From Screen to Stage: Hear the True Stories that inspired Hollywood

On a recent flick through Netflix, I was pleasantly surprised when I came across a film that was inspired by a familiar face, and it got me thinking… I wonder how many people in our book of contacts have films inspired by their stories? Thinking I’d probably find only a handful, I enlisted the help of the team and we found quite a few!

Some of these films you wouldn’t realise are based on true stories, as the stories are so incredible that it is often too hard to comprehend that someone has lived it. But it’s these stories that can inspire the masses because ‘ordinary’ people like you and me have been able to achieve the considered impossible. We've put together a collection of films that have been inspired by inspirational stories that you can now hear in person.

Eddie the Eagle

Cut from the Olympic ski team, British athlete  Michael "Eddie" Edwards  travels to Germany to test his skills at ski jumping. Fate leads him to Bronson Peary, a former ski jumper who now works as a snowplow driver. Impressed by Edwards' spirit and determination, Peary agrees to train the young underdog. Despite an entire nation counting him out, Eddie's never-say-die attitude takes him all the way to a historic and improbable showing at the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, Alberta.

We Bought a Zoo

Following his wife's untimely death, Los Angeles journalist  Benjamin Mee  decides to make a fresh start by quitting his job and moving his children to an 18-acre property containing the Rosemoor Wildlife Park. Though closed for years, Rosemoor is still home to many animals, cared for by Kelly Foster and her small staff. Benjamin opens his heart and his checkbook as he, Kelly and the others work to renovate and reopen the zoo.

Touching the Void

In 1985, two young climbers,  Joe Simpson  and Simon Yates, set out to be the first to reach the summit of the Siula Grande in the Peruvian Andes. They succeed, and the two embark on the treacherous descent down the mountain -- only to meet with disaster when Simpson breaks his leg in a fall, leaving Yates to lower him the rest of the way with ropes. When a storm threatens both their lives, Yates must decide whether to cut the rope and risk Simpson's likely death.

127 Hours

While exploring a remote canyon in Utah, mountaineer and adventurer Aron Ralston becomes trapped when a boulder falls on his arm. Over the next five days, Ralston examines his life and considers his options, leading him to an agonizing choice: to amputate his arm so that he can extricate himself and try to make his way back to civilization or remain pinned to the canyon wall and likely die. Based on Ralston's book, "Between a Rock and a Hard Place".

Erin Brokovch

Erin Brockovich  is a woman in a tight spot. Following a car accident in which Erin is not at fault, Erin pleads with her attorney Ed Masry to hire her at his law firm. Erin stumbles upon some medical records placed in real estate files. She convinces Ed to allow her to investigate, where she discovers a cover-up involving contaminated water in a local community which is causing devastating illnesses among its residents.

He Named Me Malala

After the Taliban tries to kill her for speaking out on behalf of girls' education, Pakistani teenager  Malala Yousafzai  emerges as a leading advocate for children's rights and the youngest-ever Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.

Cool Runnings

Four Jamaican bobsleighers ( Devon Harris , Dudley Stokes, Michael White, Freddy Powell, and last minute replacement Chris Stokes) dream of competing in the Winter Olympics, despite never having seen snow. With the help of a disgraced former champion desperate to redeem himself, the Jamaicans set out to become worthy of Olympic selection, and go all out for glory.

The Program

An Irish sports journalist,  David Walsh , becomes convinced that Lance Armstrong's performances during the Tour de France victories are fuelled by banned substances. With this conviction, he starts hunting for evidence that will expose Armstrong.

Kingdom of Us

Lucy Cohen follows a mother,  Vikie Shanks , and her seven children as they experience the grief of their father's suicide. She records their hardships as they attempt to recover emotionally and financially.

Invictus

After his 27-year imprisonment and subsequent election as President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela faces the task of unifying a country divided by race. Only months since the end of Apartheid, divisions still exist between the country's whites and blacks, something Mandela notices during an international rugby match. Realising black supporters cheer on the opposing side when their white Springboks take to the field. It was the handshake between Nelson and Francios Pienaar that changed everything.

Dealing with the perceived impossible, these speakers have shared their stories on the wide screen for the world to enjoy, but hearing the story from the person who lived to tell the tale, ask questions and take away valuable lessons is an experience far better than a 3-D IMAX experience. Regardless if you are looking for an inspirational story to motivate staff, a speaker who specialises in change and dealing with adversity, perhaps showing others how to perform at their peak, these speakers stories will leave the audience with wide eyes.

For further information or to book one of our speakers, call us on +44 (0)20 7607 7070  or email  info@speakerscorner.co.uk .

Newsletter Sign Up

If you liked this article then why not sign up to our newsletters? We promise to send interesting and useful interviews, tips and blogs, plus free event invites too.