Historical Films (1953 - today)
by xlf-1 | created - 09 Mar 2021 | updated - 25 Mar 2021 | PublicList starting with 1953's The Robe as the first period film in the Cinemascope format. Historical time span ranging from the stone age to the beginning of WWI in 1914. Western films are not included as they are in their own genre. I'm trying to exclude films with fantastic or fantasy elements aswell.
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1. The Robe (1953)
Approved | 135 min | Drama, History, Romance
In the Roman province of Judea during the 1st century, Roman tribune Marcellus Gallio is ordered to crucify Jesus of Nazareth but is tormented by his guilty conscience afterwards.
Director: Henry Koster | Stars: Richard Burton, Jean Simmons, Victor Mature, Michael Rennie
Votes: 11,734 | Gross: $36.00M
2. The Conqueror (1956)
Approved | 111 min | Adventure, Biography, History
Mongol chief Temujin battles against Tartar armies and for the love of the Tartar princess Bortai. Temujin becomes the emperor Genghis Khan.
Director: Dick Powell | Stars: John Wayne, Susan Hayward, Pedro Armendáriz, Agnes Moorehead
Votes: 3,865 | Gross: $4.50M
3. Genghis Khan (1965)
Approved | 120 min | Adventure, Drama, History
During the thirteenth century, the shy Mongol boy Temujin becomes the fearless leader Genghis Khan, who unites all Mongol tribes and conquers most of Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.
Director: Henry Levin | Stars: Stephen Boyd, Omar Sharif, James Mason, Eli Wallach
Votes: 2,533 | Gross: $0.00M
4. Genghis Khan: To the Ends of the Earth and Sea (2007)
R | 136 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
Epic sweep and intimate details flow together to paint the story of Temujin, the man who became Genghis Khan.
Director: Shin'ichirô Sawai | Stars: Takashi Sorimachi, Rei Kikukawa, Mayumi Wakamura, Ken'ichi Matsuyama
Votes: 902
5. Mongol: The Rise of Genghis Khan (2007)
R | 126 min | Action, Biography, Drama
The story recounts the early life of Genghis Khan who was a slave before going on to conquer half the world in 1206.
Director: Sergei Bodrov | Stars: Tadanobu Asano, Amadu Mamadakov, Khulan Chuluun, Honglei Sun
Votes: 49,183 | Gross: $5.70M
6. Nomad: The Warrior (2005)
R | 112 min | Drama, History, War
A historical epic set in 18th-century Kazakhstan, where a young man is destined to unite the country's three warring tribes.
Directors: Sergei Bodrov, Ivan Passer | Stars: Kuno Becker, Jason Scott Lee, Jay Hernandez, Doskhan Zholzhaksynov
Votes: 3,975 | Gross: $0.08M
7. Zhauzhürek myng bala (2012)
Not Rated | 132 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
A universal story about the freedom of the human spirit and the struggle against slavery and despotism, about love, loss and betrayal. It is seen through the eyes of simple Kazakh kids and teenagers.
Director: Akan Satayev | Stars: Asylkhan Tolypov, Ayan Utepbergen, Kuralai Anabekova, Tlektes Meiramov
Votes: 983
8. Mohenjo Daro (2016)
Not Rated | 155 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
In 2016 BC, a kind farmer leads an uprising in the city of Mohenjo Daro.
Director: Ashutosh Gowariker | Stars: Hrithik Roshan, Pooja Hegde, Kabir Bedi, Arunoday Singh
Votes: 12,724 | Gross: $1.25M
9. Kurukshetra (2019)
185 min | History, War
The film is based on the epic Mahabharata and poet Ranna's Gadhayuddha's story narrates the events of the Kurukshetra war.
Director: Naganna | Stars: Darshan Thoogudeep, Arjun Sarja, V. Ravichandran, Ambarish
Votes: 1,731
10. Siddhartha (1972)
R | 89 min | Drama, Mystery
The story of a young Indian who embarks upon a journey to find the meaning of existence. Based on the novel by Hermann Hesse.
Director: Conrad Rooks | Stars: Shashi Kapoor, Simi Garewal, Romesh Sharma, Pinchoo Kapoor
Votes: 1,297
11. Tathagatha Buddha The Life & Times of Gautama Buddha (2008)
127 min | Biography, Drama
Siddharta, a Prince of Kapilavastu, gave up the royal life and family to gain freedom by seeking the path to end human misery, which arises out of ignorance. In the process of finding the path, he attained divinity and became a Buddha.
Director: Sridhar Allani | Stars: Sunil Sharma, Parvati Melton, Surendra Pal, Suman
Votes: 35
12. Asoka (2001)
R | 180 min | Action, Biography, Drama
The epic tale of King Asoka's life is recounted.
Director: Santosh Sivan | Stars: Shah Rukh Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Danny Denzongpa, Hrishitaa Bhatt
Votes: 15,211 | Gross: $0.70M
13. Mayura (1975)
178 min | Drama, History
The movie presents the story of a saintly boy who realises his royal connections and his return to his rightful place
Director: Vijay | Stars: Rajkumar, Vajramuni, K.S. Ashwath, Shakti Prasad
Votes: 336
14. Raja Raja Chozhan (1973)
174 min | Drama, History, War
Emperor Raja Raja Chozan seems to count a little too much on his newly-appointed, deceptive minister. But he knows what he is doing.
Director: A.P. Nagarajan | Stars: Shivaji Ganesan, Varalakshmi S., Gandhimathi, Sirkazhi S. Govindarajan
Votes: 137
15. Urumi: The Warriors Who Wanted to Kill Vasco Da Gama (2011)
172 min | Action, Drama
Chirakkal Kelu Nayanar, a warrior in 16th century Kerala wants to avenge his father killed in a confrontation with Vasco da Gama and his troops and is assisted by his best friend Vavvali and warrior princess Ayesha.
Director: Santosh Sivan | Stars: Prithviraj Sukumaran, Prabhu Deva, Genelia Deshmukh, Nithya Menen
Votes: 2,294
16. Jodhaa Akbar (2008)
Not Rated | 213 min | Action, Drama, History
A 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.
Director: Ashutosh Gowariker | Stars: Hrithik Roshan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Sonu Sood, Poonam Sinha
Votes: 34,594 | Gross: $3.44M
17. Mughal-E-Azam (1960)
Not Rated | 197 min | Drama, Romance, War
A 16th century prince falls in love with a court dancer and battles with his emperor father.
Director: K. Asif | Stars: Prithviraj Kapoor, Madhubala, Dilip Kumar, Durga Khote
Votes: 8,824 | Gross: $0.16M
18. Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior (2020)
Not Rated | 135 min | Action, Biography, Drama
Tanhaji Malusare, a military chieftain in the army of the Maratha king Shivaji, leads the charge to capture the strategically important Kondhana fort guarded by the army of the fierce Rajput chieftain Udaybhan Rathod.
Director: Om Raut | Stars: Ajay Devgn, Saif Ali Khan, Sharad Kelkar, Kajol
Votes: 36,011
19. Veerapandiya Kattabomman (1959)
201 min | Biography, Drama, History
When the British East India Company forces polygar Kattabomman to pay taxes, levies and be their subsidiary ruler, he openly defies their policy and battles them until his arrest and hanging.
Director: B. Ramakrishnaiah Panthulu | Stars: Shivaji Ganesan, Gemini Ganesan, Padmini, Varalakshmi S.
Votes: 255
20. Panipat (2019)
Not Rated | 171 min | Action, Drama, History
The Great Betrayal is a War Epic set in 1761, when Sadashiv Rao Bhau Peshwa led the Maratha army to the north of India to repel the invading forces of Ahmad Shah Abdali, the King of Afghanistan.
Director: Ashutosh Gowariker | Stars: Arjun Kapoor, Sanjay Dutt, Kriti Sanon, Mohnish Behl
Votes: 6,103
21. Laal Kaptaan (2019)
Not Rated | 155 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
In an 18th century setting, a Naga sadhu in India sets out on a journey across Bundelkhand to seek revenge for an injustice committed in the past.
Director: Navdeep Singh | Stars: Saif Ali Khan, Zoya Hussain, Manav Vij, Deepak Dobriyal
Votes: 5,338
22. Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja (2009)
Not Rated | 195 min | Action, Biography, Drama
Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja is a 2009 Malayalam historical drama film based on the life of Pazhassi Raja, a Hindu king who fought against the British in the 18th century.
Director: T. Hariharan | Stars: Mammootty, Mohanlal, R. Sarathkumar, Manoj K. Jayan
Votes: 3,375
23. Thugs of Hindostan (2018)
Not Rated | 164 min | Action, Adventure
A story about one man's love for his nation and another's love for power. An epic adventure filled with edge-of-the-seat thrills and war on the seas.
Director: Vijay Krishna Acharya | Stars: Lloyd Owen, Aamir Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, Katrina Kaif
Votes: 21,957 | Gross: $1.45M
24. The Deceivers (1988)
PG-13 | 102 min | Adventure, Crime, Drama
Fact-based account of a secret society of murderers, and of the man who exposed them in British India 1825.
Director: Nicholas Meyer | Stars: Pierce Brosnan, Saeed Jaffrey, Shashi Kapoor, Helena Michell
Votes: 1,270 | Gross: $0.35M
25. Veer (2010)
Not Rated | 169 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
Prithvi seeks revenge on Gyanendra Singh and the British. He sends his son Veer to Britain to study their plans. Veer kills Gyanendra's son but ends up falling in love with his daughter.
Director: Anil Sharma | Stars: Salman Khan, Jackie Shroff, Mithun Chakraborty, Neena Gupta
Votes: 8,778 | Gross: $0.50M
26. Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy (2019)
Not Rated | 167 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
A historical action epic inspired by the life of Uyyalawada Narasimha Reddy, who revolted against the atrocities of East India Company 10 years before the Sepoy Mutiny.
Director: Surender Reddy | Stars: Chiranjeevi, Amitabh Bachchan, Sudeep, Vijay Sethupathi
Votes: 8,603
27. Junoon (1979)
141 min | Drama
Set during the 1857 War of Independence, an obsessed Indian Nawab desires to wed a young Anglo-Indian woman, but the girl's obstinate mother stands between them.
Director: Shyam Benegal | Stars: Shashi Kapoor, Nafisa Ali, Shabana Azmi, Naseeruddin Shah
Votes: 572
28. Mangal Pandey (2005)
Not Rated | 150 min | Biography, Drama, History
This is a film about the leader of the 1857 mutiny and his fight against the British rule.
Director: Ketan Mehta | Stars: Aamir Khan, Rani Mukerji, Toby Stephens, Coral Beed
Votes: 10,503 | Gross: $0.87M
29. Palay Khan (1986)
Not Rated | 145 min | Action, Thriller
The British government have taken over there rule in a deserted region in India. But some of the people there strive for freedom; one of those brave freedom fighter is Palay Khan, who owes ... See full summary »
Director: Ashim S. Samanta | Stars: Jackie Shroff, Poonam Dhillon, Farha Naaz, Anupam Kher
Votes: 76
30. Vijaya Kuweni (2012)
138 min | Drama, History
The legends of Ceylon's first king and his yaksha clan queen.
Director: Sugath Samarakoon | Stars: Dulani Anuradha, Anura Dharmasiriwardena, Sanet Dikkumbura, Wilson Karunaratne
Votes: 13
31. Abá (2008)
Biography, Drama, History
The childhood story of king Pandukabhaya (474 BC - 367 BC), the 6th monarch of Sri Lanka.
Director: Jackson Anthony | Stars: Neil Alles, Senaka Titus Anthony, Dulani Anuradha, Sajitha Anuththara
Votes: 170
32. Mahindagamanaya (2011)
124 min | Drama, History
Director: Sanath Abeysekara | Stars: Jeevan Kumarathunga, Dilhani Ekanayake, Roshan Pilapitaya, Roshan Ranawana
Votes: 20
33. Maharaja Gemunu (2015)
150 min | Action, Adventure, History
Dutugamunu also known as Dutthagamani and Gamani Abhaya ("fearless Gamini"), was a Sinhalese king of Sri Lanka who reigned from 161 BC to 137 BC. He is renowned for defeating and ... See full summary »
Director: Jayantha Chandrasiri | Stars: Uddika Premarathna, Jackson Anthony, Kusum Renu, Sriyantha Mendis
Votes: 968
34. Aloko Udapadi (2017)
113 min | Drama, History
"Aloko Udapadi" ("Light Arose") is an Epic Film of the unswerving human effort to record for all time, a unique spiritual heritage. In 89 BC, King Walagamba of Sinhala kingdom (present day ... See full summary »
Directors: Chathra Weeraman, Bharatha Hettiarachchi | Stars: Uddika Premarathna, Dilhani Ekanayake, Roshan Ravindra, Menaka Peiris
Votes: 6,882
35. Siri Daladagamanaya (2014)
Drama, History
This is the story of how the Sacred Tooth was brought in to Lanka Deepa.
Director: Sanath Abeysekara | Stars: Prasadi Samarakone, Heshan Manula, Jeevan Kumarathunga, Geetha Kumarasinghe
Votes: 10
36. The God King (1974)
99 min | Drama
Director: Lester James Peries | Stars: Joe Abeywickrama, Mano Breckenridge, Vijaya Kumaratunga, Menik Kurukulasooriya
Votes: 27
37. Siri Parakum (2013)
History
The 1st queen of the king dies in child birth, the prince survives. After the 2nd queen, gives birth to a new prince, she plots to kill the 1st prince, so that her son would get the crown ... See full summary »
Director: Somaratne Dissanayake | Stars: Pramuditha Udaya Kumara, Senali. Fonseka, Bimal Jayakodi, Jayani Senanayake
Votes: 158
38. The Last Woman of Shang (1964)
108 min | Drama, History
Admist a rebellion during the Ching Dynasty in ancient China, a nurse flees the palace with a young prince. As an adult, he convinces the daughter of the usurper to betray her father and to assist in restoring him as the rightful monarch.
Directors: Feng Yueh, In-hyeon Choi | Stars: Dai Lin, Yeong-gyun Shin, Pat Ting Hung, Won Namkung
Votes: 54
39. Sacrifice (2010)
R | 122 min | Action, Drama, History
To save the only child of the Zhao Family, whose entire clan was massacred at the hands of a nefarious minister, a doctor sacrifices his own son; after the Zhao child grows up, the doctor becomes intent on seeking his vengeance.
Director: Kaige Chen | Stars: You Ge, Xueqi Wang, Xiaoming Huang, Bingbing Fan
Votes: 2,489
40. Confucius (2010)
TV-MA | 125 min | Biography, Drama, History
The life story of the highly-influential Chinese philosopher, Confucius.
Director: Mei Hu | Stars: Chow Yun-Fat, Xun Zhou, Jianbin Chen, Quan Ren
Votes: 3,989
41. Battle of the Warriors (2006)
R | 133 min | Action, Drama, War
Story centers on a battle during China's Warring States Period, a series of civil wars, which spanned from the 5th to the 3rd century B.C. Based on a popular Japanese manga, which was in turn based a Japanese novel inspired by Warring States history in China.
Director: Chi Leung 'Jacob' Cheung | Stars: Andy Lau, Ahn Sung-ki, Zhiwen Wang, Bingbing Fan
Votes: 4,404
42. The Warring States (2011)
Not Rated | 125 min | Drama, War
Rival Chinese military strategists Sun Bin (Sun Hong-lei) and Pang Juan (Francis Ng) clash in this historic war adventure set during the Era of Warring States.
Director: Chen Jin | Stars: Tian Jing, Honglei Sun, Kim Hee-seon, Francis Ng
Votes: 574
43. The Emperor's Shadow (1996)
130 min | Drama, History
Epic drama about China's first emperor (221 BC) who struggles to make his childhood best friend, now China's greatest composer, succumb to his will and compose a grand anthem to his exploits.
Director: Xiaowen Zhou | Stars: Wen Jiang, You Ge, Qing Xu, Chung Chang
Votes: 722 | Gross: $0.07M
44. Mai tian (2009)
108 min | Action, Drama, History
Director: Ping He | Stars: Bingbing Fan, Jue Huang, Jiayi Du, Xueqi Wang
Votes: 362
45. The Emperor and the Assassin (1998)
R | 162 min | Drama, History, Romance
In pre-unified China, the King of Qin sends his concubine to a rival kingdom to produce an assassin for a political plot, but as the king's cruelty mounts she finds her loyalty faltering.
Director: Kaige Chen | Stars: Gong Li, Fengyi Zhang, Zhou Sun, Xiaohe Lü
Votes: 6,469 | Gross: $1.33M
46. The Great Conqueror's Concubine (1994)
165 min | Action, Drama, History
Insurrection deposes the tyrannical first emperor of China during the evil Qin Dynasty. Warrior/general Xiang Yu and the cunning peasant Liu Pang join forces to win through civil war. Xiang... See full summary »
Director: Stephen Shin | Stars: Ray Lui, Rosamund Kwan, Gong Li, Fengyi Zhang
Votes: 299
47. White Vengeance (2011)
Not Rated | 135 min | Action, Drama, History
White Vengeance tells the story of two brothers contending for supremacy during the fall of the Qin Dynasty, which ruled Imperial China from 221 to 206 BC. As rebels rose, the nation fell ... See full summary »
Director: Daniel Lee | Stars: Shaofeng Feng, Leon Lai, Hanyu Zhang, Anthony Chau-Sang Wong
Votes: 2,008
48. The Last Supper (2012)
Not Rated | 120 min | Action, History
The story of two warring generals (Liu Bang and Xiang Yu) fighting for control of China at the end of the Qin Dynasty.
Director: Chuan Lu | Stars: Ye Liu, Daniel Wu, Chang Chen, Lan Qin
Votes: 921
49. Red Cliff (2008)
R | 148 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
The first chapter of a two-part story centered on a battle fought in China's Three Kingdoms period (220-280 A.D.).
Director: John Woo | Stars: Tony Leung Chiu-wai, Takeshi Kaneshiro, Fengyi Zhang, Chang Chen
Votes: 48,490 | Gross: $0.63M
50. The Assassins (2012)
Not Rated | 107 min | Drama, History
Set in the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history, the story focuses on Cao Cao in his old age, exploring the areas of military tactics, love, and the relationship between father and son.
Director: Linshan Zhao | Stars: Chow Yun-Fat, Liu Yifei, Hiroshi Tamaki, Alec Su
Votes: 2,123
51. The Lost Bladesman (2011)
Not Rated | 109 min | Action, Biography, Drama
The story of legendary Guan Yu crossing five passes & slaying six generals. He played a major role in the civil war that led to the collapse of Han Dynasty & the establishment of Shu Han of the 3 Kingdoms, making Liu Bei its first emperor.
Directors: Felix Chong, Alan Mak | Stars: Donnie Yen, Wen Jiang, Li Sun, Bing Shao
Votes: 4,534
52. Three Kingdoms (2008)
R | 102 min | Action, Drama, History
Based on "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" by Luo Guangzhong. It ranks as one of China's four most important pieces of literature.
Director: Daniel Lee | Stars: Andy Lau, Sammo Kam-Bo Hung, Maggie Q, Cunxin Pu
Votes: 6,675
53. An Empress and the Warriors (2008)
R | 99 min | Action, Drama, History
After the death of her father, a woman is forced to take over as empress and fight to save her kingdom.
Director: Siu-Tung Ching | Stars: Kelly Chen, Donnie Yen, Leon Lai, Xiaodong Guo
Votes: 4,140
54. Mulan: Rise of a Warrior (2009)
Not Rated | 114 min | Adventure, Drama, Romance
The epic story of the Chinese girl-warrior, Mulan, who fights to defend her father.
Directors: Jingle Ma, Wei Dong | Stars: Wei Zhao, Kun Chen, Rongguang Yu, Jiao Xu
Votes: 6,873
55. The Shaolin Temple (1982)
Not Rated | 100 min | Action, Comedy, Drama
A young man, hounded by a psychopathic general, learns martial arts at the Shaolin temple to avenge his father's death. To achieve this he forgoes a budding romance with his kungfu master's daughter, a shepherdess.
Director: Hsin-Yen Chang | Stars: Jet Li, Hai Yu, Chenghui Yu, Lan Ding
Votes: 4,768
56. Tian di ying xiong (2003)
R | 120 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
A Chinese emissary is sent to the Gobi desert to execute a renegade soldier. When a caravan transporting a Buddhist monk and a valuable treasure is threatened by thieves, however, the two warriors might unite to protect the travelers.
Director: Ping He | Stars: Wen Jiang, Kiichi Nakai, Xueqi Wang, Wei Zhao
Votes: 4,442 | Gross: $0.08M
57. Shi san tai bao Li Cun Xiao (1977)
Not Rated | 82 min | Action, Adventure
After the famous General Stone is stricken down in battle under mysterious circumstances, his talented son Flash Legs (Tan Tao Liang) vows to investigate the strange death and get to the truth of the matter.
Director: Hung Tao | Stars: Polly Ling-Feng Shang-Kuan, Tao-Liang Tan, Shen-Lin Chen, Yuan Chuan
Votes: 40
58. The Heroic Ones (1970)
PG-13 | 117 min | Action, Drama, History
The "iron triangle" of director Chang Cheh and protégés David Chiang and Ti Lung make The Heroic Ones a quintessential action epic, set during the waning years of the Tang Dynasty and centering on a royal family rife with intrigue.
Director: Cheh Chang | Stars: David Chiang, Han Chin, Lung Ti, Lily Li
Votes: 856
59. Curse of the Golden Flower (2006)
R | 114 min | Action, Drama, Romance
During China's Tang dynasty the emperor has taken the princess of a neighboring province as wife. She has borne him two sons and raised his eldest. Now his control over his dominion is complete, including the royal family itself.
Director: Yimou Zhang | Stars: Chow Yun-Fat, Gong Li, Jay Chou, Ye Liu
Votes: 45,957 | Gross: $6.57M
60. All the King's Men (1983)
100 min | Action, Drama
It's the 10th century BC, the emperor is not well, and the medicines he is receiving from con artist "Immortal Li" are in reality only making him worse.
Director: King Hu | Stars: Feng Tien, Bao-Yun Tang, Tai-Ching Tsui, Szu-Cheng Mu
Votes: 200
61. Saving General Yang (2013)
Not Rated | 102 min | Adventure, History, War
In ancient China, the seven heirs of the Yang family face a horde of enemies to rescue their father.
Director: Ronny Yu | Stars: Fan Xu, Adam Cheng, Ekin Cheng, Bo Yu
Votes: 2,892
62. The Eight Diagram Pole Fighter (1984)
Not Rated | 98 min | Action, Drama
Mongols with the help of an insider, ambush the influential Yang Family, defenders of the dynasty. The Mongols must hunt down all Yang survivors so their insidious plot to overthrow the dynasty will not be uncovered.
Director: Chia-Liang Liu | Stars: Chia-Hui Liu, Sheng Fu, Lily Li, Kara Wai
Votes: 3,554
63. Tonkô (1988)
PG-13 | 99 min | Adventure, Drama, History
In 1026, students in western China are shanghaied into the forces of crown prince Li Yuanhao of Xi Xia, who wants to control the length of the Silk Road. One student is Zhao Xingde, who ... See full summary »
Director: Jun'ya Satô | Stars: Kôichi Satô, Toshiyuki Nishida, Anna Nakagawa, Tsunehiko Watase
Votes: 280 | Gross: $0.12M
64. The 14 Amazons (1972)
R | 125 min | Adventure, Drama, History
The cast of The 14 Amazons is a veritable "who's who" of golden age of Shaw Brothers swordplay adventures, and was not only a major box office hit.
Directors: Kang Cheng, Shao-Yung Tung | Stars: Hua Tsung, Mei Sheng Fan, Chung-Hsin Huang, Feng Tien
Votes: 513
65. Legendary Amazons (2011)
Not Rated | 107 min | Action
In early 11th century China, the Song Dynasty is being invaded by armies of the rival state Western Xia. Yang, the last of a long line of Song generals, is killed and his widowed wife Mu ... See full summary »
Director: Frankie Chan | Stars: Cecilia Cheung, Xiaoqing Liu, Richie Jen, Pei-Pei Cheng
Votes: 802
66. Journey to Western Xia Empire (1997)
110 min | Drama
In medieval China, soldiers are dispatched by the emperor to collect male children who will be molded into warriors. The mother of one kidnapped child follows the soldiers' procession to ... See full summary »
Director: Wei Lu | Stars: Badema, Li Po Lung, Dahong Ni
Votes: 54
67. Fall of Ming (2013)
110 min | Drama, History
Ming Emperor Chongzhen 1642 CE and General Chaunting plan to defend Kaifeng and prevent the Dynasty's fall. The army faces many problems and an epidemic. Healer Youke treats with a new method found relevant even in today's SARS outbreak.
Director: Jing Wang | Stars: Yuanzheng Feng, Leon Dai, Bo Feng, Yang Yang
Votes: 467
68. Brotherhood of Blades (2014)
Not Rated | 111 min | Action
This is a movie set in the late Ming Dynasty. The 3 main characters are all elite guards for the palace. One of their fellow guardsmen goes bad. His former companions must now forget their ... See full summary »
Director: Yang Lu | Stars: Chang Chen, Qianyuan Wang, Yuan Nie, Shih-Chieh King
Votes: 3,705
69. Yingxiong Zheng Chengong (2001)
101 min | Action, Drama, War
The story is set in the mid-17th century, when most of China is conquered by the Manchu-led Qing dynasty after the collapse of the Ming dynasty. Ming remnants have fled south and established a Southern Ming regime based in Fujian.
Director: Ziniu Wu | Stars: Wenzhuo Zhao, Qinqin Jiang, Zhiguo Du, Yôko Shimada
Votes: 86
70. The Opium War (1997)
153 min | Drama, History, War
Historical Drama starting in 1839 in Guangzhou where British merchants dealing with opium are to be executed because the opium is destroying the Empire. After the burning of 20,000 boxes of... See full summary »
Director: Jin Xie | Stars: Guoan Bao, Liankun Lin, Sihung Lung, Debra Beaumont
Votes: 599
71. The Warlords (2007)
R | 126 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
China, 1860s: Having his army slaughtered, General Qingyun joins 2 bandit leaders in raids on rebels and in blood oath. They form a Qing loyal army with eyes on rebel held Suzhou and Nanjing.
Directors: Peter Ho-Sun Chan, Wai-Man Yip | Stars: Jet Li, Andy Lau, Takeshi Kaneshiro, Jinglei Xu
Votes: 27,815 | Gross: $0.13M
72. Qing guo qing cheng (1975)
165 min | Drama, History
This dragon lady of the Ching Dynasty was the power behind the throne for 50 years, and hew vast tapestry of palace intrigues is vividly brought to the screen in this memorable epic.
Director: Han Hsiang Li | Stars: Lisa Lu, Ivy Ling Po, Lung Ti, Yao Hsiao
Votes: 131
73. Da taijian Li Lianying (1991)
110 min | Drama, History, Romance
The story of Li Lianying, a eunuch who wielded power in the waning days of the Qing Dynasty. The film was entered into the 41st Berlin International Film Festival, where it won an Honourable Mention.
Director: Zhuangzhuang Tian | Stars: Wen Jiang, Xiaoqing Liu, Jiali Ding, Xianzhen Feng
Votes: 127
75. 55 Days at Peking (1963)
Unrated | 154 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
During the 1900 Boxer Rebellion, U.S. marine, Maj. Matt Lewis, along with British consul, Sir Arthur Robertson, develop a plan to keep the rebels at bay until an international military relief force can arrive.
Directors: Nicholas Ray, Guy Green, Andrew Marton | Stars: Charlton Heston, Ava Gardner, David Niven, Flora Robson
Votes: 7,419
76. Bai yin di guo (2009)
113 min | Biography, Drama, Family
In 1899, a care-free young man must prepare to take over his family's Chinese banking empire.
Director: Christina Yao | Stars: Aaron Kwok, Tielin Zhang, Lei Hao, Jennifer Tilly
Votes: 836
77. Red River Valley (1997)
115 min | Drama, History, Romance
At the turn of the century, a young Chinese girl escapes from a religious sacrifice, and is rescued by an honorable Tibetan herdsman. The two fall in love, but problems arise when she is ... See full summary »
Director: Xiaoning Feng | Stars: Jing Ning, Bing Shao, Zhen Ying, Paul Kersey
Votes: 379
78. The Woman Knight of Mirror Lake (2011)
115 min | Biography, Drama
The film tells the story of Qiu Jin and her involvement in revolutionary uprisings against the Qing Dynasty in Anhui province. Influences on her life are shown through a series of flashbacks.
Director: Herman Yau | Stars: Yi Huang, Yu-Hang To, Rose Chan, Patricia Ha
Votes: 406
79. Ye ming (2007)
125 min | Biography
Road To Dawn is a historical fiction movie based on the life of Dr Sun Yat Sen, first provisional president of modern China in 1911, as a young revolutionary as an exile in Penang. It ... See full summary »
Director: Derek Chiu | Stars: Winston Chao, Angelica Lee, Yue Wu, Himanshu Bhatt
Votes: 26
80. Magnificent 72 (1980)
107 min | Drama, History
Director: Shan-Hsi Ting | Stars: Brigitte Lin, Shao-Tung Chou, Hsiao-Fei Li, Feng Hsu
Votes: 25
81. Bodyguards and Assassins (2009)
Not Rated | 139 min | Action, Drama, History
In 1905, revolutionist Sun Yat-Sen visits Hong Kong to discuss plans with Tongmenghui members to overthrow the Qing dynasty. But when they find out that assassins have been sent to kill him, they assemble a group of protectors to prevent any attacks.
Director: Teddy Chan | Stars: Xueqi Wang, Tony Ka Fai Leung, Jun Hu, Bo-Chieh Wang
Votes: 8,543
82. 1911 (2011)
R | 99 min | Drama, History, War
A historical drama based on the founding of the Republic of China when nationalist forces led by Sun Yat-sen overthrew the Qing Dynasty.
Directors: Tao Hai, Wei Li, Guoqiang Tang, Li Zhang, Jackie Chan | Stars: Jackie Chan, Winston Chao, Bingbing Li, Chun Sun
Votes: 6,527 | Gross: $0.13M
83. Gate of Hell (1953)
Not Rated | 89 min | Drama, History
A samurai pursues a married lady-in-waiting.
Director: Teinosuke Kinugasa | Stars: Machiko Kyô, Kazuo Hasegawa, Isao Yamagata, Yatarô Kurokawa
Votes: 4,275
84. Sansho the Bailiff (1954)
Not Rated | 124 min | Drama
In medieval Japan, a compassionate governor is sent into exile. His wife and children try to join him, but are separated, and the children grow up amid suffering and oppression.
Director: Kenji Mizoguchi | Stars: Kinuyo Tanaka, Yoshiaki Hanayagi, Kyôko Kagawa, Eitarô Shindô
Votes: 18,223
85. Seven Samurai (1954)
Not Rated | 207 min | Action, Drama
Farmers from a village exploited by bandits hire a veteran samurai for protection, who gathers six other samurai to join him.
Director: Akira Kurosawa | Stars: Toshirô Mifune, Takashi Shimura, Keiko Tsushima, Yukiko Shimazaki
Votes: 366,757 | Gross: $0.27M
86. Samurai I: Musashi Miyamoto (1954)
Not Rated | 93 min | Action, Adventure, Biography
Depicts the early life of the legendary warrior Musashi Miyamoto; his years as an aspiring warrior, an outlaw and finally a true samurai.
Director: Hiroshi Inagaki | Stars: Toshirô Mifune, Mariko Okada, Rentarô Mikuni, Kurôemon Onoe
Votes: 9,508
87. A Story from Chikamatsu (1954)
Not Rated | 102 min | Drama, Romance, Thriller
Ishun is a wealthy but unsympathetic master printer who has wrongly accused his wife and best employee of being lovers. To escape punishment, the accused run away together, but Ishun is certain to be ruined if word gets out.
Director: Kenji Mizoguchi | Stars: Kazuo Hasegawa, Kyôko Kagawa, Eitarô Shindô, Eitarô Ozawa
Votes: 4,947
88. Bloody Spear at Mount Fuji (1955)
Not Rated | 94 min | Adventure, Drama
A samurai travels to Edo with his two servants. On their way, they meet many people and encounter great injustice.
Director: Tomu Uchida | Stars: Chiezô Kataoka, Ryûnosuke Tsukigata, Chizuru Kitagawa, Yuriko Tashiro
Votes: 956
89. Samurai II: Duel at Ichijoji Temple (1955)
TV-PG | 104 min | Action, Adventure, Biography
Musashi Miyamoto returns to Kyoto after years of absence. After a series of fights against the Yoshioka School, he challenges its master to a duel.
Director: Hiroshi Inagaki | Stars: Toshirô Mifune, Mariko Okada, Kôji Tsuruta, Kaoru Yachigusa
Votes: 6,961
90. The Lone Journey (1955)
91 min
Director: Hiroshi Inagaki | Stars: Ryô Ikebe, Mariko Okada, Akihiko Hirata, Katsuji Ichikawa
91. Taira Clan Saga (1955)
108 min | Drama, History
After his father is not rewarded for his military achievements, Taira Kiyomori rebels against the court and the monks who rule the country. He also falls in love with Tokiko and discovers unsettling revelations about his parentage.
Director: Kenji Mizoguchi | Stars: Narutoshi Hayashi, Raizô Ichikawa, Tatsuya Ishiguro, Michiyo Kogure
Votes: 1,101
92. Samurai III: Duel at Ganryu Island (1956)
TV-PG | 105 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
Musashi Miyamoto is challenged to a duel by a confident swordsman Sasaki Kojiro. He agrees to fight him in a year's time.
Director: Hiroshi Inagaki | Stars: Toshirô Mifune, Mariko Okada, Kôji Tsuruta, Kaoru Yachigusa
Votes: 6,698
93. The Seven Vows (1956)
151 min
Director: Sadatsugu Matsuda | Stars: Harue Akagi, Ushio Akashi, Ryûtarô Aoyagi, Kôji Arima
Votes: 10
94. Yagyû renyasai: hidentsuki kageshô (1956)
83 min | Action, Drama
Increased competition between two samurai brothers, threatening to tear their clan apart, eventually leads them to a duel to the death in the early Edo Period. One of them is trained in the... See full summary »
Director: Katsuhiko Tasaka | Stars: Raizô Ichikawa, Shintarô Katsu, Yatarô Kurokawa, Ryôsuke Kagawa
Votes: 29
95. Kaii Utsunomiya tsuritenjô (1956)
80 min | Action, Horror
Ryutaro is a spy employed by the shogun Tokugawa Iemitsu, who is the target of assassination attempts that aim to hand power over to his younger brother Tadanaga.
Director: Nobuo Nakagawa | Stars: Hiroshi Ogasawara, Akemi Tsukushi, Tetsurô Tanba, Konomi Fuji
Votes: 112
96. Ningyô Sashichi torimonochô: Yôen roku shibijin (1956)
75 min | Crime, Drama
Director: Nobuo Nakagawa | Stars: Tomisaburô Wakayama, Keiko Hibino, Misako Uji, Kodayû Ichikawa
Votes: 18
97. Throne of Blood (1957)
Not Rated | 110 min | Drama
A war-hardened general, egged on by his ambitious wife, works to fulfill a prophecy that he would become lord of Spider's Web Castle.
Director: Akira Kurosawa | Stars: Toshirô Mifune, Minoru Chiaki, Isuzu Yamada, Takashi Shimura
Votes: 55,931
98. Yagyû bugeichô (1957)
106 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
In the Tokugawa Era, the clan of Lord Yagyu has hidden away three scrolls containing clan secrets which, if revealed, would cause revolution and disaster for the clan. The information is ... See full summary »
Director: Hiroshi Inagaki | Stars: Toshirô Mifune, Yoshiko Kuga, Kyôko Kagawa, Mariko Okada
Votes: 155
99. Temple of Revenge (1957)
92 min | Action
Director: Masahiro Makino | Stars: Mitsuo Asano, Hideo Azuma, Ryuko Azuma, Shinobu Chihara
100. Sword in the Moonlight (1957)
106 min | Drama
Tsukue Ryunosuke is a master swordsman with an evil style, reflecting the evil in his heart.
Director: Tomu Uchida | Stars: Chiezô Kataoka, Kinnosuke Nakamura, Yumiko Hasegawa, Satomi Oka
Votes: 101
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