127 Hours & 9 Other Travel Movies Based On True Stories

Travel movies are generally the kind that have an adventurous backdrop or a coming-of-age theme that sees the protagonists learn something profound. 127 Hours was Danny Boyle’s well-received entry in the genre, which was nominated for an Oscar and still remains a classic to be enjoyed.

127 Hours and other movies that feature deeper thematic material deserve better recognition in the age where streaming has made it easier to access content. What makes these stories so gripping is that they are based on true stories that happened to people in real life, so the emotions to be experienced are as genuine as the characters onscreen.

127 Hours (2010)

Stream On The Roku Channel And Tubi

Among the travel-based stories to receive major Oscar recognition, this movie is an adaptation of the memoir Between a Rock and a Hard Place by Aron Ralston. It features James Franco playing Ralston during the latter’s ordeal in Utah’s Bluejohn Canyon where his arm was stuck between a rock and a boulder.

The story is about Ralston’s perseverance to survive what was pretty much a lethal scenario by cutting off his arm to escape. It also seeks to educate people about staying safe and keeping in communication with loved ones over their whereabouts to avoid similar experiences as Ralston had to undergo.

Eat Pray Love (2010)

Streaming On Starz

While not generally included in Julia Roberts’ best movies because of the actress’s superb filmography, Eat Pray Love is a relatable story. It’s based on Elizabeth Gilbert’s memoir of the same, where she went on a tour of the world and visited Italy, India, and Indonesia.

Gilbert found the true meaning of each title word in the three countries, and Julia Roberts portrays her experiences. The film is more dramatized and romanticized to fit a feature film length and should entertain those who love scenic settings with a spiritual aesthetic.

Wild (2014)

Buy/Rent On iTunes And Google Play

One of the contenders for Reese Witherspoon’s best performance to date, this film is based on Cheryl Strayed’s memoir Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail. The story sees Strayed’s journey to complete the Pacific Crest Trail, where she hikes more than 1,100 miles.

It’s a coming-of-age drama set within the adventure genre, as the main character faces many harsh environments during her journey. The drama aspect comes from Strayed’s depression at losing her mother, which she overcomes over the course of her long hike.

Gorillas In The Mist (1988)

Buy/Rent On iTunes And Google Play

Based on the life of Dian Fossey, Gorillas in the Mist stars Sigourney Weaver with her character looking to stop poaching of gorillas in Rwanda. The movie largely relies on Weaver’s stellar acting, which opens up viewers to really feel for the plight of the animals.

Although Fossey comes across more as an audience surrogate than the real-life person she was, her efforts to preserve the animals are understood. Gorillas in the Mist also portrays the conditions of living out in the jungle that the direction of Michael Apted captures very well.

Jungle (2017)

Stream On Amazon Prime Video

Daniel Radcliffe has expanded into a variety of different genres over the years and Jungle is proof of his range. It’s based on adventurer Yossi Ghinsberg’s 1981 journey into the Amazon rainforest, where he came close to death when he was veered off course with his group.

The film looks to humanize Ghinsberg for audiences by focusing on his psyche during his bid for survival, which Radcliffe accomplishes masterfully. The jungle comes across as deep as challenging as it was for Ghinsberg in real life, with a mystery also looming over the identities of the men in Ghinsberg’s party.

Into The Wild (2007)

Stream On Netflix

Detailing the decision of Chris McCandless to live on his own away from civilization, Into the Wild is about the last few years before his demise. It depicts McCandless’ mindset over moving away from his friends and family, along with the events that motivated him to do so.

McCandless travels across the country in an abandoned bus he names “The Magic Bus,” meeting people from all walks of life before landing himself where no one can find him. It’s also an emotional tale of a person who finds his purpose much too late and farther away than he needed to be.

Tracks (2013)

Stream On The Roku Channel And Pluto Tv

Mia Wasikowska is generally known for starring in gothic horror movies, which will make her appearance in Tracks seem like a change from the norm. She plays Robyn Davidson, who went on a nine-month trek in the Australian desert during the late-1970s.

Adam Driver plays Davidson’s love interest Rick Smolan, a photographer who meets Davidson periodically. It’s an uplifting story that shows how people need a way to unwind and connect with the outside world, with Davidson’s journey both inspirational and heartwarming to follow.

The Aeronauts (2019)

Stream On Amazon Prime Video

Eddie Redmayne has been busy beyond his role as Newt Scamander in the Fantastic Beasts movies, with The Aeronauts pairing him with Felicity Jones. Although it’s based on the record-breaking altitude achieved by James Glaisher and Henry Coxwell in the 19th century, Coxwell’s role is altered to place the fictional Amelia in his place.

Apart from that, however, the story stays true about the research into predicting weather where the protagonists head to the skies. It’s a thrilling story filled with set pieces as well as character insights over the tragedies that took place in the leads’ lives.

Seven Years In Tibet (1997)

Stream On Starz

Not many are aware of this film’s presence in Brad Pitt’s filmography, which takes place from the 1930s to 1950. It’s an adaptation of Austrian mountaineer Heinrich Harrer’s 1952 memoir of the same name that sees him escape imprisonment during WWII in the Himalayas and into Tibet, where he connects with the Dalai Lama.

Those who haven’t seen Pitt in a spiritual setting will appreciate the actor’s venture into different material, with the movie also featuring a war backdrop as Harrer’s story details everything that happened to him during WWII and subsequent years.

The Motorcycle Diaries (2004)

Stream On iTunes And Google Play

Based on the memoir by Che Guevara during his time as a young 23-year-old man, The Motorcycle Diaries follows Guevara and Alberto Granado on the road as they head across South America, encountering the injustices found in that part of the world.

The duo’s experiences permanently shape their life choices, as Guevara held on to the beliefs he learned during his trip. Gael Garcia Bernal portrays Guevara, with the future leader’s youth-based mentality portrayed in full swing in what is simultaneously a coming-of-age story.

Kon-Tiki (2012)

Stream On The Roku Channel, Tubi, And Pluto TV

Thor Heyerdahl went on a journey that spanned over 4,300 miles across the Pacific in a raft in 1947, which is dramatized in the movie. Kon-Tiki was the name given to the raft and is the primary setting as Heyerdahl goes on his adventure with a small crew of a few trusted men.

Heyerdahl’s efforts were to prove that South Americans could travel as far as Polynesia, which was disputed amongst his peers. It’s an epic drama that was recognized as Norway’s entry for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language film, also being nominated for a Golden Globe Award.

About The Author

Saim Cheeda
(1348 Articles Published)

Saim Cheeda is an entertainment writer covering all of Film, TV, Gaming and Books. He’s been a writer for Valnet since 2017, contributing 500+ articles for The Gamer, The Things, Game Rant, Comic Book Resources and Screen Rant. Apart from freelance writing, Saim is a lifestyle blogger, co-owning the blog 3 States Apart.

http://3statesapart.com

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