Help shape these rankings by voting on this list of Underrated Historical Films That Got Overshadowed By Their More Successful 'Twin'
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Vote up the most underrated historical "twin films" that got overshadowed by their much more successful counterpart.
Every so often, Hollywood manages to release two films in a very short period of time, both of which cover the same subject. Sometimes this works to both films' advantage, but far more often it does the opposite, allowing one to notably surpass the other. This can be the case even when both films manage to snag both a prominent director (such as Martin Scorsese or Oliver Stone) and a roster of big stars (such as Adrien Brody, Brian Cox, and George Clooney).
These dynamics are even more evident when the films in question are based on historical events. Audiences will typically favor one film over the other, regardless of the quality of the movie in question. Thus, it’s worth taking a look at some of the more underrated historical films which were overshadowed by their twin.
Released Before or After Platoon and Full Metal Jacket: After
Released in 1986 and 1987 respectively, Oliver Stone's Platoon and Stanley Kubrick's Full Metal Jacket received well-earned critical praise. Both films featured all-star casts and were also helmed by two well-known and highly-regarded directors, each of whom brought their unique sensibilities to their interpretation of the Vietnam War and the toll it took on US soldiers as well as innocent citizens caught in the violence.
Debuting around the same time as Full Metal Jacket in 1987, Hamburger Hill has been largely overshadowed by its two twins, both at the time of its release and since. Though featuring a somewhat less stellar cast than its counterparts, it is notable for the extent to which it has a very narrow focus on the Battle of Hamburger Hill. This gives it a particular form of intimacy sometimes lacking in other films which try to make a larger statement about the Vietnam War and its aftermath. Though underrated, Hamburger Hill still boasts a few notable names among its stars, like Dylan McDermott and Don Cheadle.
Winston Churchill is one of the most recognizable figures in 20th century British history, and 2017 was a banner year for on-screen representation of his time leading the country through WWII. In Darkest Hour, Gary Oldman gives one of his trademark performances, seeming to inhabit Churchill. While the film might take some liberties with the known historical facts, the simple emotional power of Oldman's performance allows it to soar above its inadequacies. Oldman would go on to win an Academy Award for his performance.
Though released several months earlier, the simply-titled Churchill failed to make much of a splash. This is unfortunate for, despite its notable historical inaccuracies, it still features a typically electric performance from Brian Cox as the title character. Miranda Richardson is also superbly cast as Churchill's wife, Clementine.
The 1950s and 1960s were a true golden age for the epic film, and perhaps no film was quite as epic as Ben-Hur. Based on the novel by Lew Wallace, the 1959 film follows Judah Ben-Hur (Charlton Heston), a Jewish prince who falls afoul of Rome and becomes a slave, only to rise up to become a successful chariot racer before bearing witness to the Crucifixion. Though its chariot race scene is the most famous, it is also a film of remarkable emotional depth, and it’s no wonder it went on to win a record number of Oscars (tied with Titanic and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King).
Released the next year, Stanley Kubrick's Spartacus follows the title character, played by Kirk Douglas, who goes from being a slave and gladiator to leading a revolt against the repressive power of Rome. It was a major success in its own right, and its screenplay was notable for having been written by Dalton Trumbo, who had been blacklisted. President Kennedy even gave his support to the film. Brutal and beautiful and resonant, the film's story about a failed slave rebellion retains its power to move and to inspire. In this case, Spartacus being overshadowed is not indicative of its own lack of impact, but rather the impossibly large impact of Ben-Hur.
Christopher Nolan is one of the most intriguing directors working in Hollywood today, and he has demonstrated a sustained interest in the power of narrative to make viewers think differently about how films work and how they reflect reality. The Prestige might be one of his more underrated works, but it demonstrates many of his enduring interests, focusing as it does on a pair of dueling magicians in 19th century Britain. Both Christian Bale and Hugh Jackman are perfectly cast as the lifelong rivals, and the film is filled with the typical Nolan twists and turns.
The Illusionist, likewise, depicts a magician in the 19th century, though in this case the setting is Vienna and the magician in question is Eisenheim. The Illusionist features a superb cast, including both Edward Norton (who plays the main character), Paul Giamatti, and Jessica Biel. Sadly, its release coming so close to that of The Prestige left this film as the less-remembered of the pair.
Mel Gibson's Braveheart is often regarded as one of his finest films, combining stirring emotional performances and an appropriately epic story. Focusing on Gibson’s William Wallace, it follows the renowned Scottish warrior as he leads the Scots against the invading English. It takes a number of rather egregious liberties with established historical fact, but what it lacks in accuracy, it more than makes up for with grand storytelling and an inspired performance from Gibson.
Hitting theaters just a month earlier, Rob Roy also focuses on a renowned Scot, Rob Roy MacGregor (Liam Neeson), a clan chief of the 18th century. Though it lacks some of the innate drama and stirring power of Braveheart, it is in its own way more intimate, with a rich character-driven story. Neeson is well-cast as Rob Roy, bringing his own warm gravitas to the role. Jessica Lange, John Hurt, and Tim Roth also turn out solid performances in supporting roles.
Released Before or After Saving Private Ryan: After
With Saving Private Ryan, Steven Spielberg affirmed, once again, his status as one of the most well-regarded directors of his generation. Featuring both astounding effects - including a scene depicting the Normandy invasion which is almost overwhelming in its verisimilitude - and a richly told and emotional story, it follows a group of soldiers as they set out to save a man stranded behind enemy lines. It also starred some of the biggest names of the decade, most notably Tom Hanks.
Released several months later at the end of 1998, Terence Malick’s The Thin Red Line likewise depicts the events of World War II and, like Private Ryan, it has a similarly stacked cast, including Sean Penn, Adrien Brody, and George Clooney. However, it takes a far more philosophical approach to its subject matter, delving into the emotional truth of war, which helps explain why it was overshadowed by Spielberg's more straightforwardly crowd-pleasing war film.
