Top 16 History Movies Must-See Released in 2005

Traudl Junge, the final secretary for Adolf Hitler, tells of the Nazi dictator's final days in his Berlin bunker at the end of WWII. Get info on Downfall / IMDB / YouTube

Paul Rusesabagina, a hotel manager, houses over a thousand Tutsi refugees during their struggle against the Hutu militia in Rwanda, Africa. Info on Hotel Rwanda / IMDB / YouTube

Balian of Ibelin travels to Jerusalem during the Crusades of the 12th century, and there he finds himself as the defender of the city and its people. Learn about Kingdom of Heaven / IMDB / YouTube

The true story of James J. Braddock, a supposedly washed-up boxer, who returned to the spotlight to win the heavyweight championship of the world. Get info on Cinderella Man / IMDB / YouTube

Controversy surrounds high school basketball coach Ken Carter after he benches his entire team for breaking their academic contract with him. Learn about Coach Carter / IMDB / YouTube

The heartwarming tale of Nitta Sayuri, a young Japanese woman who transcended from her fishing-village roots and became one of Japan's most celebrated geisha. Check out Memoirs of a Geisha / IMDB / YouTube

Broadcast journalist Edward R. Murrow looks to bring down Senator Joseph McCarthy. See more about Good Night, and Good Luck. / IMDB / YouTube

In December 1914, an unofficial Christmas truce on the Western Front allows soldiers from opposing sides of the First World War to gain insight into each other's way of life. Info on Joyeux Noel / IMDB / YouTube

A dramatization of the final days of Sophie Scholl, one of the most famous members of the German World War II anti-Nazi resistance movement, The White Rose. More about Sophie Scholl: The Final Days / IMDB / YouTube

Taking place towards the end of WWII, 500 American Soldiers have been entrapped in a camp for 3 years. Beginning to give up hope they will ever be rescued, a group of Rangers goes on a dangerous mission to try and save them. Read about The Great Raid / IMDB / YouTube

Four American soldiers and one Brit fighting in Europe during World War II struggle to return to Allied territory after being separated from U.S. forces during the historic Malmedy Massacre. Check out Saints and Soldiers / IMDB / YouTube

A group of Russian army recruits complete training and take their posting in late-1980s Afghanistan, where the insurgents are slowly gaining the upper hand. Read about 9th Company / IMDB / YouTube

A documentary about the Enron corporation, its faulty and corrupt business practices, and how they led to its fall. Check out Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room / IMDB / YouTube

This is a film about the leader of the 1857 mutiny and his fight against the British rule. Find out about Mangal Pandey / IMDB / YouTube

Is American foreign policy dominated by the idea of military supremacy? Has the military become too important in American life? Jarecki's shrewd and intelligent polemic would seem to give an affirmative answer to each of these questions. Read about Why We Fight / IMDB / YouTube

Award-winning director Fatih Akin takes us on a journey through Istanbul, the city that bridges Europe and Asia, and challenges familiar notions of east and west. He looks at the vibrant musical scene which includes traditional Turkish music plus rock and hip-hop. Get info on Crossing the Bridge: The Sound of Istanbul / IMDB / YouTube