10 Drama Films Celebrating Strong Personalities

Description: Robin Williams plays John Keating, an English teacher who inspires his students to seize the day and live life to the fullest, demonstrating the power of influence and the strength of conviction.

Fact: The film was shot at St. Andrew's School in Middletown, Delaware, which was renamed Welton Academy for the movie.

Description: Oskar Schindler, portrayed by Liam Neeson, uses his factory to save over 1,000 Jewish refugees during the Holocaust, showing the strength of compassion and moral courage.

Fact: The film won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and was shot in black and white to give it a documentary feel.

Description: Julia Roberts stars as Erin Brockovich, a single mother who becomes a legal assistant and almost single-handedly brings down a California power company accused of polluting a city's water supply. Her tenacity and determination make her an unforgettable strong personality.

Fact: Julia Roberts won the Best Actress Oscar for her role, and the film was based on a true story.

Description: Adrien Brody plays Władysław Szpilman, a Polish-Jewish pianist who survives the Holocaust by hiding in the ruins of Warsaw. His story is one of survival, resilience, and the power of music.

Fact: Adrien Brody lost 30 pounds for the role and learned to play the piano, earning him the Best Actor Oscar.

Description: Russell Crowe portrays John Nash, a brilliant mathematician who battles schizophrenia while making groundbreaking contributions to economics. His story is one of intellectual strength and personal struggle.

Fact: The film was based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning biography by Sylvia Nasar.

Description: Will Smith delivers a heart-wrenching performance as Chris Gardner, a homeless salesman who pursues his dream of becoming a stockbroker, showcasing the strength of a father's love and determination.

Fact: The film's title misspells "happiness" to reflect the misspelling on a mural in San Francisco that inspired the film's story.

Description: Meryl Streep gives an Oscar-winning performance as Margaret Thatcher, Britain's first female Prime Minister, highlighting her unyielding resolve and political prowess.

Fact: Meryl Streep won her third Academy Award for Best Actress for this role.

Description: This film tells the story of King George VI, who, with the help of an unconventional speech therapist, overcomes his stammer to deliver a crucial wartime speech. It's a testament to the power of personal growth and the strength found in vulnerability.

Fact: Colin Firth won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of King George VI. The film was also nominated for 12 Oscars, winning four.

Description: Chiwetel Ejiofor stars as Solomon Northup, a free black man who is kidnapped and sold into slavery. His journey to regain his freedom is a testament to human endurance and the will to survive.

Fact: The film won the Academy Award for Best Picture, and it was based on Northup's memoir published in

Description: Eddie Redmayne stars as Stephen Hawking, depicting his life from his early days at university to his groundbreaking work in physics, all while battling motor neurone disease. It's a story of intellectual and physical strength.

Fact: Eddie Redmayne won the Best Actor Oscar for his portrayal of Stephen Hawking.