The Best Epic Films: Part One

The epic has long been a staple of the Hollywood film industry. From the sprawling Biblical epics of the 1950s (such as the famous "The Ten Commandments,") to the huge success that was Peter Jackson's "The Lord of the Rings," the epic has remained a fixture of the film scene. The following epic films, produced largely in the last decade, are some of the most entertaining and well-done of these films, although later installments in this series will explore other similar films.

"The Lord of the Rings"
Without a doubt Peter Jackson's masterpiece set the bar high on all types of epics that would follow in its footsteps. In bringing J.R.R. Tolkien's magnificent opus to the big screen, Jackson ensured that his name would become synonymous with the genre of the epic film. With its mixture of human (and sometimes not human) magic and sprawling battle scenes, this beautiful epic film well deserves a place on any list of the best epics.

"Avatar"
Although I had my doubts about this film when it was first released, I have since become convinced that it is truly one of the most powerful and masterfully told epics that Hollywood has ever produced. With its eye-popping special effects and riveting story (predictable as it might be at some points,) this film has certainly earned its place in the pantheon of great epic films.

"Gladiator"
This epic film, directed by Ridley Scott, tells the emotionally powerful story of the gladiator Maximus as he struggles against the tyranny and corruption of the wicked Roman Emperor Commodus. Although not exactly true to history, this film nevertheless paints a rousing story of the glory and splendor that was the might of Imperial Rome. Released at the very beginning of the 2000s, this film helped to revive the epic as a financially viable genre and as such deserves a place on this list

"Alexander"
Although this film, directed by the brilliant Oliver Stone, was not terribly successful upon its initial release, it is nevertheless an interesting film for the ways in which it attempts to handle the very contradictory figure of Alexander the Great. Although it tends to whitewash his relationships with the men in his life (such as Hephaistion and the Persian Bagoas,) the film does cross some boundaries when it comes to same-sex love on the screen.

"300"
Although this gory and muscle-bound film is certainly full of numerous problems, as a spectacle and as an example of 21st Century movie-making it is hard to beat. It tells the story of three hundred Spartan warriors as they attempt to hold off an invasion of the Persian emperor Xerxes and his hordes. Be warned, however, that this epic, as great as it might be, is not for the faint of heart.

All of these epic films, whether produced in the early or late part of the decade, are excellent examples of the genre. True, they might have their problems when it comes to historical or literary accuracy, but as pure spectacle they are hard to beat. Future installments in this series will detail some of the other epics that have been produced by Hollywood, including those produced during the latter part of the 20th Century.