Films about the 60s often capture the essence of a transformative decade marked by social change, political upheaval, and cultural revolution. These films delve into the counterculture movements, civil rights struggles, and the Vietnam War era, offering a glimpse into the tumultuous yet vibrant spirit of the 1960s.
“Forrest Gump”, 1994
Director: Robert Zemeckis
While not solely focused on the 60s, this film follows the life of Forrest Gump, a man who inadvertently becomes a part of major events in American history, including the 1960s civil rights movement and the Vietnam War.
Starring: Tom Hanks, Robin Wright, Sally Field, Gary Sinise, Mykelti Williamson, Michael Conner Humphreys, Hanna R. Hall, Sam Anderson, Siobhan Fallon Hogan, Rebecca Williams;
Production year: 1994;
Genre: drama, comedy, melodrama, history, war;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 142 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8,8;
More information about the film “Forrest Gump” on the website imdb.com
“The Help”, 2011
Director: Tate Taylor
Set in the 1960s, this film explores the lives of African American maids working in white households in Jackson, Mississippi, during the civil rights movement.
Starring: Emma Stone, Viola Davis, Bryce Dallas Howard, Octavia Spencer, Jessica Chastain, Ahna O'Reilly, Allison Janney, Sissy Spacek, Cicely Tyson, Mary Steenburgen;
Production year: 2011;
Genre: drama;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 146 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8,1;
More information about the film “The Help” on the website imdb.com
“Selma”, 2014
Director: Ava DuVernay
This historical drama chronicles the 1965 Selma to Montgomery voting rights marches led by Martin Luther King Jr. and other civil rights activists.
Starring: David Oyelowo, Carmen Ejogo, Tom Wilkinson, Tim Roth, Lorraine Toussaint, Common, Giovanni Ribisi, Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Oprah Winfrey, Cuba Gooding Jr.;
Production year: 2014;
Genre: drama, biography, history;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 128 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,5;
More information about the film “Selma” on the website imdb.com
“The Butler”, 2013
Director: Lee Daniels
Inspired by a true story, this film follows the life of Cecil Gaines, a White House butler who serves eight presidents during the civil rights movement and Vietnam War era.
Starring: Forest Whitaker, Oprah Winfrey, Cuba Gooding Jr., David Oyelowo, Terrence Howard, Robin Williams, Liev Schreiber, Alan Rickman, John Cusack, David Banner;
Production year: 2013;
Genre: drama, biography;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 132 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,2;
“Hairspray”, 2007
Director: Adam Shankman
Based on the Broadway musical, this film is set in 1962 Baltimore and follows a teenager's dream of dancing on a local TV dance show, addressing issues of racial segregation and integration.
Starring: Nikki Blonsky, John Travolta, Michelle Pfeiffer, Christopher Walken, Amanda Bynes, James Marsden, Queen Latifah, Zac Efron, Elijah Kelley, Allison Janney;
Production year: 2007;
Genre: musical, drama, melodrama, comedy;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 117 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,7;
More information about the film “Hairspray” on the website imdb.com
“The Graduate”, 1967
Director: Mike Nichols
A classic film of the 60s, it tells the story of a recent college graduate who is seduced by an older woman and falls in love with her daughter, reflecting the generational gap and societal changes of the era.
Starring: Anne Bancroft, Dustin Hoffman, Katharine Ross, William Daniels, Murray Hamilton, Elizabeth Wilson, Buck Henry, Brian Avery, Walter Brooke, Norman Fell;
Production year: 1967;
Genre: drama, melodrama, comedy;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 105 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8;
More information about the film “The Graduate” on the website imdb.com
“Easy Rider”, 1969
Director: Dennis Hopper
A landmark counterculture film, “Easy Rider” follows two bikers as they travel through the American Southwest and South, encountering the social and political landscape of the 1960s.
Starring: Peter Fonda, Dennis Hopper, Jack Nicholson, Toni Basil, Karen Black, Antonio Mendoza, Phil Spector, Mac Mashourian, Warren Finnerty, Tita Colorado;
Production year: 1969;
Genre: drama, adventure;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 95 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,2;
More information about the film “Easy Rider” on the website imdb.com
“Woodstock”, 2019
Director: Barak Goodman, Jamila Ephron
A documentary film capturing the legendary 1969 Woodstock Music & Art Fair, showcasing the music, culture, and spirit of the iconic music festival that defined a generation.
Starring: John Roberts, Joel Rosenman, Joel Makower, Bob Spitz, Michael Lang, Buffalo Springfield, Donald Goldmacher, Mel Lawrence, John Morris, Miriam Yasgur;
Production year: 2019;
Genre: documentary, history;
Age: 18+;
Duration: 106 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,6;
More information about the film “Woodstock” on the website imdb.com
“American Graffiti”, 1973
Director: George Lucas
Directed by George Lucas, this film is set in 1962 and follows a group of teenagers on their last summer night before heading off to college, capturing the nostalgia and innocence of the early 60s.
Starring: Richard Dreyfuss, Ron Howard, Paul Le Mat, Charles Martin Smith, Cindy Williams, Candy Clark, Mackenzie Phillips, Harrison Ford, Wolfman Jack, Bo Hopkins;
Production year: 1973;
Genre: drama, comedy;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 110 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,4;
More information about the film “American Graffiti” on the website imdb.com
“Mississippi Burning”, 1988
Director: Alan Parker
Based on true events, this film revolves around the investigation of the murders of three civil rights activists in Mississippi in the 1960s, shedding light on racial tensions and injustice during that period.
Starring: Gene Hackman, Willem Dafoe, Frances McDormand, Brad Dourif, R. Lee Ermey, Gailard Sartain, Stephen Tobolowsky, Michael Rooker, Pruitt Taylor Vince, Badja Djola;
Production year: 1988;
Genre: thriller, drama, crime, detective, history;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 128 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,8;
More information about the film “Mississippi Burning” on the website imdb.com
In conclusion, the films about the 60s offer a captivating and immersive journey into a tumultuous and transformative decade in history. Through powerful storytelling, rich cinematography, and compelling performances, these films capture the essence of the era, exploring its social, political, and cultural upheavals with depth and nuance. Whether revisiting iconic events or shedding light on lesser-known stories, these films provide a lens through which audiences can reflect on the past, draw parallels to the present, and contemplate the enduring impact of the 1960s on our collective consciousness.
