What’s a biopic? A “bio-pic” is a biographical picture (drama on film). We at iBiographies.com use the term in its broadest sense; it is essentially a historical drama with special emphasis on real people or events. Here, we’ve categorized nine types of biopics, starting with the most relevant or important type in declining order of relevance. (Please note that the categories and terms we use in this article are mostly our own and do not necessarily reflect conventional interpretations.)
One must always keep in mind that a biopic is really a work of fiction and poetic license is always taken. This is not necessarily a bad thing. Real life is often messy and full of loose ends, where figures enter and leave history without explanation or warning. Real life is also amoral, where heroes sometimes suffer and perceived villains often prosper and triumph, never having to suffer physically or even psychologically. The dramatic biopic, as with all other forms of fiction, must have closure and a moral. Here, biopics will often glorify and demonize historical figures to create friction between the forces of right and wrong; and closure is often created when the hero triumphs over his enemies or circumstances, at least symbolically or psychologically. One good example is the story of Sir William Wallace in Braveheart (1995). The hero is executed by being drawn and quartered – a fact. But he still gets the last laugh after the evil king of England (Edward I) learns at his deathbed that his son’s child and future heir to the throne is really a bastard sired by Wallace. There are no historical bases for this, but poetic justice is what gives our dramas meaning and purpose – a departure from the often random and senseless realities of life. This in turn gives meaning and purpose to our lives, at least for a few hours as we sit in the theaters.
1) Life Story Biopic (True Biopic). Here, iBiographies.com takes the view that a biopic is by definition educational as well as entertaining. What draws us to the biopic is our curiosity. We want to know something about certain historical figures or events and we hope biopics will provide us some answers. Beside the documentary, the Life Story Biopic gives us the most comprehensive and detailed picture about the historical figures we’re interested in on film. It deals not only with the career and relevant actions of the historical figure that made him/her famous, but also with the early experiences and family structure that formed the hero’s character. Life Story Biopics are rare. One example is Frida (2002), which chronicles the life of painter Frida Kahlo from her youth to her death. More importantly, it focuses on an early accident, which perhaps was the source of her genius. Another example is The Last Emperor of 1987. This biopic is about the story of Emperor Puyi of China, covering every stage of his life, from childhood to old age. This breadth of insight is required to explore the temperament and motivations of an egocentric monarch (having lived in the bizarre time capsule which was the Forbidden City) who ultimately commits treason against his own country. Perhaps only a Life Story Biopic of a relevant historical figure such as Emperor Puyi can mirror the long, complex, and turbulent history of modern China itself.
2) Career/Event Biopic. This type of the genre is the most common. The focus here is on specific events surrounding certain historical figures and/or their own actions (through their jobs, causes, or situations) that give them fame or notoriety. (One must note that not all Career/Event Biopics are about famous people.) Often, viewers are only curious about this narrow aspect of a historical figure’s life. One example of a Career Biopic is Hoffa of 1992, which covers his early career in the Teamsters and every major event since then, leading up to his death (while trying to re-capture the Teamster leadership). However, some biopics may focus only on one short event taken from the historical figure’s prolific career. For example, 1997’s Rough Riders only explores Theodore Roosevelt’s adventures in the Spanish-American War. Another example is Frost/Nixon of 2002. It focuses only on the weeks leading up to and shortly after the famous interview between David Frost and Richard Nixon. Sometimes, viewers are not familiar with the historical figures involved, but are very aware of particular events in history. iBiographies.com takes the view that to qualify as an Career/Event Biopic (as oppose to Fact-Based Fiction or the Semi-Biopic, mentioned later), the main characters of the film must be based on real living people. Sometimes their stories are not well known, but they often reflect relevant social issues or important historical changes. One example of an Event Biopic is World Trade Center, released in 2006, chronicling the events of 9/11. The movie does not focus on famous people like Mayor Rudy Giuliani, but rather on the heroic actions of an ordinary policeman in John McLoughlin (portrayed by Nicolas Cage).
3) Generational Biopic. Biopics covering many historical figures over long time spans are usually done through the TV miniseries. Here, the focus is not on specific persons or events, but on particular historical eras or ways-of-life of certain cultures and peoples. The ABC miniseries Roots (parts one and two released between 1977 and 1979), cover the descendants of an African slave, Kunta Kinte, from 1750 to the 1960’s. Here, centuries of American history are seen through the eyes of a unique people who has endured slavery, racism, and unbearable hardship. Another great Generational Biopic miniseries is the BBC’s I, Claudius of 1976. It covers the reigns of the Roman Emperors Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, and Claudius. Here, emphasis is placed not only on the historical details surrounding the privileged characters involved, but the viewer is also presented with a meticulously crafted tapestry of the day-to-day life of ordinary Romans during the Julio-Claudian dynasty. A wonderful series.
4) Semi-Biopic (Semi-Biographical Film). Although the names of the characters in the film are fictitious, the main characters are in fact based on real historical figures. And the events portrayed in the movie mirror events in real life. Some reasons for this may be due to legal/libel or trademark issues. This style also allows greater latitude in proposing not only possible, but probable, conjectural theories about historical figures and events that lack any verifiable evidence. We at iBiographies.com consider some Semi-Biographical films as credible educational and historical works of art. In addition, sometimes a just or happy ending would violate historical veracity and thus draw criticism and skepticism without the crutch that is the Semi-Biopic. In the 2006 film, Dream Girls, alluding to Diana Ross and the Supremes, the character played by Jennifer Hudson (Effie White) meets with a far happier fate than the real life person who inspired the character (Florence Ballard). A lighter genre, musicals usually require happier endings, and this strategy provides it.
5) Documentary Biopic (Docu-Drama). Here, a documentary is sprinkled throughout with dramatic reenactments. Most often employed are violent scenarios, such as battle scenes and mass uprisings; but actors may also recite dialogue – usually gleaned from archived letters and court transcripts (but dialogue may also come from the imagination of the screenwriter). iBiographies.com also grants considerable weight in terms of entertainment value to Docu-Dramas. Here, veracity is not the issue. The big question is: Can the viewer lose him/herself in the story of the historical figures concerned to qualify the film as a “biopic”? Some reenactments in Docu-Dramas are of such high quality that the documentary feels like a biographical drama. David Grubin’s 2009 Docu-Drama, American Experience: The Trials of J. Robert Oppenheimer is one example. Actor David Strathairn’s striking resemblance to Dr. Oppenheimer and superb acting blend seamlessly with archived footages and recorded interviews. Waltz with Bashir of 2009 is perhaps the most innovative. It is an Israeli Docu-Drama done in animation chronicling the 1982 Lebanon War as seen through the eyes of director Ari Folman. Both reenactments and historical footages are presented through animation.
6) Fictional Biopic (Fact-Based Fiction). This is not an oxymoron. Although it is the cousin of the broader historical drama, certain fact-based fiction possesses great historical and educational value. The difference here (from the Semi-Biopic mentioned above) is that the characters in this type of biopic are totally fictional and do not allude to any real historical figures. However, historical events, places and dates, and even landmarks, institutions, and vessels are presented specifically and accurately, giving the film significant historical and educational authenticity. One example is the memorable 1960 film, Exodus. The film chronicles accurately the events and experiences of passengers of the refugee ship SS Exodus 1949 as well as the events leading up to the founding of the State of Israel. However, the main characters of the film cannot be definitively identified in any real historical figures. Another example is Ridley Scott’s 2007 miniseries, The Company, meticulously documenting the history and inside workings of the C.I.A. Although all the characters in the series are fictitious (except for the supporting role of James Jesus Angleton played Michael Keaton), it’s historical breadth and accuracy qualify it as a “biopic”. The reason why Scott didn’t even use the Semi-Biopic format is simple; nobody really has the complete picture of the true players of the C.I.A. due to its secrecy. Finally, there is the 1997 blockbuster Titanic. Here, some of the minor characters are based on real historical figures, such as the “Unsinkable” Molly Brown played by Kathy Bates. However, the main characters portrayed by Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet have no bases in history and therefore do not quality as an Event Biopic. Here, the star is the ship RMS Titanic itself, and director James Cameron has presented its physical features as well as the circumstances surrounding its sinking with almost scientific accuracy. Because its scholarly details are beyond just being a historical backdrop, it qualifies as a Fictional Biopic instead of being your garden-variety historical drama.
7) Mythic Biopic. This may or may not be an oxymoron. Here, historical figures and events are based on certain texts and sources that cannot be substantiated, but such sources have cultivated considerable credibility and prestige in society over time. Stories from the Bible are good examples. However, cutting edge archaeological research, with the help of breakthroughs in biochemistry (such as DNA research) and other physical sciences (such as Radiocarbon dating), is beginning to shine credibility on certain Bible stories, though many findings are still inconclusive. One example is the 2005 excavations in Israel that may have unearthed the palace of the fabled ruler King David. Regardless of historical accuracy, these “biopics” deserve a category of its own simply because of their possible historic and educational importance. Clearly, Cecil B. DeMille’s 1956 blockbuster, The Ten Commandments, is a great example. Without doubt, the charcter of Pharaoh Ramesses II (played by Yul Brenner) is thoroughly documented by Greek historians and archaeological evidence. However, there is little corroborating evidence to support the existence of Moses (played by Charlton Heston), let alone his parting of the Red Sea. Another type of Mythic Biopics are “factual accounts” that may have actually been derived from folklore. Eyewitness testimonies of Bigfoot, UFOs, and the Loch Ness Monster are fodder for many movie genres, from questionable biopics to simple science fiction and horror flicks. Although one just can’t readily dismiss the Mythic Biopic as nonsense, commonsense tells us that such stories probably have little bases in history or science.
8) Alternate History/Hypothetical Biopic. An oxymoron. Though extremely rare, certain Alternate History/Hypothetical Biopics can be more historically relevant than some Mythic Biopics, if research into the historical figures and events concerned are well done and the theories proposed are informative if not believable. However, to qualify as an Alternate History/Hypothetical Biopic, the main characters in the film must be based on real living people – or else it would be your run-of-the-mill alternate history or fantasy/science fiction film. The reason why this genre is ranked so low on this list is because it, by definition, is laying down a framework in the story that cannot be true (and the viewer knows this), but the scenarios inside of this framework might be true. One example of a good Alternate History/Hypothetical Biopic is The Trial of Lee Harvey Oswald (1977 on ABC). The audience knows that the framework of the film, the trial, never took place. But they still get to learn something realistic and probable about Oswald’s life, such as his relationships with his wife and mother; or his psychological makeup leading up to the assassination. Two of Us (2000) is another example of a Hypothetical Biopic. The film is about a discussion between John Lennon and Paul McCartney in 1976 that never took place. But their exchange gives the viewer great insight into their relationship and personalities as well as their views of a possible Beatles reunion. And The Hours of 2002 about Virginia Woolf made the iBiographies.com biopic list even when Woolf’s story parallels with that of two fictional characters from different time periods. Again, insight into Woolf’s psyche was educational and warrants a biopic status. However, a film about H.G. Wells travelling through time to confront Jack the Ripper wrecking havoc in the future (Time After Time of 1979) does not qualify as an Alternate History/Hypothetical Biopic even when the characters are based on real people. Here, the framework is time travel. That’s fine. But since little insight about the characters are given, and H.G. Wells most likely have never met Jack the Ripper in reality, there is no historical value that can be harvested from this film. And this leads us to our final category below.
9) Namesake Biopic. This is a misnomer. These movies are “biopics” only because they feature real historic figures, but there are practically no educational information given about them or the events that surround them. Most Life Story Biopics and Career/Event Biopics also contain fictitious scenarios. But the viewer knows that the situations presented are good estimations of what probably might or should have happened. One medium that is most culpable in creating Namesake Biopics is the television series. Having to hammer out too many episodes, they would misrepresent real historical figures such as Eliot Ness and Davy Crockett through improbable adventures week after week. In the movies, Jack the Ripper and Count Dracula (Vlad the Impaler) are the biggest victims (real poetic justice here)! As fun and entertaining as they may be, such movies or TV shows create ignorance by distorting facts and events and by creating silly myths in the population. In effect, they are diluting the historical figures’ “trademarks” to the point where people have forgotten who they really are or that they are even real. This in turn dilutes that society’s own history and heritage.
By S. S. Wong © 2009. All rights reserved.

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