Rentals

The Biopic

Fascinating, diverse and frequently controversial, the biopic crosses genres to dramatise real lives in engrossing ways.

Once largely confined to the depiction of important historical figures, the biographical film has expanded generously to provide insight into all walks of life, from politicians to film stars, from dreamers to fighters, from children to pensioners.

The biopic has also become known as a showcase for actors’ talents, with the ability to convincingly inhabit and display the inner life of often mercurial figures rightly garnering awards and praise.

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RedoubtableRedoubtable

Biopic2017108 minsDirector: Michel Hazanavicius

From the Oscar-winning director of The Artist, a brilliantly realised portrait of France’s maestro director Jean-Luc Godard spiralling into philosophical and romantic crisis.

Rent for £4.50

KneecapKneecap

Drama2024105 minsDirector: Rich Peppiatt

Fantastically outlandish biopic about the anarchic Belfast rap trio and their fight to save the Irish language.

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My Friend DahmerMy Friend Dahmer

Biopic2017107 minsDirector: Marc Meyers

Marc Meyers' adaptation of Derf Backderf’s revered graphic novel is an unnerving teen horror-drama about the makings of a murderer.

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The GrandmasterThe Grandmaster

Action and Adventure2013109 minsDirector: Wong Kar Wai

Wong Kar-Wai’s lavish martial arts biopic tells the story of Ip Man, the legendary trainer who became Bruce Lee’s mentor.

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Southside with YouSouthside with You

Biopic201684 minsDirector: Richard Tanne

This smart, sophisticated, Sundance-nominated romance follows the first date of a couple who would go on to change the world – Barack and Michelle Obama.

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The Girl KingThe Girl King

Historical drama2015106 minsDirector: Mika Kaurismäki

Lush retelling of the story of lesbian monarch Queen Christina of Sweden, combining period drama with a deeply personal love story.

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Napoléon Pt 1Napoléon Pt 1

Biopic1927177 minsSilentDirector: Abel Gance

Abel Gance’s silent epic, one of the most magnificent spectacles in all cinema is finally restored in this stunning new digital restoration.

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Eddie the EagleEddie the Eagle

Biopic2016106 minsDirector: Dexter Fletcher

Relive the inspiring story of one of Britain’s most memorable Olympic characters, with Taron Egerton as the ski-jumper who made history at the 1988 Winter Olympics.

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LizzieLizzie

Crime2018105 minsDirector: Craig Macneill

Chloë Sevigny and Kristen Stewart captivate in this bodice-ripping retelling of the strange and fascinating case of Lizzie Borden.

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LegendLegend

Crime2015131 minsDirector: Brian Helgeland

Tom Hardy’s magnetic double-performance as infamous East End gangsters Reggie and Ronnie Kray commands Brian Helgeland stylish biopic.

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Film Stars Don't Die in LiverpoolFilm Stars Don't Die in Liverpool

Biopic2017106 minsDirector: Paul McGuigan

Annette Bening and Jamie Bell bring to life the true story of the love affair between Gloria Grahame and young, Liverpudlian actor Peter Turner.

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The ProgramThe Program

Biopic2015103 minsDirector: Stephen Frears

Ben Foster is Lance Armstrong in this kinetic account of the cyclist who fell from grace, from acclaimed director Stephen Frears.

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ChurchillChurchill

Biopic201798 minsDirector: Jonathan Teplitzky

Brian Cox is superb as the political titan and great British hero; here presented as plagued with self-doubt on the eve of his finest hour.

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The Imitation GameThe Imitation Game

Biopic2014115 minsDirector: Morten Tyldum

Benedict Cumberbatch’s roundly acclaimed performance anchors the incredible, Oscar-winning story of code-breaker Alan Turing.

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The OdysseyThe Odyssey

Biopic2016123 minsDirector: Jérôme Salle

Jérôme Salle's candid biopic of the underwater explorer and photographer Jacques-Yves Cousteau is a bold tribute to the lure of the sea.

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A Quiet PassionA Quiet Passion

Biopic2017125 minsDirector: Terence Davies

Terence Davies' elegant and deeply moving biopic of poet Emily Dickinson, played with sensitivity and rebellious spirit by Cynthia Nixon.

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NerudaNeruda

Biopic2016110 minsDirector: Pablo Larraín

Pablo Larraín's bold, inventive detective thriller offers an electrifying contemplation of the Chilean poet's life on the run in the late 1940s.

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Sid and NancySid and Nancy

Biopic1986113 minsDirector: Alex Cox

A raw and unnerving depiction of the short, incendiary life and times of Sex Pistols punk rockstar Sid Vicious and his girlfriend Nancy Spungen.

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A Royal Night OutA Royal Night Out

Drama201597 minsDirector: Julian Jarrold

Julian Jarrold’s charming historical drama recreates Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret’s night of celebrations on V.E. Day 1945.

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LovelaceLovelace

Biopic201393 minsDirector: Jeffrey Friedman and Robert Epstein

Porn star Linda Lovelace (Amanda Seyfried) finds herself abused by the industry and her maniacal husband– so she sets off to embrace feminism and, vitally, herself.

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Jimi All Is by My SideJimi All Is by My Side

Biopic2013118 minsDirector: John Ridley

OutKast’s André Benjamin stars as Jimi Hendrix on the cusp of greatness, honing his act in Swinging London, in this revealing and alternative take on the rock biopic.

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BronsonBronson

Biopic200992 minsDirector: Nicolas Winding Refn

Tom Hardy is sensational as Britain’s most notorious criminal, Michael Gordon Peterson, in Nicolas Winding Refn’s visceral and stylised biopic.

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PasoliniPasolini

Biopic201484 minsDirector: Abel Ferrara

Willem Dafoe plays the controversial filmmaker Pier Paolo Pasolini in this dark, daring drama about the director’s final days, from Abel Ferrara.

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The Invisible WomanThe Invisible Woman

Biopic2014111 minsDirector: Ralph Fiennes

Ralph Fiennes directs and stars in this adaptation of Claire Tomalin’s book about the long-standing affair between Charles Dickens and Nelly Ternan.

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Loving VincentLoving Vincent

Drama201795 minsDirector: Hugh Welchman and Dorota Kobiela

The first ever fully painted feature film takes us through the last days of Vincent van Gogh.

Rent for £1.00

Delphinium, a Childhood Portrait of Derek JarmanDelphinium, a Childhood Portrait of Derek Jarman

Biopic201013 minsDirector: Matthew Mishory

Delphinium is a stylized and lyrical coming-of-age portrait of Derek Jarman’s artistic, sexual, and political awakening in post-War England.

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Joshua Tree, 1951 A Portrait of James DeanJoshua Tree, 1951 A Portrait of James Dean

Biopic201294 minsDirector: Matthew Mishory

A sensuous and sexy snapshot from the life of James Dean, capturing moments from the years before his career took off.

Currently unavailable

HungerHunger

Biopic200896 minsDirector: Steve McQueen

Northern Ireland, 1981. In the Maze prison, Bobby Sands begins a hunger strike to reclaim the status of Republican inmates as political prisoners.

Currently unavailable

The QueenThe Queen

Drama2006103 minsDirector: Stephen Frears

Helen Mirren won an Oscar for her performance as the enduring monarch who comes under scrutiny following the death of Princess Diana.