The historical genre is one of the most sought-after in world cinema. Throughout the history of its existence, a huge number of films were created, affecting different eras. In recent years, you can find war films, films about the Middle Ages, as well as about much more ancient times. The latter option is the most difficult for directing, so it is far from easy to convey the atmosphere of that period of time. To create historical films, large-scale sets and costumes are used, thanks to which the director gets the opportunity to recreate the era as accurately as possible. Often an important role in films of this genre is played by large-scale battles and battles, which are used to create extras, the number of which can reach up to several thousand people. Especially for you, we have collected the best films about ancient times. We touched on both foreign and domestic works.
"Spartacus"
So, what films about ancient times (historical) are recommended for viewing? Let's talk about one of the main masterpieces of the great American filmmaker Stanley Kubrick, who managed to work in many genres during his career. “Spartacus” filmed with an unprecedented hitherto scope. A huge amount of money was invested in the creation of films. As a result, we got one of the best historical dramas. The events of the film unfold in the days of Ancient Rome. In the center of the plot is a man named Spartak, who had a far from simple fate. He is a slave, forced from morning till night to work under the rays of the scorching sun. Thanks to his physical preparation and thirst for freedom, he was able to pass many serious tests on his way. As a result, he was seen by people organizing gladiatorial battles. Their essence lies in the battle between two warriors. The winner is the one who kills his opponent. All this is done for the amusement of a wealthy public. Can Spartak go through all the trials in its path? What is most striking about this movie is the setting of fights. Despite the fact that the film is already half a century old, it still looks exciting. The final battle scene with the participation of the army of many thousands is also impressive.
Ben Gur
This, of course, is not about the recent remake shot by our compatriot Timur Bekmambetov, but about the original movie, released in the world for many decades ago. The film earned as many as 11 Oscars and in a few years gained the status of a classic. And even now, this film is able to amaze the viewer with its production. The plot focuses on two young men who were best friends a few years ago. But in the end, fate parted them. And now, after so much time, they were forced to meet again. But now they are on opposite sides of the barricades. The main character has to do everything possible to save loved ones and regain freedom. It will be catastrophically difficult to do. Despite the impressive length of three and a half hours, the film "Ben-Hur" is watched in one breath and does not get bored while watching.
"Gladiator"
"Gladiator" is a very worthy historical feature film about ancient times. This is another famous story about gladiatorial battles, which has long become a classic of modern cinema. The director was the notorious Ridley Scott. He managed to shoot one of his main masterpieces in his career and impress the audience with a brilliant production of battle scenes. In the center of the plot is a warrior named Maximus, who spent many years away from home, fighting for his people. And now, when the war finally ended, he got the opportunity to return home, where his beloved wife and children are waiting for him. But on arrival, he was faced with brutal injustice. His relatives are killed, and Maximus himself is enslaved. They make a gladiator out of him - a man forced to kill other warriors in the arena. Will he be able to find freedom and punish those who broke his life?
"Brave Heart"
In the era of video cassettes, this film has gained unprecedented popularity in our country. Mel Gibson was able to make an incredibly colorful and dramatic film that forever changed the cinema. Despite some historical inaccuracy, everything looks quite believable. Events unfold in Scotland. In those days, this people experienced far from the best period of its history. The British did everything possible to turn the life of the Scots into real hell. But everything changed with the advent of a brave man, capable of raising an uprising. And, despite the numerical superiority of the British, the Scottish people will fight for their freedom to the last drop of blood ...
"Alexander Nevskiy"
Feature films about ancient times were also shot by Russian cinema. Sergei Eisenstein is a man who has had a tremendous impact not only on Soviet, but on the entire world cinema as a whole. He has shot several great masterpieces, which to this day occupy high positions in various tops of the most significant and outstanding films of all time. "Alexander Nevsky" is an epic work that tells of a brave warrior who led his people to victory over invaders who tried to capture our territory. It’s hard to believe that this film was released over seventy years ago. Perhaps without this movie our cinema would have gone a completely different way.
"Andrei Rublev"
Films about the history of Russia since ancient times are popular among domestic viewers. "Andrei Rublev" is the most scandalous, but at the same time innovative film by Andrei Tarkovsky. The film touches upon the era of constant strife and the subsequent Tatar-Mongol yoke. In the center of the plot is the famous painter Andrei Rublev, who is in search of himself and the meaning of life, watching all the horror that is happening in Russia. There are several scenes in the movie, because of which the film was banned for many years in the USSR. But abroad, as was often the case in those years, Tarkovsky’s film suddenly became a hit. Unfortunately, in our country the work of this person is still somewhat underestimated.
Viking
This film has become the most expensive in Russian history. Resources were created for its creation, which many other countries could envy. As a result, we got an extraordinary epic saga about Prince Vladimir. The director decided to show us the story of how Russia became Christian. The baptism of Russia was preceded by a considerable number of bloody battles and events, which led Vladimir to such a decision. You are waiting for a large-scale and rather bloody film in which those ancient times are shown without embellishment.
"Odysseus"
The Hollywood masterpiece of one of the best Russian directors - Andrei Konchelovsky. He is one of the few people who have worked in America and achieved tremendous success there. He created several large and successful films worldwide. But the main masterpiece of that period of his work without a doubt can be called "Odyssey." In the center of the plot is the famous hero of ancient Greek myths, who had to go an incredible way before returning to his homeland after another battle. On his way, he will meet many obstacles that will forever change his usual outlook on life.
"13 warrior"
What other films about ancient times are worthy of attention? Fiction, fantasy, adventure. Everything is present in this interesting action movie. The main character is a quite successful poet who leads a carefree life in the civilized East. But one oversight leads to serious consequences. As a punishment, he is expelled to the North, where people still live by wild laws. As a result, he finds himself in a Viking society, which every day participate in bloody battles and do not part with his sword. The main character will have to stand on their side to protect the village from an unknown and powerful evil looming from outside ...
"Rome"
One of the most expensive and popular TV shows of the last ten years. Events unfold several decades before the advent of our era. The plot is centered on the great Roman conqueror Julius Caesar, who went through many battles before being able to make Rome a great empire. But in the Senate, not everyone considers him a man worthy to take the throne. They conceive a gamble that can forever change the course of history ...
Vikings
Perhaps the best historical series to date, in which the directors managed to convey the atmosphere of those ancient times, when the Vikings began to conquer the land and expand their possessions. They were fearless warriors who were ready to give their lives for their cause. In the center of the plot of the series "Vikings" is one of the greatest warriors of its time, who will be waiting for truly incredible events ...
Instead of an afterword
Of course, these are not all historical films and series about ancient times. There are still many worthy historical opuses that definitely deserve the attention of the audience. But it is precisely these works, in our opinion, that stand apart, and played a crucial role in the formation of the genre. So we recommend to view all of the above.