The addition of a real-life historical figure can elevate a fictional narrative, whatever the genre. So, here, we take a look at five films in which a familiar face from the era makes an appearance (script sources where available).

The Prestige (2006) – Nikola Tesla

Christopher Nolan’s acclaimed fictional historical drama about rival 19th-century magicians battling over the trade secrets behind each other’s magic tricks includes an appearance by real-life electrical engineering pioneer Nikola Tesla. Portrayed by the late David Bowie, Tesla is reimagined here as a mysterious inventor who has created a cloning machine. Script source: The Daily Script

The Bleeder (aka Chuck) (2016) – Sylvester Stallone

This biopic of self-destructive fighter Chuck Wapner (“The Bayonne Bleeder”) may be based on fact. However, what’s fiction (at least, according to some of the people involved) is that Wapner’s life – notably his David & Goliath fight with Muhammad Ali – inspired Rocky (1976). While the real Stallone denied any such link, here we have a fictional Sly (Morgan Spector) courting The Bleeder to star in Rocky II (1979).

Me and Orson Welles (2008) – Orson Welles

With Welles’ name in the title, he’d be expected to make an appearance in this fictional tale set in 1937 of an ambitious young actor who scores a role in the director’s stage production of Julius Caesar. The film captures Welles (Christian McKay) at the start of his journey to greatness, with his landmark film Citizen Kane (1941) only a few years away.

Gangs of New York (2002) – William “Boss” Tweed

Martin Scorsese’s 19th century drama sets an original story against the backdrop of Lower Manhattan’s lawless Five Points. Based on Herbert Asbury’s 1927 non-fiction book of the same name, the film authentically depicts the era, down to an appearance by one of its most notable (and notorious) political figures, the popular and wholly corrupt Boss Tweed (Jim Broadbent). Script source: Internet Movie Script Database

Shakespeare in Love (1998) – Queen Elizabeth I

While William Shakespeare (Joseph Fiennes) is the focus of this fictionalized romantic comedy, it was the relatively brief appearance of Queen Elizabeth I (Dame Judi Dench) which caught the attention of the Academy Awards voters. Portrayed as formidable and sharp-witted, the film also reflects the monarch’s reputation as a patron of the arts. Script source: Script Slug

Bonus:

We couldn’t end the list without a mention of fantasy-horror Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter (2012), in which the esteemed president strides out to fight… well, the title kind of gives it away. Taking in Lincoln’s presidency and the Civil War, the film (which was produced by Tim Burton) puts a clever supernatural twist on historical events, highlighting just what’s possible when it comes to blending fact and fiction. Script source: Script Slug