Inspirational Women's History Leader Biopics
Each March in the USA, we recognize female achievements during Women's History Month. Biographical movies are a great way to educate the public about landmark events in the struggle for gender equality. At the same time, these movies honor and celebrate each woman's achievement with the star power they deserve. Bios Source: Wikipedia.com
Which of these select female political or sovereign leaders* inspires you the most, or alternatively their biopic does? * Queens, Heads of State, First Ladies, Princesses, Politicians, Etc.
Women's History Month Companion Polls: Leader Biopics : Trailblazer Biopics : Humanitarian Biopics : Sports Biopics : Writer Biopics : Singer/Musician Biopics : Visual Artist Biopics : Performance Artist Biopics
Discuss the topic here.
Which of these select female political or sovereign leaders* inspires you the most, or alternatively their biopic does? * Queens, Heads of State, First Ladies, Princesses, Politicians, Etc.
Women's History Month Companion Polls: Leader Biopics : Trailblazer Biopics : Humanitarian Biopics : Sports Biopics : Writer Biopics : Singer/Musician Biopics : Visual Artist Biopics : Performance Artist Biopics
Discuss the topic here.
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- DirectorNikolaj ArcelStarsAlicia VikanderMads MikkelsenMikkel Boe FølsgaardA young queen, who is married to an insane king, falls secretly in love with her physician - and together they start a revolution that changes a nation forever.Queen Caroline: Queen of Denmark, influenced her son King Fredrick VI to reform and modernize Denmark.
- DirectorShekhar KapurStarsCate BlanchettLiz GilesRod CulbertsonThe early years of the reign of Elizabeth I of England and her difficult task of learning what is necessary to be a monarch.Elizabeth I: Queen of England, Queen for 45 years and one of the worlds most respected monarchs ever.
Alternate Biopics: Elizabeth: The Golden Age (2007), Young Bess (1953) - DirectorPablo LarraínStarsNatalie PortmanPeter SarsgaardGreta GerwigFollowing the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy fights through grief and trauma to regain her faith, console her children, and define her husband's historic legacy.Jackie Kennedy: USA First Lady, champion of the arts and of historic architecture preservation, as well as, known for her style, elegance, and grace. She was a fashion icon and role model to women everywhere.
Alternate Biopic: Jackie Bouvier Kennedy Onassis (2000) - DirectorJean-Marc ValléeStarsEmily BluntRupert FriendPaul BettanyA dramatization of the turbulent first years of Queen Victoria's rule, and her enduring romance with Prince Albert.Queen Victoria: Queen of England, for 40 years presided over one the greatest empires the world has ever seen.
Alternate Biopic: Victoria & Albert (2001) - DirectorMike GabrielEric GoldbergStarsMel GibsonLinda HuntChristian BaleAn English soldier and the daughter of an Algonquin chief share a romance when English colonists invade seventeenth century Virginia.Pocahontas: Powhatan Indian princess, emissary to the English settlers and allegedly saved John Smith from execution by offering to sacrifice her own life.
Alternate Biopic: The New World (2005) - DirectorJoseph L. MankiewiczRouben MamoulianStarsElizabeth TaylorRichard BurtonRex HarrisonQueen Cleopatra VII of Egypt experiences both triumph and tragedy as she attempts to resist the imperial ambitions of Rome.Cleopatra: Queen of Egypt, last active pharaoh of Ptolemaic dynasty.
Alternate Biopic: Cleopatra (1934) - DirectorPhyllida LloydStarsMeryl StreepJim BroadbentRichard E. GrantAn elderly Margaret Thatcher talks to the imagined presence of her recently deceased husband as she struggles to come to terms with his death while scenes from her past life, from girlhood to British prime minister, intervene.Margaret Thatcher: UK Prime Minister, United Kingdom leader for 10 years.
- DirectorJustin ChadwickStarsNatalie PortmanScarlett JohanssonEric BanaTwo sisters contend for the affection of King Henry VIII.Anne Boleyn: Queen of England, key figure in the English Reformation.
Alternate Biopic: Anne of the Thousand Days (1969) - CreatorPeter MorganStarsClaire FoyOlivia ColmanImelda StauntonFollows the political rivalries and romances of Queen Elizabeth II's reign and the events that shaped Britain for the second half of the 20th century.Queen Elizabeth II: UK Queen, Queen of United Kingdom for over 65 years, longest serving British monarch ever.
Alternate Biopic: The Queen (2006) and A Royal Night Out (2015) - DirectorLuc BessonStarsMichelle YeohDavid ThewlisJonathan RaggettThe story of Aung San Suu Kyi as she becomes the core of Burma's democracy movement, and her relationship with her husband, writer Michael Aris.Aung San Suu Kyi: State Counsellor of Myanmar, the de facto Head of State of Myanmar. The Nobel Peace Prize winning opposition leader spent two decades as a political prisoner, when the military refused to hand over power, after she won the countries' election in a landslide.
- DirectorRouben MamoulianStarsGreta GarboJohn GilbertIan KeithQueen Christina of Sweden is a popular monarch who is loyal to her country. However, when she falls in love with a Spanish envoy, she must choose between the throne and the man she loves.Queen Christina: Queen of Sweden, one of the most educated women of the 1600s, sought to establish Stockholm as the "Athens of the North". An independent thinker, she broke with tradition by refusing to marry. She converted to Roman Catholicism, thus becoming a symbol of the Counter Reformation and one of the few women buried in the Vatican grotto.
Alternate Biopic: The Girl King (2015) - DirectorAnthony HarveyStarsPeter O'TooleKatharine HepburnAnthony Hopkins1183 A.D.: King Henry II's three sons all want to inherit the throne, but he won't commit to a choice. When he allows his imprisoned wife Eleanor of Aquitaine out for a Christmas visit, they all variously plot to force him into a decision.Eleanor of Aquitaine: First Queen of France, influenced the politics of many western European nations, personally and through her sons, English kings: King Richard and King John.
Alternate Biopic The Lion in Winter (2003) and upcoming biopic: Eleanor of Aquitaine - StarsHelen MirrenJason ClarkeGina McKeeThe life and times of the woman who reformed the Russian empire.Catherine the Great: Empress of Russia, one of the great political leaders of 18th century.
Alternate Biopics: The Scarlet Empress (1934), A Royal Scandal (1945), Catherine the Great (1995), Young Catherine (1991) and upcoming Catherine the Great - DirectorWerner HerzogStarsNicole KidmanJames FrancoRobert PattinsonA chronicle of Gertrude Bell's life, a traveler, writer, archaeologist, explorer, cartographer, and political attaché for the British Empire at the dawn of the twentieth century.Gertrude Bell: Political Officer aka Queen of the Desert, Bell played a major role in establishing and helping administer the modern state of Iraq. Her knowledge as an archaeologist and writer gave her a unique perspective from her travels and relations with tribal leaders. As a result, she was respected by both British and Arab officials alike and commanded an immense amount of power.
- DirectorAshutosh GowarikerStarsHrithik RoshanAishwarya Rai BachchanSonu SoodA sixteenth century love story about a marriage of alliance that gave birth to true love between a great Mughal emperor, Akbar, and a Rajput princess, Jodha.Rajkumari Mariam-uz-Zamani aka Jodhaa Bai: Empress of the Mughal Empire, personally agreed to a loveless arranged marriage of political alliance between the Mughal empire Akbar and Rajput empire. Her personal sacrifice resulted in one of the world's greatest love stories and forever changed the fate of India.
Alternate Biopic: Mughal-E-Azam (1960) - DirectorJohn ErmanStarsJean StapletonE.G. MarshallCoral BrowneBiography of former first lady Eleanor Roosevelt, who forged a new role for herself in the years after her husband's death.Eleanor Roosevelt: USA First Lady, Unofficial co-president of United States 1933-1945, plus an iconic human rights advocate/leader.
- DirectorMichael O. SajbelStarsTiffany DupontLuke GossJohn NobleIn Biblical times, a girl disguises her Jewish origins when the Persian king comes looking for a new bride among his subjects.Esther: Queen of Persia, the iconic biblical figure saved her Herbrew people by preventing a genocide.
Alternate Biopic: The Book of Esther (2013) - DirectorRichard TanneStarsTika SumpterParker SawyersVanessa Bell CallowayChronicles the 1989 summer afternoon when the future President of the United States, Barack Obama, wooed his future First Lady, Michelle Obama, on a first date across Chicago's South Side.Michelle Obama: USA First Lady, an advocate for poverty awareness, nutrition, physical activity, and healthy eating. She is known a fashion icon, a role model for women, and important part of her husband's Barack rise and success.
- DirectorGuy NattivStarsHelen MirrenZed JosefHenry GoodmanFocuses on the intensely dramatic and high-stakes responsibilities and decisions that Golda Meir, also known as the 'Iron Lady of Israel,' faced during the Yom Kippur War.Golda Meir: First Prime Minister of Israel, the Iron Lady of Israel was crucial to Israel's survival during it's formative years.
Alternate Biopic: A Woman Called Golda (1982) - DirectorPatrice ChéreauStarsIsabelle AdjaniDaniel AuteuilJean-Hugues AngladeYoung Queen Margot finds herself trapped in an arranged marriage amidst a religious war between Catholics and Protestants. She hopes to escape with a new lover, but finds herself imprisoned by her powerful and ruthless family.Queen Margot: Queen Consort of France and Navarre, the victim of a manipulative mother, a loveless arranged marriage, imprisoned by her ruthless brothers and trapped in religious war between Catholics and Protestants. She survives them all to become the queen of two countries and had a profound influence that continues to this day.
- DirectorSofia CoppolaStarsKirsten DunstJason SchwartzmanRip TornThe retelling of France's iconic but ill-fated queen, Marie Antoinette. From her betrothal and marriage to Louis XVI at 14 to her reign as queen at 19 and to the end of her reign as queen, and ultimately the fall of Versailles.Marie Antoinette: Queen of France, brought the French monarchy tumbling down.
Alternate Biopic: Marie Antoinette (1938) - DirectorAlan ParkerStarsMadonnaJonathan PryceAntonio BanderasThe hit musical based on the life of Eva Perón (Evita Duarte), a B-picture Argentinian actress who eventually became the wife of Argentinian president Juan Domingo Perón, and the most beloved and hated woman in Argentina.Evita Peron: First Lady of Argentina, inspiration to the Argentinian people.
Alternate Biopic: Evita Peron (1981) - DirectorAl PacinoStarsKevin AndersonJessica ChastainPhillip Rhys ChaudharyThe Biblical story of Salomé, a girl who agrees to perform the "dance of the seven veils" in return for John the Baptist's head on a silver platter.Salome: Queen of Chalcis and Armenia Minor, infamous for demanding and receiving the head of John the Baptist.
Alternate Biopic: Wilde Salomé (2011) - DirectorFranklin J. SchaffnerStarsMichael JaystonJanet SuzmanRoderic NobleTsar Nicholas II, the inept last monarch of Russia, insensitive to the needs of his people, is overthrown and exiled to Siberia with his family.Tsarina Alexandra: Empress of Russia, best known for her faith in the mystic Rasputin and for influencing the King's resistance to a surrender of autocratic authority over Russia. Both, severely damaged her popularity and that of the Romanov monarchy in its final years and resulted in her being the last Tsarina of Russia.
- DirectorSadyk Sher-NiyazStarsElina Abai KyzyNasira MambetovaJamal SeidakmatovaThe relevant epic story of the strong-willed, courageous and independent woman before her time, Kurmanjan, who is revered to this day for her diplomacy for saving her nation from complete destruction when the Russians invaded.Tsaritsa Kurmanjan Datka: Queen of Alai (Kyrgyzstan), persuaded her people to accept Russian annexation, wisely recognizing the futility of resistance and for the welfare of her people at a great personal cost.
- DirectorTrevor NunnStarsHelena Bonham CarterCary ElwesJohn WoodThe story of Lady Jane Grey, who was Queen of England for only nine days.Lady Jane Grey: Nine-Day Queen, the de facto monarch of England and Ireland for nine days. She was a traitor-heroine of the Reformation and whose Protestant martyrdom grew to legendary proportions over the centuries.
- DirectorPatrick TaulèreKim HawkinsStarsCharlotte ComerSimona CuciurianuDanny GreenWhen the cowardly bureaucrat Catus Decianus breaks a peace treaty with the Iceni by brutalizing and humiliating their queen Boudica and her daughters the Iceian and allies join the queen in a campaign of revenge against the Romans. They plunder Roman cities killing all the inhabitants and burning the cities to the ground until a vastly outnumbered Roman legion faces Boudica's furious hoard.Boudica: Celtic Queen, a British Iceni tribe chieftain who led an uprising against the occupying forces of the Roman Empire in AD 60.
- DirectorJosie RourkeStarsSaoirse RonanMargot RobbieJack LowdenMary Stuart's (Saoirse Ronan's) attempt to overthrow her cousin Elizabeth I (Margot Robbie), Queen of England, finds her condemned to years of imprisonment before facing execution.Queen Mary: Queen of Scots, only six days old when she asceded to the throne of Scotland. She also was briefly the Queen consort of France and laid claim to the English throne. Held captive for two decades, she was executed for being a threat to Queen Elizabeth.
Alternate Biopics: Mary, Queen of Scots (1971) and Mary of Scotland (1936) - DirectorVicente ArandaStarsPilar López de AyalaDaniele LiottiRosana PastorThe love story that transformed Juana, Queen of Spain, into Juana "the Mad". A story of passions, lies and jealousy with a political motive behind.Joanna of Castile: Queen of Spain, established modern Spain and became its first queen by uniting the kingdoms of Castile and Aragon under her rule.
- DirectorPablo LarraínStarsKristen StewartTimothy SpallSally HawkinsDiana Spencer, struggling with mental-health problems during her Christmas holidays with the Royal Family at their Sandringham estate in Norfolk, England, decides to end her decade-long marriage to Prince Charles.Diane Spencer: People's Princess, the beloved Princess of Wales was known for her HIV/AIDS, Landmines, and Cancer charitable work. Her fashion, style, beauty and compassion made her admired the world round; while also increasing the profile and popularity of the royal family.
Alternate Biopic Diana (2013) - DirectorOlivier DahanStarsNicole KidmanTim RothAndré PenvernThe story of former Hollywood star Grace Kelly's crisis of marriage and identity, during a political dispute between Monaco's Prince Rainier III and France's Charles De Gaulle, and a looming French invasion of Monaco in the early 1960s.Grace Kelly: Princess of Monaco, an immensely successful Academy Award winning actress over a very short career. She used her popularity as a fashion and style icon to promote her philanthropic work as princess.
- DirectorRadha Krishna JagarlamudiKangana RanautStarsKangana RanautDanny DenzongpaSuresh OberoiStory of Rani Lakshmibai, one of the leading figures of the Indian Rebellion of 1857, and her resistance to the British Rule.Rani Lakshmibai: Queen of Jhansi, Rani Lakshmibai, one of the leading figures of the Indian Rebellion of 1857 and her resistance to the British Rule.
added 10 April 2021 - DirectorDarrell RoodtStarsJennifer HudsonTerrence HowardElias KoteasA drama that chronicles the life of Winnie Mandela from her childhood through her marriage and her husband's incarceration.Winnie Mandela: "Mother of the Nation" She served as a Member of Parliament from 1994 to 2003 and from 2009 to 2018. Also, Mandela was a South African anti-apartheid activist serving on the ANC's National Executive Committee and heading its Women's League.
Alternate Biopics: Winnie was portrayed by Sophie Okonedo in Mrs Mandela (2010), by Alfre Woodard in Mandela (1987), and by Naomie Harris in Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom (2013).
added 05 February 2023 - DirectorMarie KreutzerStarsVicky KriepsFlorian TeichtmeisterKatharina LorenzA fictional account of one year in the life of Empress Elisabeth Of Austria. On Christmas Eve 1877, Elisabeth, once idolized for her beauty, turns 40 and is officially deemed an old woman; she starts trying to maintain her public image.Elisabeth of Bavaria: Empress of Austria and Queen of Hungary She helped to bring about the dual monarchy of Austria-Hungary in 1867. Sissi's was a popular royal, famed for being an unusual royal, as well as, for her more democratic leanings.
Alternate Biopics: Sissi (1955), Sissi - Die junge Kaiserin (1956), Sissi - Schicksalsjahre einer Kaiserin (1957), Mayerling (1968), and Sisi & I (2023)
added 05 February 2023