Playlists > 🏹 Popular folk hero movies and TV shows

🏹 Popular folk hero movies and TV shows
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Defender of the common people, these popular real, fictional or mythological heroes are immortalised through film and TV.

Feel free to send me more recommendations.


Creator: Greer
Posted: 3 years ago
 
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TV Show: Robin Hood ( 2006 )
Drama series which gives a contemporary feel to the classic Robin Hood legend, focusing on Robin Hood's fight against the evil and corrupt Sheriff of Nottingham.
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Movie: Warrior Queen Boudica ( 2006 )
When the cowardly bureaucrat Catus Decianus breaks a peace treaty with the Iceni by brutalizing and humiliating their queen Boudica and her daughters the Iceian and allies join the queen in a campaign of revenge against the Romans. They plunder Roman cities killing all the inhabitants and burning the cities to the ground until a vastly outnumbered Roman legion faces Boudica's furious hoard.
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Movie: The New World ( 2006 )
The story of the English exploration of Virginia, and of the changing world and loves of Pocahontas.
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Movie: The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe ( 2005 )
Four kids travel through a wardrobe to the land of Narnia and learn of their destiny to free it with the guidance of a mystical lion.
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Movie: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire ( 2005 )
A young wizard finds himself competing in a hazardous tournament between rival schools of magic, but he is distracted by recurring nightmares.
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Movie: The Legend of Zorro ( 2005 )
Despite trying to keep his swashbuckling to a minimum, a threat to California's pending statehood causes the adventure-loving Don Alejandro de la Vega (Antonio Banderas) and his wife, Elena (Catherine Zeta-Jones), to take action.
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Movie: Alexander ( 2004 )
Alexander (Colin Farrell), the King of Macedonia and one of the greatest army leaders in the history of warfare, conquers much of the known world.
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Movie: The Legend of Butch & Sundance ( 2004 )
Just before the turn of the Century two young outlaws team up for a historic ride. Based on historical references, the "True Story" of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.
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Movie: King Arthur ( 2004 )
A demystified take on the tale of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table.
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Movie: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban ( 2004 )
Harry Potter, Ron and Hermione return to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry for their third year of study, where they delve into the mystery surrounding an escaped prisoner who poses a dangerous threat to the young wizard.
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Movie: Troy ( 2004 )
An adaptation of Homer's great epic, the film follows the assault on Troy by the united Greek forces and chronicles the fates of the men involved.
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Movie: Van Helsing ( 2004 )
The notorious monster hunter is sent to Transylvania to stop Count Dracula who is using Dr. Frankenstein's research and a werewolf for some sinister purpose.
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Movie: The Alamo ( 2004 )
Based on the 1836 standoff between a group of Texan and Tejano men, led by Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie, and Mexican dictator Santa Anna's forces at the Alamo in San Antonio Texas.
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Movie: Ned Kelly ( 2004 )
Though recognized for heroism as a lad, Ned Kelly can not escape the stigma of being the eldest of a brood sired by a known criminal. In days when an arrest equaled guilt and a conviction, his unfair imprisonment for horse thievery puts him steadfast, in the eyes of Victorian police, on the wrong side of things for life. With a sister unable to dissuade the unwanted advances of Constable Fitzpatrick, Ned, his brother Dan, and friends Joe Byrne and Steve Hart soon find themselves labeled "an outlaw gang" by the less-than-honorable constable. It's a designation they're apt to live up to after Ned's mother is unfairly arrested and sentenced to three years hard labor. In retaliation, the Kelly Gang strikes out against the oppressive Victorian government, with ultimately tragic results and passage into Australian folklore.
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Movie: Hidalgo ( 2004 )
In 1890, a down-and-out cowboy and his horse travel to Arabia to compete in a deadly cross desert horse race.
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Movie: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King ( 2003 )
Gandalf and Aragorn lead the World of Men against Sauron's army to draw his gaze from Frodo and Sam as they approach Mount Doom with the One Ring.
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TV Show: Tarzan ( 2003 )
A contemporary spin on an old story. Two decades after his parents died in the African jungle, leaving him to be raised by apes, Tarzan's billionaire uncle has him captured and brought back to New York City. Escaping captivity, he meets a police detective named Jane, who is already romantically involved with another man, leaving her to choose between civilization and humanity.
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Movie: Warrior Queen ( 2003 )
Boudica, the Warrior Queen on Britain, leads her tribe into rebellion against the Roman Empire and the mad Emperor of Rome Nero.
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Movie: Lapu-Lapu ( 2002 )
A semi-fictonal account about the life of Filipino hero Lapu-Lapu before, during, and after the fateful Battle of Mactan
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Movie: The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers ( 2002 )
While Frodo and Sam edge closer to Mordor with the help of the shifty Gollum, the divided fellowship makes a stand against Sauron's new ally, Saruman, and his hordes of Isengard.
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Movie: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets ( 2002 )
An ancient prophecy seems to be coming true when a mysterious presence begins stalking the corridors of a school of magic and leaving its victims paralyzed.
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Movie: Madame Satã ( 2002 )
A story inspired by the life of one of the most remarkable figures in Brazilian popular culture, João Francisco dos Santos (1900-1976). In turn, bandit, transvestite, street fighter, brothel cook, convict and father to seven adopted children, dos Santos--better known as Madame Satã--was also a notorious gay performer who pushed social boundaries in a volatile time. The story begins in 1932, in Rio de Janeiro's bohemian Lapa district, when João Francisco is about to achieve his dream: becoming a stage star. In the sordid yet lively world of Lapa--populated by pimps, prostitutes and other denizens of Rio's underworld--João battles the streets and presides over a surrogate family that includes the charming prostitute Laurita, and her baby daughter whom everyone dotes on; the flamboyant hustler Taboo; João's teenage lover, Renatinho; and Amador, the owner of the Blue Danube club which is their second home. It is at the Blue Danube that street tough João begins to sing, and the mythic drag artiste Madam Satã is born.
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Movie: 1809 Andreas Hofer - Die Freiheit des Adlers ( 2002 )
Based on historical events, this is the story of the Austrian folk hero Andreas Hofer. Hofer was an innkeeper in the Tyrol in Austria, who emerged as the leader of the populace in their effort to withstand the occupation of their land by Bavarian troops, which were bound in alliance to Napoleon of France. Initially mentored and supported by a man of the church, Hofer soon became the sole leader of the Austrian freedom fighters and a hero among the population. However, powerful people in his own country soon used him to further their own political interests. Hofer, whose fighting had been motivated by a desire for social justice, did not find any support from the Austrian rulers when Napoleon was set on revenge. In 1810, Hofer paid the ultimate price for his bravery and was executed.
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Movie: The Count of Monte Cristo ( 2002 )
A young man, falsely imprisoned by his jealous "friend", escapes and uses a hidden treasure to exact his revenge.
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Movie: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring ( 2001 )
An ancient Ring thought lost for centuries has been found, and through a strange twist of fate has been given to a small Hobbit named Frodo. When Gandalf discovers the Ring is in fact the One Ring of the Dark Lord Sauron, Frodo must make an epic quest to the Cracks of Doom in order to destroy it. However, he does not go alone. He is joined by Gandalf, Legolas the elf, Gimli the Dwarf, Aragorn, Boromir, and his three Hobbit friends Merry, Pippin, and Samwise. Through mountains, snow, darkness, forests, rivers and plains, facing evil and danger at every corner the Fellowship of the Ring must go. Their quest to destroy the One Ring is the only hope for the end of the Dark Lords reign.
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Movie: American Outlaws ( 2001 )
When a Midwest town learns that a corrupt railroad baron has captured the deeds to their homesteads without their knowledge, a group of young ranchers join forces to take back what is rightfully theirs. In the course of their vendetta, they will become the object of the biggest manhunt in the history of the Old West and, as their fame grows, so will the legend of their leader, a young outlaw by the name of Jesse James.
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Movie: The Mummy Returns ( 2001 )
The mummified body of Imhotep is shipped to a museum in London, where he once again wakes and begins his campaign of rage and terror.
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TV Show: Queen of Swords ( 2000 )
In 1817, a young Spanish aristocrat, Tessa Alvarado, returns to Spanish California after the death of her father and finds her home in ruins, her father's manservant reduced to stealing. The town where she was born is run by a militaristic governor who abuses his power, resulting in the miscarriage of justice and the poor living conditions of his subjects. Upset about the state of her birthplace and the murder of her father, Tessa's path is revealed to her in a mysterious dream where her father comes to her and talks of his murder, his hidden gold, and of his "Avenging Angel". She will take up arms to protect the people from the town's governor and to avenge her father's death. Tessa will do this in disguise behind a mask, becoming that "Avenging Angel", The Queen of Swords.As the Queen of Swords, Tessa becomes a vision of hope for the people who live in her long oppressed town.
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TV Show: Jason and the Argonauts ( 2000 )
Jason and the Argonauts is based on the classic myth of Jason and the Golden Fleece. At a young age, Jason witnesses the brutal deposement and murder of his father at the hands of his uncle Pelias. Twenty years later, Jason returns home to claim his rightful place as king, but Pelias orders him to be executed, and in order to save himself Jason is forced to go on a dangerous quest to find the legendary Golden Fleece. So Jason gathers a motley crew of men and sets sail on the Argos. This Hallmark Production was created as a two part mini-series event, starring Jason London as Jason and Jolene Blalock as Medea.
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Movie: Tarzan ( 1999 )
A man raised by gorillas must decide where he really belongs when he discovers he is a human.
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TV Show: Joan of Arc ( 1999 )
Joan of Arc is born in 1412 in the village of Domrémy in the war zone of Northern France. During her youth she often witnesses the horrors of war, but her spirit is kept high by the legend of the Maiden of Lorraine. This says that a young maiden one day will unite the divided country and lead the people to freedom.
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Movie: The Mummy ( 1999 )
At an archaeological dig in the ancient city of Hamunaptra, an American serving in the French Foreign Legion accidentally awakens a mummy who begins to wreck havoc as he searches for the reincarnation of his long-lost love.
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TV Show: The Legend of William Tell ( 1998 )
This series follows the legend of Wilhelm Gorkeit of Tellikon (William Tell), who, as the stories say, shot an apple off of his son's head and lead the rebellion to free Switzerland.
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Movie: The Mask of Zorro ( 1998 )
A young thief (Antonio Banderas), seeking revenge for the death of his brother, is trained by the once great, but aged Zorro (Sir Anthony Hopkins), who also pursues vengeance of his own.
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Movie: Mandela ( 1997 )
Follows Nelson Mandela, from his early protests against racial discrimination, to his election as South Africa's first Democratically elected leader.
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Movie: Mandela and de Klerk ( 1997 )
On June 12, 1964, Nelson Mandela, along with numerous political detainees, was sentenced to life imprisonment in what remains the most sensational treason trial in the history of South Africa. The incarceration of Mandela and other political prisoners on Robben Island would become a symbol of the struggle to end apartheid and win freedom for the black majority in South Africa. On February 2, 1990, President F.W. De Klerk stood before Parliament and announced the legalization of the African National Congress and a host of other banned political organizations. At the same time, he announced that Nelson Mandela, having served twenty-seven years in prison, would be released within seven days. Yet the world, and indeed most South Africans, knew little about how this momentous occasion came to pass. Until now. This movie was filmed in South Africa. Most of the locations are those where the actual events took place, and the dramatized sequences are augmented with newsreel footage to ensure the most accurate portrayal possible of recent historical events.
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Movie: The Pathfinder ( 1996 )
This adventure follows a mid-18th-century British scout through the wilderness on a mission to sneak into a French fortress.
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Movie: The Bruce ( 1996 )
In the early 14th century, Scottish warrior and Earl Robert the Bruce is crowned King of Scots, leading Scotland during the First War of Scottish Independence against England.
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TV Show: Xena: Warrior Princess ( 1995 )
"In a time of ancient gods, warlords, and kings, a land in turmoil cried out for a hero. She was Xena, a mighty princess, forged in the heat of battle. The power... the passion... the danger... Her courage will change the world".This spin-off from Hercules: The Legendary Journeys (1995), Xena is a feisty and fearless warrior princess who fights everything evil along with her sidekick Gabrielle in Xena: Warrior Princess.
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Movie: Dillinger and Capone ( 1995 )
Dillinger survived assassination and is living a quiet farm life with his family in 1940, but Al Capone, recently freed from prison, need his help for one last score.
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Movie: Pocahontas: The Legend ( 1995 )
Englishmen come to explore and settle the new world. There they find natives who are curious about their "firesticks" and strange customs. One Englishman, John Smith, is captured by the natives, and begins to learn their customs and beliefs. As Smith spends more time with them, specifically Pocahontas, he realizes that the white man may not be meant for the new world.
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Movie: Braveheart ( 1995 )
Scottish warrior William Wallace leads his countrymen in a rebellion to free his homeland from the tyranny of King Edward I of England.
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TV Show: Buffalo Girls ( 1995 )
A story of the fading Wild West is told from Calamity Jane's point of view, with overlaid narrative to her eldest daughter about Jane's adventures.
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Movie: Tall Tale ( 1995 )
A young boy draws on the inspiration of legendary western characters to find the strength to fight an evil land baron in the old west who wants to steal his family's farm and destroy their idyllic community. When Daniel Hackett sees his father Jonas gravely wounded by the villainous Stiles, his first urge is for his family to flee the danger, and give up their life on a farm which Daniel has come to despise anyway. Going alone to a lake to try to decide what to do, he falls asleep on a boat and wakes to find himself in the wild west, in the company of such "tall tale" legends as Pecos Bill, Paul Bunyan, John Henry, and Calamity Jane. Together, they battle the same villains Daniel is facing in his "real" world.
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TV Show: Hawkeye ( 1994 )
The further adventures based on characters created by James Fennimore Cooper. Hawkeye the woodsman meets a brave English woman trying to free her husband from the French. Set during the French and Indian War in the area of the Hudson Valley.
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TV Show: Hercules: The Legendary Journeys ( 1994 )
Long ago... In a time of myth and legend, when ancient gods plagued man with suffering - only one man dared to challenge their power. Hercules!Kevin Sorbo's fresh, hip and good-natured spin on the legendary hero carried this witty, adventure-filled action drama to high critical acclaim. Smartly combining ancient myth with contemporary sensibilities, the series became one of television's highest rated programs.
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Movie: Burning Paradise ( 1994 )
An exotic, legendary battle between the forces of good and evil comes to life as the celebrated disciples of the Shaolin Temple -- monks who practice a lethal and spiritual form of martial arts -- fight the evil followers of China's Manchu rulers.
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Movie: Schindler's List ( 1993 )
In German-occupied Poland during World War II, industrialist Oskar Schindler gradually becomes concerned for his Jewish workforce after witnessing their persecution by the Nazis.
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Movie: Geronimo: An American Legend ( 1993 )
The story of the Apache chief and his armed resistance to the U.S. Government's subjugation of his people.
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Movie: Geronimo ( 1993 )
This story of epic courage and grace is a remarkable window on Native American life and the early years of the last and most feared Apache War Chief.
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Movie: The Three Musketeers ( 1993 )
A 90s retelling of the classic story.
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Movie: Money for Nothing ( 1993 )
An unemployed man finds a money bag of $1.2 million after it dropped off an armored car.
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Movie: The Adventures of Huck Finn ( 1993 )
In Missouri, during the 1840s, young Huck Finn fearful of his drunkard father and yearning for adventure, leaves his foster family and joins with runaway slave Jim in a voyage down the Mississippi River toward slavery free states.
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Movie: The Last of the Mohicans ( 1992 )
Three trappers protect the daughters of a British Colonel in the midst of the French and Indian War.
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Movie: Young Guns II ( 1990 )
In 1881, cattle baron John Chisum pays a bounty to Patrick Floyd Garrett to kill outlaw Billy the Kid.
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Movie: María Cano ( 1990 )
Colombia 1920's. The country receives compensation for the separation of Panama and is open to foreign credit to undertake major development works. Growing mass of workers but not improve their conditions as still subject to the place since colonial times. The climate is more conducive to that industrial strife and the emergence of leaders who are: Maria Cano was one of the Highlights. His work on behalf of the workers were also given for the woman confronted the powerful toured the country and raided the literature. She and her colleagues do this story.
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Movie: Miles from Home ( 1988 )
Two brothers who are forced off their farm in the debt stricken mid-west become folk heroes when they begin robbing the banks that have been foreclosing on farmers.
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Movie: Young Guns ( 1988 )
A group of young gunmen, led by Billy the Kid, become deputies to avenge the murder of the rancher who became their benefactor. But when Billy takes their authority too far, they become the hunted.
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TV Show: Tall Tales and Legends ( 1985 )
An anthology series that showcases various mythical characters and incidents throughout history.
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Movie: The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez ( 1983 )
After he is accused of murdering a lawman in 1901 Texas, a Mexican-American farmer flees and manages to elude a large posse for two weeks before he is finally captured.
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Movie: The Adventurer ( 1983 )
The story is about an Estonian Don Juan, who actually is a writer, who leaves home in spring and is brought home again in autumn, by his wife.
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TV Show: Dick Turpin ( 1979 )
Dick Turpin is a British television drama series starring Richard O'Sullivan and Michael Deeks. It was created by Richard Carpenter, Paul Knight and Sydney Cole and written by Richard Carpenter, John Kane, Charles Crichton and Paul Wheeler, it was made by Gatetarn, Seacastle productions in-association with London Weekend Television between 1979 and 1982. 26 half hour episodes and one feature-length episode were filmed on location at Maidenhead in Berkshire, England.The series is loosely based on the adventures of the real 18th century highwayman Dick Turpin.
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TV Show: A Woman Called Moses ( 1978 )
A Woman Called Moses is a 1978 American television miniseries based on the life of Harriet Tubman, the escaped African American slave who helped to organize the Underground Railroad, and who led dozens of African Americans from enslavement in the Southern United States to freedom in the Northern states and Canada.
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Movie: Janosik ( 1974 )
Polish version of the legendary highwayman and folk hero, Juraj Janosik.
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TV Show: Floris ( 1969 )
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Movie: Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid ( 1969 )
Wyoming, early 1900s. Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid are the leaders of a band of outlaws. After a train robbery goes wrong they find themselves on the run with a posse hard on their heels. Their solution - escape to Bolivia.
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Movie: Simón Bolívar ( 1969 )
During 1817-1823 the people of Venezuela fought for independence against the Spanish colonial army. General Boliviar tries to unify the rebel parties, but it's hard since they differ in ...
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Movie: Where's Jack? ( 1969 )
Based on the adventures of Jack Sheppard, the thief and jail-breaker who became a folk hero in 1720s London. Jack is working as an apprentice to a locksmith when his brother Tom is sentenced to be hanged for theft. To save Tom (who has a wife and children) he goes for help to the brutal 'Thief-taker General' Jonathan Wild. Wild mediates between the government and the criminal underworld, fencing stolen goods and delivering thieves who don't pay him tribute over to the authorities. He assigns Jack a robbery in return for saving Tom from the gallows, but when Jack learns that Tom is instead to be 'transported' to the colonies for a life of hard labour he refuses to cut Wild in on the proceeds. An angry Wild has Jack thrown in Newgate prison, from which he escapes, forming his own criminal outfit with another of Wild's disgruntled associates, Joseph 'Blueskin' Blake. Determined to crush this affront to his authority, Wild uses Jack's mistress Bess to trap him and has him jailed again. By this time Jack's exploits have made him the talk of London, and one of his old victims, Lady Darlington, sends him an invitation in Newgate to attend one of her balls. A second jailbreak gains Jack legendary status, and he and Bess escape Wild's clutches by fleeing to the countryside. Bess wants them to leave for America and a new life, but when Jack hears that King George has bet the Lord Chancellor that Jack could steal the chain of office from his neck, he is tempted back to London for one last spectacular robbery.
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Movie: Mandrin ( 1962 )
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Movie: Lawrence of Arabia ( 1962 )
The story of T.E. Lawrence, the English officer who successfully united and led the diverse, often warring, Arab tribes during World War I in order to fight the Turks.
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Movie: Garibaldi ( 1961 )
How Italy's historic national hero Giuseppe Garibaldi led a military campaign known as Expedition of the Thousand in 1860 and conquered Sicily and Naples.
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Movie: The Alamo ( 1960 )
In 1836, a small band of soldiers sacrifice their lives in hopeless combat against a massive army in order to prevent a tyrant from smashing the new Republic of Texas.
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Movie: Annie Get Your Gun ( 1957 )
Irving Berlin's stage musical about Annie Oakley and Frank Butler.
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Movie: The Captain from Köpenick ( 1956 )
A young shoemaker is arrested for stealing a small amount of money, and is released after being jailed for 15 years. He wants to have a pass to get a job and start anew, but without a job he doesn't get a pass; and without a pass, he doesn't get a job. He gets into the net of Prussian bureaucracy, and can't see a solution. Until he enters a small Second-Hand Shop, and sees a Prussian Uniform that fits him like a second skin...
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Movie: Davy Crockett and the River Pirates ( 1956 )
Davy Crockett and his sidekick Georgie compete against boastful Mike Fink ("King of the River") in a boat race to New Orleans. Later, Davy and Georgie, allied with Fink, battle a group of river pirates trying to pass themselves off as Native Americans.
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Movie: The Last Command ( 1955 )
Moderate Jim Bowie leads rebellious Texicans--and Davy Crockett--in a last-ditch stand against his old friend, Santa Anna.
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Movie: Davy Crockett: King of the Wild Frontier ( 1955 )
American frontiersman Davy Crockett fights in the Creek Indian War, is elected to the U.S. Congress and fights for Texas at the Alamo.
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TV Show: Annie Oakley ( 1954 )
Annie Oakley is an American Western television series that fictionalized the life of famous sharpshooter Annie Oakley. It ran from January 9th 1954 to 24th February 1957 in syndication, for a total of 81 black and white episodes, each 25 minutes long.
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Movie: Calamity Jane ( 1953 )
The story of Calamity Jane, her saloon, and her romance with Wild Bill Hickok.
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Movie: The Iron Mistress ( 1953 )
The life of nineteenth-century pioneer Jim Bowie is portrayed.
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TV Show: The Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok ( 1951 )
The Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok starred Guy Madison as the legendary Old West lawman (in real life, also a gunfighter) United States Marshal James Butler "Wild Bill" Hickok, and Andy Devine as his comedy sidekick, Jingles P. Jones.
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Movie: Annie Get Your Gun ( 1950 )
A story very loosely based on the love story of Annie Oakley and Frank Butler who meet at a shooting match. Fabulous music although the lead characters have virtually nothing to do with the actual historical figures. Annie joins Frank Butler in Col. Cody's Wild West Show. They tour the world performing before Royalty as well as the public at large.
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Movie: Davy Crockett, Indian Scout ( 1950 )
Davy Crockett (not the famous Alamo hero, but his nephew) guides a wagon train through hostile territory and rescues the cavalry from ambushing Indians.
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Movie: Young Bill Hickok ( 1940 )
Bill Hickok in his early pre-gunslinger years as a freight-line agent protecting a gold shipment from villains out to steal gold and land out west while America is diverted by the Civil War back east. With the help of Calamity Jane and her horse-trader uncle, Hickok battles the bad guys while trying to win the love of his life, Louise, in a formulaic B western adventure with songs.
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Movie: Jánosik ( 1936 )
The story of the Slovak highwayman and folk hero Juraj Janosik.
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Movie: The Plainsman ( 1936 )
Wild Bill Hickok attempts to stop an Indian uprising that was started by white gun-runners.
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Movie: Daniel Boone ( 1936 )
In 1775, Daniel Boone leads thirty settler families to Kentucky where they face two threats: Indian raiders led by renegade white Simon Girty, who opposes settlement; and the schemes of effete Stephen Marlowe to seize title to the new lands. Perils, battles, escapes, and a love interest round out the story.
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Movie: Annie Oakley ( 1935 )
A romanticized biography of the famous sharpshooter.