Movies can do a lot of things, they can entertain us, they can educate us, they can take us somewhere new and now and then they can inspire us - they can tell stories about people who did what was right, who stood up and made a difference.

In that spirit, I give you a list of my Top 10 Movie Characters that Made a Difference. For this list I only used films made in the English language - I’ll work on a foreign film list soon. Some of the folks listed are based on real people, some are made up, some are successful in their ventures, some are not - either way, their efforts, their desire to set things right, is a difference in and of itself. Sometimes two characters in a movie worked together, so I listed both (but counted them as one) - this just goes to show how powerful working together can be.

So read on and let me know if I’ve missed one of your favorite inspirational characters - lucky for us movie-goers there are a lot out there.

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1. Gregory Peck as Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird - I first saw this as a child, as many people do, and it changed the way I looked at the world, as I’m sure it does for many people. The story of a daughter recollecting her father’s defense of a black man who has been wrongly accused of rape is a true testament to doing what’s right. A clear example of standing up against injustice and prejudice, Atticus Finch is every little girl’s hero (and should be!)

to learn more about the rights defendants have, regardless of resources.

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2. Sally Field as Norma Rae in Norma Rae - Many people remember that Sally Field won an Oscar for this movie, I just hope they haven’t forgotten the character she won it for. Norma Rae fought against horrible working conditions to create a union for her and her fellow workers. In doing so she taught us all about solidarity and standing up to the powers that be when they aren’t doing what they’re supposed to. She taught us to fight for what’s right.

to learn more about workplace rights.

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3. Russell Crowe and Al Pacino as Jeffrey Wigand and Lowell Bergman in The Insider - We live in a complicated world, where companies are owned by other companies and sometimes these companies do things that are bad. The character of Jeffrey Wigand is someone who decided to stand up and tell the truth about a company, despite the risks and what might happen to him. The character of Lowell Bergman is a newsman who decided to allow Wigand the chance to tell his story. While the movie might not make us feel good about the world, Wigand And Bergman are examples that even if we don’t win, we have to fight.

to learn more about whistleblowing.

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4. Jimmy Stewart as Ransom Stoddard in The Man Who Shot Liberty Valence - The movie is a classic Western in many respects - there are guns, there are good guys, bad guys and it’s even directed by John Ford. What makes it different? Ransom Stoddard does. He comes to the town of Shinbone after being beaten and robbed by Liberty Valence, but instead of retaliating with guns and violence, Stoddard suggests they use the law to set things right. He then goes on to set up a school to teach the people in the town to read and write. Despite the fact that Liberty Valence does get shot, Stoddard stands for right over might and the power of knowledge.

to learn more about how awesome free schools can be (Ranse Stoddard would love them!).

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5. Daniel Day-Lewis and Emma Thompson as Gerry Conlon and Gareth Peirce in In the Name of the Father - When Gerry Conlan is wrongly imprisoned for a bombing along with his father, he spends 14 years in prison. British lawyer Gareth Peirce works against the system to clear his name, along with others. Together, Gerry and Gareth inspire and teach us never to give up and never to give in.

to learn about prisoner’s rights.

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6. Warren Beatty and Diane Keaton as John Reed and Louise Byrant in Reds - Revolutions can cause change, and even when they can’t directly, they can indirectly by inspiring others. John Reed and Louise Byrant are characters who become immersed in their beliefs and truly fight for change, fight for a revolution. We need the grassroots, even when it seems futile.

and read up on revolution!

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7. Jennifer Connelly and Billy Crudup as Sarah Williams and Fielding Pierce in Waking the Dead - Sarah and Fielding are two people in love that both believe very strongly in making the world a better place. Where they differ is in their belief on how that can be done. Sarah works for a radical Catholic Church and goes against the system to make her points, she stays true to her values in every way possible. Fielding on the other hand wants to be a Senator, he wants to make the government better by being in it, he wants to prove that he can change things from within. The film may be a love story on the outside, but on the inside there are two characters exploring the ways in which we can work to create change.

to learn how to run for office and change things from the inside.

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8. Dustin Hoffman and Robert Redford as Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward in All the President’s Men - The story of Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein illustrates the power of the news and the power of those who work to tell us the truth. Their motivation to uncover Watergate came from a desire to makes things right and to tell the real story. Despite pressure to stop their investigation, they continued on and used their first amendment right in the way that it was intended to be used.

to learn more about first amendment rights.

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9. Imelda Staunton as Vera Drake in Vera Drake - Regardless of what you think about what Vera Drake did, she stands for a woman with very little that that risked everything to help those who were less fortunate. The film does a great job of showing how the rich and the powerful young women were able to go to doctors to take care of themselves, even when it was against the law. Vera did what she could to try and give the poor an alternative, to give them a choice that wasn’t as dangerous as what they would have had without her. Like I said, you can say what you want about her action, but not about her spirit - it was nothing but generous and giving.

to learn more about making sure everyone has equal opportunities when it comes to health care.

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10. Henry Fonda as Juror #8 in 12 Angry Men - Juror #8 demonstrates the importance of speaking up, even when it isn’t easy and you have many people wishing you wouldn’t. As Fonda’s juror slowly gets the rest of the 11 angry men to think about whether the person on trial is actually guilty, we get to watch the power of sticking by your guns and using your voice!

to learn about your rights as a juror.