especially Michael Fassbender, helped to make this the rare Best Picture winner that absolutely, definitely deserved the big prize.