15 Inspiring Movies Based on True Stories

Noble is the true story of the fearless Irish heroine, Christina Noble, who overcomes the harsh difficulties of her childhood to realize her destiny as a champion of the street children of Saigon, Vietnam.   

An extra-ordinary story of self-sacrifice and determination.  Here are just a few important lessons I noticed in the story of Christina Noble ...

• If you allow them to, your struggles gift you with special skills and equip you with unique knowledge, that when willingly shared,  become the guiding light to help others navigate the difficulties that you have successfully survived.  
  
  
• If you are privileged to live today, it's likely your ancestors have overcome incredible odds, successfully navigating troubled times in order for you to be born. You are blessed with amazing genes  - make the most of it!
  
  
• In the absence of prestige and money;  faith, boldness, tenacity and persistence will be the force to bring your dreams to fruition.
  
  
• If you aren't called to devote your life as a humanitarian, but you have been born privileged enough to provide aid to one who is, then do so, help where you can. 

What would you do if obedience to authority conflicted with your own conscience and personal values?

The Experimenter is a movie based on the famous  'Obedience Experiment' conducted by Stanley Milgram.

Volunteers involved in the experiment THINK they're delivering electric shocks to strangers as part of a study in learning.  Ignoring pleas for mercy, most subjects don't stop delivering the shocks because they've been told to go on by an authority figure.

Although I wouldn't class this movie as  "inspirational" I do believe it is an important movie to drive 'awakening' and to cause us to reflect and think upon our own behaviours.   

Here are my take-aways:  

• 74% of the volunteers said they learned something of personal importance about themselves and about the condition that shapes human action.   The movie had me asking the question what would I do?
  
  
• A stressful situation can overwhelm your personal power.   Even when feeling under pressure, stop, think, question.
  
  
• There may be times when an authority figure requires you to do something against your conscience or personal values - whether that be a person or an organization.  Do not give up your freedom to choose what is right in your heart.  
  
  
• Extending empathy and compassion toward our fellow human beings is the key to building a better world based on love rather than a world filled with pain and hatred.  We must choose to show love and compassion above all else.  The change starts with us.  

Once Chance is a romantic comedy based on the true story of Paul Potts, the unlikely opera singer who goes on to win Britain's Got Talent.

This movie is perfect for anyone trying to attain an 'impossible dream'.   It's also a fun watch full of wonderful life lessons.      Here's just a few of my take-aways:

• Do what you can to keep your sense of humor in the face of hardship and disappointment.
  
  
• If you absolutely love doing something, if it brings you joy, then that endeavor is worthy of pursuit - simply because you find delight in doing so.
  
  
• You can't always count on family to be supportive of your dreams and ideas.  You may discover they become your "threshold guardians", who rather than cheer you on, will try and keep you right where you are.  Learn to block out the negative voices and carry on.
  
  
• Look out for your 'cheer team'.  Keep them close - they will be there to cheer you through the times you feel like giving up.

A brilliant doctor from the Congo takes a job in a rural French village, where he and his family work to win over the less-than-welcoming locals.  The African Doctor is a French comedy-drama film based on the life of Seyolo Zantoko, the father of the musician Kamini. 

I laughed and learned so much from this movie. It was not only highly entertaining but highlighted important life lessons ... 

• I was inspired by the sacrifice parents will make to ensure their children are given the best opportunity in life. 

• I saw just how deep the conditioning and prejudice goes toward black people.  What they have endured is remarkable.   I drew hope from the story, that all black people will be treated with equality, respect and honour as they should be.  
  
  
• The movie teaches us the power of persistence and not giving up on our dreams...  as well as the importance of support and community to bring in needed change.  

We can all be part of the change.  

Inspired by a true story, an attorney uncovers a dark secret connecting a growing number of unexplained deaths to one of the worlds largest corporations.   If you've ever used a Teflon covered pan you'll want to watch this movie.  

I found this movie inspiring because ... 

• There are everyday people in this world willing to stand-up for the "little people" despite huge opposition and great risk to themselves.
  
  
• The movie teaches us the power of persistence, not giving up.  For the right cause, we continue...  holding on to hope.
  
  
• Through personal narratives and real life stories the truth can be told.  The story of the people must be heard.  The fact that this movie was created, uncovering corruption within a massive corporation gives me hope.   My question is why hasn't more people seen this movie? 

Brilliant movie, based on a true story  about a 13 year old boy, William Kamkwamba from Malawi.  William, with the aid of a science book he discovers in the school library,  finds a way to save his entire village from perishing by famine.   

This is a remarkable story that will touch your heart and teach you many lessons along the way.

• The power of finding a way, when it appears there is no way
• Learning to seek and ask for help when we need it
• Accepting that when you set out to achieve something remarkable,  you'll find supporters along the way, while others may mock and ridicule
• The innocent wisdom and tenacity found in youth - just because someone is young we shouldn't overlook their opinions and ideas
• Sometimes it only takes one person to believe for an entire population to benefit.  Shine your light and it will ripple out. 

I could keep sharing  more.   I haven't yet mentioned the beauty of the cinematography and the lessons shared from another culture in a world different to mine.