Greatest Epics
It's tough to get more bang for your buck than an epic movie. So when you're looking at movies that pride themselves on excess, what constitutes the best?
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1
Ben-Hur
The most famous and winningest sword and sandal epic ever won eleven Academy Awards (still a record) and stars Charlton Heston in the greatest chariot race ever filmed. 28 70
The most famous and winningest sword and sandal epic ever won eleven Academy Awards (still a record) and stars Charlton Heston in the greatest chariot race ever filmed. 28 70
2
Gladiator
Ridley Scott's paean to the Roman Empire thrilled audiences with its depiction of Russell Crowe in riveting action sequences in a gloriously recreated Rome. 25 83
Ridley Scott's paean to the Roman Empire thrilled audiences with its depiction of Russell Crowe in riveting action sequences in a gloriously recreated Rome. 25 83
3
Braveheart
Mel Gibson's ultra-macho hero became an instant inspiration with his ferocious battle cry ("Freedommmmm!!!") 24 78
Mel Gibson's ultra-macho hero became an instant inspiration with his ferocious battle cry ("Freedommmmm!!!") 24 78
4
Lawrence of Arabia
Distinguished by desert scenes photographed in widescreen, the movie presents Lawrence's larger-than-life story in just-as-grand dimensions. 20 56
Distinguished by desert scenes photographed in widescreen, the movie presents Lawrence's larger-than-life story in just-as-grand dimensions. 20 56
5
Gone With the Wind
Still the most financially successful film of all time (if figures are adjusted for inflation), the end result is nothing less than a cinematic earthquake. 20 64
Still the most financially successful film of all time (if figures are adjusted for inflation), the end result is nothing less than a cinematic earthquake. 20 64
6
Doctor Zhivago
The last of David Lean's signature war movies is arguably the swan song of the epic's heyday. 6 54
The last of David Lean's signature war movies is arguably the swan song of the epic's heyday. 6 54
7
Gandhi
Richard Attenborough's Oscar juggernaut not only made the story of India's non-violence champion into box office magic but also made Ben Kingsley, the actor who played him, into an international star. -7 51
Richard Attenborough's Oscar juggernaut not only made the story of India's non-violence champion into box office magic but also made Ben Kingsley, the actor who played him, into an international star. -7 51
8
The Last Emperor
Bernardo Bertolucci was literally given the keys to the Forbidden Kingdom by Chinese authorities when he set out to make his biography of Puyi, the last Chinese emperor before the Communist Revolution. -7 47
Bernardo Bertolucci was literally given the keys to the Forbidden Kingdom by Chinese authorities when he set out to make his biography of Puyi, the last Chinese emperor before the Communist Revolution. -7 47
9
The New World
A romance between John Smith and Pocahontas becomes something transcendent and otherworldly in Terrence Malick's understated if visually sumptuous ode to nature. -22 44
A romance between John Smith and Pocahontas becomes something transcendent and otherworldly in Terrence Malick's understated if visually sumptuous ode to nature. -22 44
10
Alexander
Oliver Stone goes further back in time for his history of the legendary conqueror. Once again courting controversy, the director stays frank about the leader's sexuality as he celebrates what made him the greatest of the Great. -34 56
Oliver Stone goes further back in time for his history of the legendary conqueror. Once again courting controversy, the director stays frank about the leader's sexuality as he celebrates what made him the greatest of the Great. -34 56
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