By Johnny Burkin

Hollywood doesn't always bring the big screen into our backyard, but when it does, it can truly be special. Hit films like “True Grit,” “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,” “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade,” “Die Hard 2,” “The Hateful Eight,” and many more have seen their productions come through the Centennial State. Click here for a Thirst Colorado story that digs deeper into the locations of some of those films.

With that said, what most of these films lack is that true Colorado connection. We’re talking about stories that have a unique and real-life tie to the state we call home. That is why we've compiled a list of five films that do exactly that. Now, these might not be as memorable as some of the classics listed above, but they do have a part in bringing a piece of Colorado history to life.

“The Unsinkable Molly Brown” (1964)

This musical comedy starring Debbie Reynolds gives a fictionalized account of the life of Margaret Brown, one of Colorado's most celebrated figures. Known for her larger-than-life spirit, Brown was not only immortalized by her heroic actions during the sinking of the Titanic in 1912, but also for her philanthropy and activism.

After all, anyone who has had their home turned into a museum must have been a pretty big deal. So if you're in the mood for a few musical numbers and a look into the life of a truly remarkable woman, this is definitely a film you should check out.

“Miracle” (2004)

There's just something about a good sports movie that makes you feel good inside. That's no different when it comes to “Miracle” and its retelling of one of the biggest underdog stories in sports history. Of course, I'm talking about the 1980 United States men's Olympic ice hockey team, which upset the Soviet Union, while on their way to winning the Olympic gold medal.

But wait, what exactly does that have to do with Colorado? Well, as some of you may know, tryouts for the team were actually held in Colorado Springs. Now known as the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Center, this is where coach Herb Brooks, played by Kurt Russell in the film, lays out the foundation for the team.

“Cannibal! The Musical” (1993)

If you've ever heard of Alfred Packer, then you know him to be one of the more disturbing individuals found in the lore of Colorado history. And yes, I'm talking about the fact that in 1874 he confessed to cannibalism, which naturally serves as the backdrop to “Cannibal! The Musical,” a highly fictitious and comedic take on the life of Packer.

Interestingly enough, the film was directed by and stars Trey Parker as well as his longtime friend Matt Stone, in the days before “South Park” and “The Book of Mormon.”

“Blakkklansman” (2018)

Set in 1970s Colorado Springs, this Spike Lee joint is based on the real life story of Ron Stallworth, a detective in the city's police department and a man who sets out to infiltrate the Ku Klux Klan. Making this all the more improbable is that Stallworth is black.

The film was nominated for several Academy Awards, including best picture and director. It also stars John David Washington, the son of Denzel Washington, in a breakout role for the former football player turned actor. Suffice it to say, this one is a must watch.

“Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile” (2019)

Frankly, I've never understood the true crime craze, but this 2019 biographical crime drama takes us into the gruesome existence of none other than Ted Bundy, one of America's most infamous serial killers.

Bundy has a very sinister connection to Colorado, primarily for his role in the disappearance and murder of Caryn Campbell in 1975, but also for his subsequent escapes, one during a pre-trial hearing in Pitkin County and the other while jailed in Glenwood Springs. All this of course plays out in the film, which taps Hollywood heartthrob Zac Efron as Bundy.