‘Trial By Fire’, the web series based on the tragic 1997 Uphaar Cinema fire incident is set to stream on Netflix from this Friday. These kinds of real-life based stories should be seen by all of us and what better medium than OTT platforms to make audiences aware of the tragedies and the behind-the-scenes happenings which have previously occurred in India or anywhere in the world.
In a follow-up to our earlier write-up, this time we have compiled a list of five must-watch Hollywood movies and series which are either based directly on real-life tragic incidents and/or are set against the backdrop of such unfortunate incidents (not necessarily factual accounts). We have intentionally excluded some of the very popular films like ‘Titanic’ and ‘Schindler’s List’ because you must have already seen them.
Everest, 2015 (Streaming on Netflix)
The survival adventure movie is based on a real-life Mount Everest disaster event which happened in 1996. The film’s story revolves around two mountain climbing teams led by expedition leaders Rob Hall (Jason Clarke) and Scott Fischer (Jake Gyllenhaal) and how the groups tried to survive a severe blizzard against all odds.
Fruitvale Station, 2013 (Streaming on Lionsgate Play)
Helmed by Ryan Coogler, the film features Michael B. Jordan in the role of Oscar Grant, who encountered two Fruitvale Station BART cops and the disastrous consequence which followed.
Chernobyl, 2019 (Streaming on Disney+ Hotstar)
The critically acclaimed five-part series titles is based on the events of the fateful nuclear accident that occurred in the year 1986 at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. The series focuses on the lives of those people who were directly involved with the terrible incident including the victims and how the authorities tried to deal with the aftermath.
Foxcatcher, 2014 (Streaming on Amazon Prime Video)
Based on true events, the intense and gripping sports drama revolves around how two wrestling champions – Mark Schultz (Channing Tatum) and his elder brother Dave Schultz (Mark Ruffalo) were recruited by the affluent wrestling enthusiast John du Pont (Steve Carell). The duo was tasked to train US wrestlers for the 1988 Olympics. However, the brothers were unaware of the disastrous fate that was waiting for them.
Into The Wild, 2007 (Streaming on Amazon Prime Video, Google Play, YouTube – Rent)
Helmed by Oscar-winning actor Sean Penn, the film is an on-screen adaptation of John Krakauer’s 1996 book of the same name. It chronicles the true story of an American adventurer Chris McCandless, who travelled across North America and later hitchhiked into the Alaskan wilderness hoping for a nomadic existence. Emile Hirsch had essayed the titular role in the film.