Movies about courage
July 8, 2024 7:32 AM   Subscribe

Can you recommend movies about courage, in particular with regards to standing up to do what is right in the face of great challenge? Two that come to mind are "A Few Good Men" and "Crimson Tide."
posted by roaring beast to Media & Arts (33 answers total) 4 users marked this as a favorite
 
Billy Jack
posted by JohnnyGunn at 7:39 AM on July 8 [3 favorites]


42
A Civil Action
Silkwood
posted by phunniemee at 7:40 AM on July 8 [1 favorite]


“Silkwood” (1983)
“Erin Brockovitch” (2000)
posted by BostonTerrier at 7:40 AM on July 8 [5 favorites]


To Kill a Mockingbird
posted by Silvery Fish at 7:42 AM on July 8 [3 favorites]




The Karate Kid
posted by JoeZydeco at 8:00 AM on July 8


Pelican Brief
posted by Melismata at 8:01 AM on July 8


Norma Rae
posted by probably not that Karen Blair at 8:10 AM on July 8 [4 favorites]


Most Audy Murphy movies fit this category.

To Hell and Back (Autobiographical)

Sierra

Destry
posted by JohnnyGunn at 8:11 AM on July 8


I just watched the musical 1776 (my Fourth of July tradition), and it's kind of silly in some ways, but it also highlights just how much risk the men who signed the Declaration of Independence were taking. They truly thought they were going to be executed for treason.

Also, it's been a long time since I watched it, so I can't remember how overtly religious it is (which may not be your thing), but The Hiding Place is based on the story of Corrie ten Boom, a Dutch woman whose family was arrested and sent to concentration camps for hiding Jews during the Holocaust. I remember when it first came out someone wrote our local paper complaining it was Christian propaganda, so YMMV.

Also Molokai: The Story of Father Damien.
posted by FencingGal at 8:12 AM on July 8


Courage under Fire (1996) - the whole theme is whether someone (or multiple people) has or hasn't acted well.
posted by biffa at 8:14 AM on July 8


On the Waterfront
posted by FencingGal at 8:20 AM on July 8


Dark Waters
posted by General Malaise at 8:22 AM on July 8


Philadelphia

Milk
posted by hydra77 at 8:22 AM on July 8 [4 favorites]


The Mission
posted by Winnie the Proust at 9:09 AM on July 8


Spotlight
posted by pantarei70 at 9:14 AM on July 8 [4 favorites]


Casablanca
posted by less-of-course at 9:32 AM on July 8 [3 favorites]


The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance
posted by credulous at 9:50 AM on July 8


The Power of One.
posted by rekrap at 9:50 AM on July 8


Gandhi
Thunderheart
posted by rjs at 10:02 AM on July 8 [1 favorite]


Hacksaw Ridge, the true story of a man who kept his integrity in the face of significant opposition and performed truly heroic acts. He was also the first person to receive the U.S. Medal of Honor without firing a single shot.
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 10:35 AM on July 8 [3 favorites]


Hotel Rwanda
Schindler's List
Philadelphia
posted by virve at 11:36 AM on July 8 [4 favorites]


+1 for Thunderheart

"You looking for Mount Rushmore, ya? Got off at the wrong exit on the interstate?"

Love this movie.

I would add Three Kings
posted by Windopaene at 12:10 PM on July 8 [1 favorite]


Chariots of Fire - especially regarding Eric Liddell.
posted by offog at 4:49 PM on July 8


The Americanization/Education* of Emily

*title varies depending on country of release
posted by sardonyx at 4:50 PM on July 8


Whale Rider
posted by jojobobo at 5:17 PM on July 8 [1 favorite]


First time posting: Just rewatched 1917. Astonishing display of courage.

posted by MrNoodlePants at 5:34 PM on July 8


Rabbit-Proof Fence
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 6:28 PM on July 8 [3 favorites]


Glory
posted by gudrun at 7:26 PM on July 8


Rogue One
posted by el_presidente at 12:01 AM on July 9


The Lives Of Others (2006)
posted by WhackyparseThis at 6:42 AM on July 10


The Thin Red Line (1998, dir. Terrence Malick) is about both valor and moral courage.
posted by tovarisch at 5:29 PM on July 10


Seconding Rabbit Proof Fence, such a powerful (true) story about courage in the face of enormous adversity and injustice.

For a different kind of courage, my favourite favourite movie about finding the courage to resolve an internal crisis is Kiki’s Delivery Service. Kiki’s so brave and keeps trying when it seems like everything’s gone to crap for her; I often wish I could be more like that.
posted by threecheesetrees at 4:53 PM on July 11


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