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History in Movies Quizzes, Trivia and Puzzles
History in Movies Quizzes, Trivia

History in Movies Trivia

History in Movies Trivia Quizzes

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Fun Trivia
17 quizzes and 180 trivia questions.
1.
Based on a True Story
  Based on a True Story    
Photo Quiz
 10 Qns
Being the assistant of a famous movie critic has its perks. Pop up some popcorn and join Monsieur Antoine and I as we dabble with true history in film.
Average, 10 Qns, TemptressToo, Jan 03 23
Average
TemptressToo
Jan 03 23
553 plays
2.
  Liberty Leading the People on the Big Screen editor best quiz   best quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
The "big screen" is the movie screen. Delacroix' painting has not yet given its title to a movie at the moment of the inception of this quiz, but many movies deal with the struggle for liberty. What do you know about these movies?
Easier, 10 Qns, JanIQ, Sep 06 14
Easier
JanIQ gold member
1959 plays
3.
Find the Fact
  Find the Fact    
Photo Quiz
 10 Qns
Even some of the best historical dramas can make mistakes. Can you figure out what the filmmakers got right?
Tough, 10 Qns, parrotman2006, Feb 08 19
Tough
parrotman2006 gold member
Feb 08 19
374 plays
4.
  True Crime Movie Time   best quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Each question will give you two dates: the first is a significant date in true crime history, the second is the year in which a notable American film chronicling that history was released. Identify the film. Enjoy.
Average, 10 Qns, matriplex, Feb 15 17
Average
matriplex
632 plays
5.
  Elizabeth I   popular trivia quiz  
Match Quiz
 10 Qns
Elizabeth I, one of England's most powerful rulers, has been depicted by many strong actresses, sometimes twice. Match the thespian who played the Virgin Queen to the proper movie. There are no clues; to have seen the films is a must!
Easier, 10 Qns, gracious1, Jun 03 19
Easier
gracious1 gold member
Jun 03 19
431 plays
6.
  Hollywood vs History 1   top quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
All these movies are based on historical facts. However, in each case what you see on screen is not how it actually happened.  For each question choose the way things actually happened.
Average, 10 Qns, root17, Aug 29 10
Average
root17 gold member
2749 plays
7.
  Hollywood vs History 2   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
All these movies are based on historical facts. However, in each case what you see on screen is not how it actually happened. For each question choose the way things actually happened.
Average, 10 Qns, root17, Feb 21 14
Average
root17 gold member
1276 plays
8.
  Characters from Historical Movies 2    
Match Quiz
 10 Qns
Match the character with the actor/actress who portrayed them.
Average, 10 Qns, bwfc10, Sep 14 19
Average
bwfc10
Sep 14 19
350 plays
9.
  Movies: Historical Events and Real People    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Many movies are made that also depict an historical event or an actual person. Identify the movie from the historical event or person that appears within the movie.
Average, 10 Qns, zambesi, Jul 26 18
Average
zambesi
Jul 26 18
657 plays
10.
  Characters from Historical Movies    
Match Quiz
 10 Qns
Match the characters with the actor/actress who played them.
Average, 10 Qns, bwfc10, Sep 09 19
Average
bwfc10
Sep 09 19
412 plays
11.
  Historical Characters In Films    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Choose the correct actors in the historical movies listed.
Tough, 10 Qns, wallace702, Jan 18 04
Tough
wallace702
4558 plays
12.
  History at the Movies    
Multiple Choice
 20 Qns
All the questions have to do with historical movies. Some are very easy and some are a little more difficult but all of these movies worth seeing. So good luck and have fun!
Difficult, 20 Qns, gywalgi, Dec 27 17
Difficult
gywalgi
3068 plays
13.
  British Empire At The Movies    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This quiz deals exclusively with people and events closely related to the British Empire. Have fun.
Difficult, 10 Qns, gywalgi, Aug 28 03
Difficult
gywalgi
1280 plays
14.
  Russian History At The Movies    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
My God! I'd never thought there were so many movies about Russia. I tried to avoid obscure films and concentrate on more widely distributed ones. Have fun.
Difficult, 10 Qns, gywalgi, Sep 30 05
Difficult
gywalgi
761 plays
15.
  French History At The Movies    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Browsing through French history as seen by movie directors and screen writers.
Difficult, 10 Qns, gywalgi, May 16 04
Difficult
gywalgi
619 plays
16.
  Black History At The Movies    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
There are not that many movies about Black History, but I found some that I really liked and I would like to share them with you. I used the term 'Black' instead of 'African American' because I won't cover just America. I hope it will offend no one.
Difficult, 10 Qns, gywalgi, Jan 24 03
Difficult
gywalgi
951 plays
17.
  German History At The Movies    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
There is much more than two wars in German history. I invite you to meet fascinating people or learn about events who still lay in our memories.
Difficult, 10 Qns, gywalgi, Jun 11 23
Difficult
gywalgi
Jun 11 23
544 plays
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History in Movies Trivia Questions

1. 1934: An ambush in Louisiana takes the lives of two of America's most wanted outlaws. 1967: Director Arthur Penn breathes vivid new life into the romantic and violent adventures of a pair of young lovers on the run. Name the film.

From Quiz
True Crime Movie Time

Answer: Bonnie and Clyde

The real Bonnie and Clyde captured the imagination of many Americans in the 1930s; the 1967 film secured their legacy. It chronicles the criminal adventures of Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow - glamorously portrayed by Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway - from the day they meet until the day they die together, ambushed on a roadside in Louisiana by a Texas ranger and his posse of lawmen. Nominated for 10 Oscars (it won two), "Bonnie and Clyde" is a genuine milestone in the history of the American cinema. Its bold and vivid depiction of violence revolutionized moviemaking. Its complex and multilayered exploration of character remains scintillating 50 years after the film's release. The real Bonnie and Clyde were, let's face it, a couple of punks. The movie elevated them to the level of true folk heroes. Thus is the power of the cinema.

2. "Let my people go" is a recurring phrase in Cecil B. DeMille's epic movie "The Ten Commandments". Charlton Heston stars as Moses, but who plays the Egyptian Pharaoh Rameses II?

From Quiz Liberty Leading the People on the Big Screen

Answer: Yul Brynner

Yul Brynner was born in Vladivostok (Russia, then the Soviet Union) in 1920. He moved to the USA in 1940, after having spent some time in China and in Paris, France. Yul Brynner started his acting career in 1944 in the TV mini-series "Mr. Jones and His Neighbours". The first movie he acted in was "Port of New York" in 1949. The great breakthrough for Yul Brynner was "The King and I", both in the theatre version from 1951 (for which he won a Tony Award) and in the movie version from 1956 (earning him an Oscar). For this specific role, Yul Brynner decided to shave his head. As the role of King Mongkut was a formidable success, Yul continued to shave his head for each and every next role. In the same year, 1956, Yul Brynner also starred in "The Ten Commandments" as Rameses, the Egyptian Pharaoh who keeps denying freedom to the Jew slaves in the region of Goshen. Moses (role by Charlton Heston) keeps demanding the Pharaoh to "Let my people go", but to no avail, until the tenth and last plague: the death of each firstborn child of every family. The further career of Yul Brynner seems concentrated on movies. Some of the more famous titles are "The Magnificent Seven" (1960), "Taras Bulba" (1962) and "Westworld" (1973). He died in New York in 1985. The other choices are also famous bald actors. Telly Savalas (1922-1994) is best known for his title role in the detective series "Kojak". Patrick Stewart (born 1940) starred as Captain Picard in "Star Trek: the Next Generation" and as Charles Xavier in the "X-Men" franchise. Bruce Willis (born 1955) became world famous with the "Die Hard" movies.

3. In 'Shadow Of A Vampire', John Malkovich plays the great director F.W. Murnau while Willem Dafoe plays the actor who immortalized Nosferatu. Who was this actor?

From Quiz German History At The Movies

Answer: Max Schreck & Schreck

Born in Berlin in 1879, Schreck died in 1935. Nosferatu was his first important role.

4. In 'Mountains Of The Moon', Captain Richard Burton and Lt. John Speke lead an expedition to find the source of the Nile River for the glory of Queen Victoria and the British Empire. Who are the actors who played Burton and Speke?

From Quiz British Empire At The Movies

Answer: Patrick Bergin and Iain Glen

Fulford and Grant also played in this movie directed by Bob Rafaelson in 1990. The director of photography Roger Deakins made wonders in this film. Deakins replaced Barry Sonnefeld as the Coen brothers' cinematographer.

5. In Sergei Bondarchuck's 'Waterloo', Rod Steiger played Napoleon Bonaparte. Who played Marshal Michel Ney executed by Louis XVIII soon after the battle?

From Quiz French History At The Movies

Answer: Dan O'Herlihy

Christopher Plummer was the Duke of Wellington, Jack Hawkins was the General Thomas Picton and Michael Wilding was William Ponsoby in the same movie.

6. Who was the first actor to play Henry VIII in a movie?

From Quiz History at the Movies

Answer: Arthur Bourchier

The South African Bourcier played Henry in a 1911 adaptation of the Shakespeare play. Camp was Henry in 'Hampton Court Palace' in 1926, Jennings played the role in 'Anna Boleyn' in 1920 and Laughton was the great king in 'The Private Life Of Henry VIII' in 1933.

7. This movie was based on the autobiography of a World Middleweight Champion (Rocky Graziano) who had previously gone AWOL from the US Army and spent one year in jail. Name the movie.

From Quiz Movies: Historical Events and Real People

Answer: Somebody Up There Likes Me

Paul Newman plays the role of Rocky Graziano in this 1956 movie which is based on his autobiography of the same name. Rocky Graziano (1919-1990) was born Thomas Rocco Barbella and was the world champion in 1947-48. "Cinderella Man" (2005) was the story of boxer James Braddock (1905-1974) the World Heavyweight Champion in 1935-37 starring Russell Crowe. "Raging Bull" (1980) stars Robert De Niro as the former World Middleweight Champion, Jake LaMotta (1922-2017). De Niro won the Academy Award for Best Actor for this role. "The Great White Hope" (1970) stars James Earl Jones as the boxer Jack Jefferson but based of the true story of Jack Johnson who became the first African-American World Heavyweight Champion from 1908-1915.

8. Lors Irwin succeeded to Lord Reading as Viceroy of India on 1 April 1926. Later, he was to serve as British ambassador in Washington. Who played Lord Irwin in 'Gandhi' (1982)?

From Quiz British Empire At The Movies

Answer: John Gielgud

The movie won 8 Oscars out of 11 nominations. Sir John passed away on 22 May 2000, he was 96 years old.

9. What was the name of the slave who led the revolt in 'Amistad'?

From Quiz Black History At The Movies

Answer: Cinque

Cinque was played by Djimon Hounsou, Yamba by Razaaq Adoti, Fala by Abu Bakaar Fafanah and Buakei by Derrick N. Ashong.

10. Name the biblical movie that had Max von Sydow heading a cast that included John Wayne, Dorothy McGuire, Charlton Heston, Claude Rains, Pat Boone, Telly Savalas, Van Heflin and many more.

From Quiz Movies: Historical Events and Real People

Answer: The Greatest Story Ever Told

"The Greatest Story Ever Told" (1965) depicts the life of Jesus of Nazareth (Max von Sydow). This was the first English language film that the Swedish actor Max von Sydow had ever appeared in. Many of the all star cast made brief cameo appearances in the movie. "The Ten Commandments" (1956) depicts Moses (Charlton Heston) as he leads his Jewish people out of captivity in Egypt across the Red Sea. "The Robe" (1953) is a biblical epic with Richard Burton as a disillusioned Marcellus Gallio who wins Jesus' robe in a dice game after Jesus was crucified. "The Prince of Egypt" (1998) is an animated film adaption of Moses leading his people out of Egypt across the Red Sea. The voices of the animated characters included Val Kilmer, Sandra Bullock, Ralph Fiennes, Michelle Pfieffer, Steve Martin, Patrick Stewart and Helen Mirren.

11. "Ben Hur" (1959) is the name of a Jewish prince accused of a murder attempt on the Roman governor. When Ben Hur is a slave on a war galley, he saves the life of the Roman general Quintus Arrius. Who plays the role of Judah Ben Hur?

From Quiz Liberty Leading the People on the Big Screen

Answer: Charlton Heston

Charlton Heston (1923-2008, born John Charles Carter) started his career with the title role in "Peer Gynt" (1941). He rose to success with the Cecil B. DeMille productions "The Greatest Show on Earth" (1952) and "The Ten Commandments" (1956). "Ben Hur" gained him his only Oscar. Heston would also star in "El Cid" (1961), "55 Days at Peking" (1963) and "Planet of the Apes" (1968). Those of you who wonder why "Ben Hur" is used in this "liberty movies" quiz, I'll give a longer text quote. "In the Year of our Lord, Judea - for nearly a century - had lain under the mastery of Rome. In the seventh year of the reign of Augustus Caesar, an imperial decree ordered every Judean each to return to his place of birth to be counted and taxed. The converging ways of many of them led to the gates of their capital city, Jerusalem, the troubled heart of their land. The old city was dominated by the fortress of Antonia, the seat of Roman power, and by the great golden temple, the outward sign of an inward and imperishable faith. Even while they obeyed the will of Caesar, the people clung proudly to their ancient heritage, always remembering the promise of their prophets that one day there would be born among them a redeemer to bring them salvation and perfect freedom. " These opening lines refer to the presence of the adult Christ (an uncredited role by Claude Heater) and the ideas Ben Hur embraces only at the end of the movie. The false options all played in "Ben Hur". Jack Hawkins (1910-1973) played Quintus Arrius. Stephen Boyd (1931-1977) played the role of Messala. And Finlay Currie (1878-1968) was the narrator, and played also as the old wise man Balthasar.

12. Based on the true story of Russian serial killer Andrei Chikatilo, 'Citizen X' with Stephen Rea, Donald Sutherland and Jeffrey de Munn is one of the best movie ever made about this type of criminals. Who wrote the book who inspired the movie?

From Quiz Russian History At The Movies

Answer: Robert Cullen & Cullen

The book is titled: 'Citizen X: Killer Department'. Chikatilo murdered over 50 children and teenagers between 1978 and 1990 before he was arrested, thank to Viktor Burakov's tenacity. He was executed soon after his trial.

13. Marcel Petiot is another well known French serial killer. During WW2, he promised rich Jews to pass them in Spain, but instead he killed them and stole their belongings. In the 1990 movie 'Docteur Petiot', who portrayed this spooky character?

From Quiz French History At The Movies

Answer: Michel Serrault

Petiot was captured in May 1944 and confessed to killing 63 persons, he alleged they were all Nazi collaborators. He was charged with murdering 27. Found guilty, he was guillotined on 26 May 1946.

14. James Earl Jones, the Man with the Golden Voice, played he leader of the Black community in this John Sayles's movie (1987) about labor troubles in the heart of West Virginia in the 1920s. What was the title of this extraordinary movie?

From Quiz Black History At The Movies

Answer: Matewan

One of Sayles's best.

15. This beautiful and very talented british actress played many tragic characters such as Anne Boleyn, Isadora Duncan, Mary Stuart and Lady Alice More. Who is she?

From Quiz History at the Movies

Answer: Vanessa Redgrave

Vanessa Redgrave was Anne Boleyn in 'A Man For All Seasons' in 1966, in the 1988 version, she played Alice More (Charlton Heston was Thomas More). Wendy Hiller was Alice More in the 1966 film. Genevieve Bujold played Anne Boleyn opposite Richard Burton in 'Anne Of The Thousand Days'.

16. There have been numerous films about the disaster of the RMS Titanic. Can you name the film that starred Dorothy Gibson, who was an actual survivor of the disaster?

From Quiz Movies: Historical Events and Real People

Answer: Saved From The Titanic

"Saved From The Titanic" (1912) was a film that was co-written and starred the silent film actress Dorothy Gibson (1889-1946). The film was made shortly after the tragedy and Gibson was a survivor of the disaster. Sadly, the film was destroyed in a studio fire. "The Unsinkable Molly Brown"(1964) was a musical starring Debbie Reynolds as Margaret Brown who was an actual survivor from the Titanic. "A Night to Remember" (1958) was a British film starring Kenneth More and Honor Blackman and depicted the last night on the RMS Titanic. There have been a number of films titled "Titanic" being in 1943, 1953 and 1997, the latter winning 11 Academy Awards.

17. What was the name of the German Major portrayed by Ed Harris in 'Enemy At The Gates'?

From Quiz Russian History At The Movies

Answer: Konig

Nieder, Van Husen and Freyer were all actors in the movie.

18. He played Corporal Thomas Searles in 'Glory' (1989), which was his first major role. He also portrayed the actor in Spike Lee's 'Get on the Bus', about the journey of a group of men going to the 'Million Man March' in 1995. Who is he?

From Quiz Black History At The Movies

Answer: Andre Braugher

Braugher also was the angel Cassiel in 'City of Angels'. He is better known for his role of Franck Pembleton in the TV series 'Homicide, Life on the Streets'.

19. This movie about the French scientist Louis Pasteur won 3 Oscars in 1937. Who played the title character?

From Quiz History at the Movies

Answer: Paul Muni

Muni won the best actor award with this role.

20. Can you name the movie starring Kevin Costner and Bruce Greenwood that centred around the Cuban missile crisis of 1962?

From Quiz Movies: Historical Events and Real People

Answer: Thirteen Days

"Thirteen Days" (2000) involved the thirteen days from October 16-28,1962 in the stand-off between the USA and the USSR. Greenwood portrayed President Kennedy and Costner was his special assistant Kenneth O'Donnell. "JFK" (1991) was a drama centred around the investigation into the assassination of President John F. Kennedy with Kevin Costner as the New Orleans district attorney, Jim Garrison. "LBJ" (2016) starred Woody Harrelson as Lyndon Johnson from being a Senator to eventually becoming the President of the United States of America. "Jackie"(2016) has Natalie Portman portraying Jackie Kennedy during the months after the assassination of her husband.

21. This great 20th century ballerina is played by Galina Belyayeva in a 1983 Emil Loteanu movie. Who is she?

From Quiz Russian History At The Movies

Answer: Anna Pavlova & Pavlova

Born in 1881, Anna Pavlova was very young when she saw a ballet for the first time, it was 'The Sleeping Beauty', she decided that one day, she will be the adorable Princess Aurora. She died of pleuresy in 1931, her last words were: 'Get my swam costume ready'.

22. Ken Russell's 'The Devils' tells the story of Father Urbain Grandier, a priest falsely accused of sorcery and burnt to the stake in Loudun in 1634. Who played the role?

From Quiz French History At The Movies

Answer: Oliver Reed

Beware, this movie is not for everybody, worth seeing though.

23. She portrayed Sally Hemings, president Jefferson's mistress in 'Jefferson in Paris' (1995). Who is she?

From Quiz Black History At The Movies

Answer: Thandie Newton

Born in Zambia, Thandie Newton lived in England most of her life. This brilliant actress also holds a degree in anthropology from Cambridge University.

24. This movie was an historical drama inspired by a slave rebellion and the events of the Third Servile War (73-71 BCE). Name the movie.

From Quiz Movies: Historical Events and Real People

Answer: Spartacus

"Spartacus" (1960) starred Kirk Douglas, Laurence Olivier, Jean Simmons, Tony Curtis, Peter Ustinov and Charles Laughton. It was an epic drama of Spartacus (Douglas) freeing himself from slavery and becoming a gladiator. "Gladiator" (2000) starred Russell Crowe as Maximus who is reduced to slavery but rises through the ranks as a gladiator to avenge the deaths of his family. The period of the movie is during the Roman Empire of the late second century. "El Cid" (1961) is an historical drama about the Spanish knight El Cid who tries to unify Spain to rid them of the Moorish invaders. The period is around the 11th century. Charlton Heston starred as El Cid and Sophia Loren as Jimsena his wife. "The Fall of the Roman Empire" (1964) is based on a period before the actual fall of the empire but deals with the corruption that eventually brought about its downfall. The movie starred Sophia Loren, Stephen Boyd, Alec Guinness and James Mason.

25. In this 1988 Istvan Szabo movie, Klaus Maria Brandauer plays a man who, after being shot in the head, develops powers of clairvoyance which brings to him the attention of the Nazis. Which movie am I talking about?

From Quiz German History At The Movies

Answer: Hanussen

Born in 1889, Herman Steinschneider, who changed his name for Jan Erik Hanussen, was murdered in 1933. He was a clairvoyant who predicted the rise and fall of Hitler. It is said that Goering ordered the execution.

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Last Updated Nov 30 2024 5:46 AM
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