Top 18 Biography Movies Must-See Released in 1973

A French convict in the 1930s befriends a fellow criminal as the two of them begin serving their sentence in the South American penal colony on Devil's Island, which inspires the man to plot his escape. Info on Papillon / IMDB / YouTube

An honest New York cop named Frank Serpico blows the whistle on rampant corruption in the force only to have his comrades turn against him. Look into Serpico / IMDB / YouTube

Pat Garrett is hired as a lawman on behalf of a group of wealthy New Mexico cattle barons to bring down his old friend Billy the Kid. Details on Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid / IMDB / YouTube

Based on the life of Tennessee sheriff Buford Pusser, who almost single-handedly cleaned up his small town of crime and corruption, but at a personal cost of his family life and nearly his own life. Look into Walking Tall / IMDB / YouTube

At the end of the 16th century Wallachian ruler Prince Michael the Brave overcame the adversity of the Ottoman and Austrian Empires to unite Wallachia, Moldavia and Transylvania into one country. Check out Michael the Brave / IMDB / YouTube

The reign of the tormented Ludwig, king of Bavaria, from 1864 to 1886. Learn about Ludwig / IMDB / YouTube

John Dillinger and his gang go on a bank robbing spree across the midwest, but one G-Man is determined to bring him down. Find out about Dillinger / IMDB / YouTube

Made shortly after his death, this documentary explores the brief life and remarkable legacy of guitarist Jimi Hendrix. See more about Jimi Hendrix / IMDB / YouTube

A dramatization based on eyewitness accounts of Hitler's final days in an underground bunker, his military henchmen, and his stormy relationship with Eva Braun. More about Hitler: The Last Ten Days / IMDB / YouTube

This Oscar-winning documentary explores the life of one-time child evangelist and faith healer Marjoe Gortner. The son of professional evangelists, Gortner was preaching on the Southern tent-revival circuit by the age of 3. More about Marjoe / IMDB / YouTube

Using his status as a police informant to procure his victims, baby-faced, shaven-headed Fritz Haarmann dismembers their bodies after death and sells the flesh to restaurants, dumping the remainder out of sight. Look into Tenderness of the Wolves / IMDB / YouTube

Biopic of Mafia boss Lucky Luciano, covering his life from 1946 to 1962 with occasional flashbacks. Get info on Lucky Luciano / IMDB / YouTube

Documentary on Charles Manson and his family. Has a number of insightful interviews with many family members most notably Squeaky and Sandy (Blue and Red). There is also a history of Manson from his birth to the family formation to the Tate/La Bianca murders. Plenty of footage of the family playing at Spahn Ranch. Info on Manson / IMDB / YouTube

Fleeing from his enemies in the Catholic Church, the free thinking philosopher, poet and scientist Giordano Bruno (1548-1600) has found some protection in Venice. But the Roman Inquisition, fearing his influence in Europe, wants to bring him on trial for heresy. Details on Giordano Bruno / IMDB / YouTube

When a young woman who is living in the woods with her struggling-musician husband and her very young daughter discovers that she has terminal cancer, she begins to tape-record a journal of the time she has left, hoping to leave something precious for her daughter. Read about Sunshine / IMDB / YouTube

A freestyle biopic of Ikki Kita, the ultranationalist intellectual whose ideas inspired the failed military coup in 1936. See more about Coup d'Etat / IMDB / YouTube

Based on a true story, this action-packed, hard-hitting depiction of the infamous Ashley gang - who terrorized the southeast in the 1920's - also illustrates a desperate love between two people destined for destruction. Check out Little Laura and Big John / IMDB / YouTube

The evocation of Ciprian Porumbescu's life is punctuated from place to place, throughout the film, by strongly emotional moments, which manage to convey not only the deep patriotic thrill that animated his creation and belief. Learn about Ciprian Porumbescu / IMDB / YouTube