Summary
The highly anticipated sequelGladiator 2has fans of the original movie extremely excited about the next depiction of the Roman Empire, appealing to those who enjoy sheer brutality and high-octane violence. Starring Paul Mescal as its lead, Lucius, the character fights for valor and honor in the Colosseum in an attempt to get vengeance on those who have afflicted his life.
Set at the peak of the Roman Empire, the movie explores themes of the period, althoughGladiator 2strays away from being an accurate depiction. LikeGladiator 2, several movies take place in history that provide a level of epicness that enthralls audiences despite lacking total historical accuracy.
Cast
Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, Richard Harris
The war epicGladiatorreinvigorated audiences at the turn of the century, subjecting audiences to peak masculinity and intense drama. Taking place at the height of Marcus Aurelius' Roman Empire,Gladiatorfollows the war general Maximuson his journey of revenge for his deceased family and stolen position, with the character’s mission proving legendary.
While not adhering to total historical accuracy,Gladiator’sepic backdrop of the Roman Empire and the Colosseum facilitates the riveting story that has inspired generations of audience goers and filmmakers alike.
Joaquin Phoenix, Vanessa Kirby, Rupert Everett
Chronicling the life of Napoleon Bonaparte isNapoleon, the movie that follows the title character’s rise to power and the subsequent war efforts that made him so famous.Starring Joaquin Phoenix as the historical leader, the depiction of Napoleon’s life illustrates his reign as Emperor of the French, engaging in politicking, warfare, and scandals.
While much ofNapoleonfollows his life, the movie is filled with historical inaccuracies. However,Napoleon’ssense of scale is marvelous, with Ridley Scott and Phoenix reuniting to deliver the historical epic.
Daniel Day-Lewis, Madeleine Stowe, Jodhi May
The elite combination of Daniel Day-Lewis and Michael Mann came together to craftThe Last of the Mohicans, a war epic set during the peak of the French and Indian War. Although dramatically fictionalized,The Last of the Mohicansdelivers an epic spectacle brimming with compelling characters andawe-inspiring battle sequences reminiscentof 50s and 60s movie epics.
While the protagonist, Hawkeye, engages in a rescue mission to save a British Colonel’s daughter, the movie excels at depicting the landscape of the time period, with the situations of the Native Americans, the British, and the French being explored.
Mel Gibson, Heath Ledger, Chris Cooper
Mel Gibson’s run of roles in the 90s and early 00s was a sight to behold, withThe Patriotcontinuing the actor’s thrilling work. Set in the Revolutionary Warbetween America and Great Britain, Gibson’s Benjamin Martin is a war veteran who comes out of retirement to lead the American Revolution after the death of one of his sons at the hands of the enemy.
While large parts of the narrative and specific characters are heavily fictionalized or loosely based on certain individuals during the Revolutionary War, some of the battles inThe Patriothappen to be the movie’s most historically accurate feature. Specifically, the critical conflicts of the Battle of Cowpens and the Battle of Camden illustrated war tactics utilized in the war.
Timothée Chalamet, Lily-Rose Depp, Robert Pattinson, Joel Edgerton
Medieval England has many films chronicling the time. However,The King, starring Timothée Chalamet, certainly makes its mark, following a young Henry V and his story through William Shakespeare’s interpretation.
Littered with political warfare and treachery,The Kingsees Hal’s ascent from being an outcast son to becoming King of England, resulting in mass conflict as the head of a nation. Though adapted from Shakespeare’s Henriad,The Kingexamines an important historical figure in his ascension, with the era of kings and queens being at its height.
Charlton Heston, Jack Hawkins, Stephen Boyd
Famed for being the most expensive movie of all time on release, thehistorical epicBen-Hurrevolutionized cinema, with the 20th-century film excelling in grandeur and sense of scale. Following the journey of Judah Ben-Hur, the Jewish prince is betrayed by his friend, resulting in Ben-Hur becoming a slave of the Romans.
However, the protagonist makes a remarkable return to get revenge on his former friend in the form of a chariot race. Exploring aspects of the Roman Empire, Ben-Hur’s trajectory throughout the nearly four-hour epic is captivating and heroic, with the movie certainly shaping and influencing theGladiatorfranchise.
Orlando Bloom, Liam Neeson, Eva Green
Another one of Scott’s most acclaimed movies isKingdom of Heaven, a war epic that loosely follows the events preceding the Third Crusade.Featuring a star-studded cast,Kingdom of Heavenfollows the knight Balian as he seeks to invoke peace in the Holy Land despite a raging war.
Filled with epic battle sequences and riveting political rivalries, Crusader warfare takes center stage at the heart of the narrative despite having many inaccurate depictions.Kingdom of Heavenproves entertaining for audiences seeking thrilling action based loosely on one of history’s most discussed conflicts.
Matt Damon, Adam Driver, Ben Affleck, Jodie Comer
One of the more underrated historical movies of recent years isThe Last Duel, a medieval dramataking place in France. The narrative centers on two established knights who become intense rivals after a scathing accusation from one of the knight’s wives. Such a bombshell eventually leads to the pair engaging in a dramatic rift, resulting in a duel to the death.
Set in 14th-century France,The Last Duelexamines an underexplored part of history. However, legendary director Ridley Scott and his impressive cast manage to create a thrilling drama that brings themes of violence and conflict of the time to the movie’s forefront.
