17 period dramas that nailed their historical accuracy

Modified Feb 04, 2025 12:18 ET

Hiroyuki Sanada in Shogun | Image via FXP

6) 12 Years A Slave (2013)

Scene from 12 Years A Slave | Image via 20th Century Studios

12 Years A Slave is a powerful biographical period drama on the true story of Solomon Northup, a free African American man who was kidnapped and sold into slavery in the United States before the Civil War. Based on Northup's 1853 memoir, The film is known for its accurate depiction of the harsh realities of slavery. It shows the brutal conditions on plantations and the struggles of enslaved people. The filmmakers used real historical locations, accurate costumes, and true events to tell Solomon's story.