Epic Films That Explore The Ancient World
Since the dawn of the film industry, society has been kept entertained and educated through various epic films set in the ancient world. Check out the movies that open up a historic realm in front of you—some real, others fictionalized.
Samson And Delilah (1949)
The story depicts the biblical tale of Samson (Victor Mature), the hero of the Israelites, who meets Delilah (Hedy Lamarr), a Philistine woman. She charms him and betrays him after finding out his secret. This Cecil Blount DeMille was adapted from the biblical Book of Judges.
eBay listing, Wikimedia Commons
Cleopatra (1934)
In this retelling of the story of Cleopatra, the titular queen was played by Claudette Colbert. The film follows Cleopatra struggling to retain control of her kingdom as she simultaneously woos and manipulates her two Roman admirers, Julius Caesar (Warren William) and Marc Antony (Henry Wilcoxon).
Paramount studio, Wikimedia Commons
David And Bathsheba (1951)
Here comes another Biblical story of King David (Gregory Peck) having an affair with Bathsheba (Susan Hayward), which menaces God’s favor upon him and his throne in Israel. Moreover, the film depicts his confrontation with Goliath of Gath, played by (a 6-foot-8-inch-tall Lithuanian wrestler, Walter Talun).
20th Century Fox, Wikimedia Commons
The Egyptian (1954)
Set in 18th-dynasty Egypt, the film follows a destitute orphan named Sinuhe (Edmund Purdom) who saves the pharaoh's life and becomes a royal healer. Based on the novel by Mika Waltari, the screenplay almost starred Marlon Brando, who quit after one rehearsal.
20th Century Fox, Wikimedia Commons
Land Of The Pharaohs (1955)
This American epic, which Howard Hawks directed, tells a fictitious account of the building of the Great Pyramid in ancient Egypt and centers on Pharaoh Khufu and his second wife, Nellifer (Jack Hawks and Joan Collins, respectively). Reportedly, 11,500 people were cast in the movie.
Unknown (Warner Bros.), Wikimedia Commons
Alexander The Great (1956)
In his historical drama, Robert Rossen narrates the tale of Alexander the Great (Richard Burton), the Macedonian king and general who united the Greek tribes to overthrow the Persian Empire and take over vast territories. Initially, Charlton Heston was sought for starring in the film, but he turned down the offer.
Popular Library Inc., United Artists, Wikimedia Commons
Ben-Hur (1959)
The movie is set in ancient Jerusalem and shows how Ben-Hur gets forced into slavery by a former friend who became a Roman tribune. After surviving the ordeal, he develops a desire for vengeance. The movie set a new record with 11 Academy Awards, including Best Picture.
Touring Club Italiano, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Spartacus (1960)
This movie, which is based on Howard Fast's novel of the same name, tells the story of Thracian Spartacus, who rallied his fellow slaves to revolt and the Third Servile War. The picture starred Kirk Douglas in the title role.
I'm Spartacus - Spartacus (8/10) Movie CLIP (1960) HD by Movieclips
The Ten Commandments (1956)
This epic film dramatizes the biblical account of Moses (Charlton Heston), who is adopted into Egyptian aristocracy and subsequently learns of his Jewish heritage and his obligation to God. It is based on three distinct novels and the Book of Exodus.
trailer screenshot (Paramount Pictures), Wikimedia Commons
Barabbas (1961)
The religious movie focuses on the thief who was spared from crucifixion instead of Jesus Christ. Following Barabbas’s (Anthony Quinn) escape, the narrative chronicles his return to criminal activity and subsequent incarceration, which ultimately brings him to the gladiatorial arena, where he must fight for his freedom.
Barrabás (1961) by Jorge Montesinos
The Colossus Of Rhodes (1961)
This Italian film, set in the late third century on the island of Rhodes, is a fictional drama about a vacationing military hero who is caught up in two different conspiracies to topple a tyrannical ruler. It was Spaghetti Western director Sergio Leone’s first directing credit.
Atlantis: The Lost Continent (1961)
This movie, which is set in ancient Greece, tells the story of the incidents that led to the fall of the fictional continent of Atlantis. The monarch is being manipulated by a malevolent magician who enslaves all Atlanteans.
Jason And The Argonauts (1963)
Jason (Todd Armstrong), an adventurer and sailor from ancient Greece, returns to his home of Thessaly to take the kingdom that is rightfully his. However, upon his arrival, he discovers that he must set out on a quest to find the enchanted Golden Fleece.
Columbia Pictures, Wikimedia Commons
The Fall Of The Roman Empire (1964)
This movie, which is only partially based on actual events, tells the narrative of the tense relationship between Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius (Alec Guinness) and his son Commodus (Christopher Plummer), which ultimately caused the Barbarians to overthrow the Roman Empire.
Fall of the Roman Empire 1964 Trailer by Screenbound Pictures
The Trojan Women (1971)
This film, which is based on one of the three plays by the ancient Greek tragedian Euripides, explores the agony caused by the Trojan War; specifically, it follows Queen Hecuba (Katharine Hepburn) and other Troyan women after their city was destroyed.
The Trojan Women (1971) Trailer by DionysusCinema
History Of The World: Part I (1981)
Director Mel Brooks applies his wonderful brand of comedy to some of the most significant historical periods through an analysis of four distinct historical periods: The Stone Age, the Roman Empire, the Spanish Inquisition, and the French Revolution.
History of the World: Part I (1981) Original Trailer [FHD] by HD Retro Trailers
Conan The Barbarian (1982)
Set in the prehistoric Hyborian Age, Arnold Schwarzenegger plays Conan, a young barbarian fighter who is orphaned and sold into slavery. Conan sets out to find the necromancer who destroyed his village as he grows up. The role was Schwarzenegger's breakthrough performance.
CONAN THE BARBARIAN Clip - Crush Your Enemies (1982) Arnold Schwarzenegger by JoBlo Movie Clips
Conan The Destroyer (1984)
In this follow-up, Arnold Schwarzenegger reprises his role as the title barbarian, who is tricked into working for a corrupt queen and is tasked with defending the stunning Princess Jehnna. The sequel ultimately made more money than its predecessor.
CONAN THE DESTROYER Clip - No Rulers (1984) Arnold Schwarzenegger by JoBlo Movie Clips
Clash Of The Titans (1981)
This film, which is partially based on Greek myth, centers on Perseus (Harry Hamlin), Zeus's son (Laurence Olivier), who is destined to wed the stunning Andromeda (Judi Bowker). But first, he has to free her from a curse that has imprisoned her, fighting numerous monsters in the process.
Clash of the Titans (1981) - Bubo the Owl Scene (4/10) | Movieclips by Movieclips
King David (1985)
In this biblical epic, Richard Gere plays David, the king of ancient Israel, who begins his life as a shepherd and rises to nobility through cleverness and divine guidance. He is not regarded by the Israelites as capable of ruling them. However, their perspective shifts after his encounter with Goliath.
Richard Gere; king david by aleks24100
The Last Temptation Of Christ (1988)
This film, which is based on Nikos Kazantzakis's 1955 novel of the same name, shows Jesus Christ's internal conflicts as he grows from a poor carpenter to realizing his role as God's son and acting against the Roman occupiers.
The Last Temptation of Christ (1988) - Pontius Pilate Scene (5/10) | Movieclips by Movieclips
Gladiator (2000)
Following the death of Emperor Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris), the Roman Empire descends into anarchy as his evil son Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix) takes the throne and plots the assassination of Maximus (Russell Crowe), the emperor's commander and loyal advisor.
My Name Is Maximus | Gladiator (2000) | Screen Bites by Screen Bites
The Scorpion King (2002)
Peasant Mathayust is entrusted with bringing revenge on a wicked monarch and a sorceress who are out to wreak havoc on the local tribes in Egypt before the pyramids. Starring Dwayne Douglas Johnson as his character from The Mummy Returns, the movie is a spin-off of the The Mummy franchise.
The Scorpion King | Abducting the Sorceress in 4K HDR by Universal Pictures
Hero (2002)
In ancient China, a combatant presented himself before King Qin, asserting that he had defeated the three infamous assassins who sought the king's life. Intrigued, the king grants him the opportunity to share his tale. Debuted in Asia in 2002, the studio delayed its US release by two years.
Hero | Official Trailer (HD) - Jet Li, Donnie Yen, Maggie Cheung | MIRAMAX by Miramax
Alexander (2004)
This movie, which is based on the life of Alexander the Great, chronicles the development of the Macedonian general's empire and its eventual fall, from his early years to his relentless conquest. The film starred Colin Farrell as the lead character and was a box office bust.
Alexander (2004)- Horse riding scene by Best Scenes
Apocalypto (2006)
An invading troop captures a friendly tribesman, and his hamlet as Mayan civilization starts to deteriorate. The tribesman must figure out a method to get away with his pregnant wife and child from a ritual sacrifice that is planned in a huge, decaying Mayan city.
Apocalypto (2006)______Best Movie Scene [1080p]. by CUT CORNER
Troy (2004)
This epic movie, which is based on Homer’s Iliad, shortens the decades-long fight in the book into a few weeks by showing the battle between Troy and Sparta. It stars Brad Pitt, Diane Kruger, Eric Bana, Orlando Bloom, Brian Cox, and Sean Bean.
Troy (Achilles Vs Boagrius) 4K by KAABA
300 (2006)
Inspired by Frank Miller's graphic novel, 300 offers a stylized recount of the Battle of Thermopylae in 480 BC, where the vastly outnumbered Spartan army, led by King Leonidas (portrayed by Gerard Butler), faces off against the Persian forces.
300 (2006) - This Is Sparta! Scene (1/5) | Movieclips by Movieclips
Red Cliff (2008)
This Chinese conflict epic portrays the Battle of Red Cliffs, which took place at the end of the Han dynasty, just before the rise of the Three Kingdoms period. Prime Minister Cao Cao persuaded Emperor Han that unifying China required waging battle against the allied Western and Southern kingdoms.
Red Cliff (2008) Official HD Trailer [1080p] by DeFilmBlog
10,000 BC (2008)
This movie, set in the prehistoric past, centers on a group of mammoth hunters and follows one young man as he ventures into unexplored terrain to preserve his community. The CGI representations of wooly mammoths were based on elephants and ancient mammoth remains.
10,000 BC | The Hunt for The Mammoth | ClipZone: High Octane Hits by ClipZone: High Octane Hits
Confucius (2010)
This bio-drama explores the life of the Chinese philosopher of the same name. It is set in 500 BC when Confucius (Chow Yun-fat) was a respected commoner who later became the Minister of Law in the Kingdom of Lu and led the army against the threat of destruction.
Confucius - Official Cine Asia Trailer by CineAsiaWorld
Agora (2009)
Hypatia (Rachel Weisz), a mathematician, astronomer, and philosopher in late fourth-century Roman Egypt, is the subject of this movie. Rachel Weisz's character Hypatia battles the social turbulence and chaos in her country as well as the overtures of several men, including her own slave, who she’s in love with.
Agora (2009) - Official Trailer by thecultbox
Red Cliff II (2009)
The ongoing Battle of Red Cliff is shown in the second segment of John Woo's four-hour historical drama. Survival is doubtful because Prime Minister Cao Cao's armies vastly outnumber them, and the improbable coalition between the west and south kingdoms is disintegrating.
Red Cliff 2 (2009) - Trailer by Lubokvideo Trailer
Centurion (2010)
This British movie, which is set in ancient Scotland, is partially inspired by the mythical disappearance of the Roman Ninth Legion in Caledonia. Quintus Dias ( Michael Fassbender) is a Roman officer rescued from his Pict captives and is now part of the Roman hunt for the Pict commander.
Centurion (2010) Official HD Trailer [1080p] by DeFilmBlog
Immortals (2011)
A Sibylline Oracle informs a mortal man named Theseus (Henry Cavill) that he is the only one capable of defeating the vicious King Hyperion (Mickey Rourke), whose merciless army rages over ancient Greece in pursuit of the missing Epirus Bow.
Immortals (2011) Amazing New Trailer #3 - HD Movie by Rotten Tomatoes Trailers
Wrath Of The Titans (2012)
Ten years after Perseus (Sam Worthington) defeats the feared Kraken, the son of Zeus (Liam Neeson) tries to lead a tranquil life as a fisherman in this follow-up to 2010's Clash of the Titans. The gods of Mount Olympus are losing their hold on the Titans, and humanity's allegiance to them has diminished.
Wrath of the Titans - Official Trailer #1 (HD) by Warner Bros. Pictures
The Eagle (2011)
Twenty years after his father's disappearance, the son of one of the legion's lost men travels from Rome to Scotland to recover the sacred eagle insignia that the legion once wore. This is a dramatization of the disappearance of the Roman Empire's Ninth Legion.
The Eagle Official Trailer #1 - (2011) HD by Movieclips
Exodus: Gods And Kings (2014)
Ridley Scott, the maker of Alien and Blade Runner, takes on the Book of Exodus and takes us through how Moses (played by Christian Bale) guides the 40,000 Hebrew captives out of Egypt and away from the Pharaoh Ramses (Joel Edgerton).
Exodus: Gods and Kings | Official Trailer [HD] | 20th Century FOX by 20th Century Studios
Pompeii (2014)
As Mount Vesuvius explodes, Milo (Kit Harington), a former slave who is now a gladiator, finds himself in a race against time to save the love of his life from the lava and the Roman Senator to whom she is unwittingly engaged.
POMPEII - Official Trailer by Sony Pictures Entertainment
Noah (2014)
In Darren Aronofsky's retelling of the biblical tale about the great floods, Russell Crowe plays Noah, a man selected by God to construct a massive ark for himself, his family, and breeding pairs of all animals on the planet.
Noah Official Trailer #1 (2014) - Russell Crowe, Emma Watson Movie HD by Rotten Tomatoes Trailers
300: Rise Of An Empire (2014)
This sequel's events unfold before, during, and after those of the original film. Greek general Themistocles (Sullivan Stapleton) must rally Greece to defend its people against Persia's forces, led by the fierce commander Artemisia (Eva Green) and the god-king Xerxes (Rodrigo Santoro).
300: Rise of an Empire - Official Trailer 2 [HD] by Warner Bros. Pictures
Hercules (1997)
Young Hercules soon learns that Hades, the deity of the underworld, kidnapped him as a baby and forced him to live on Earth as a half-god, half-man among mortals. Following his father Zeus's advice, Hercules must complete rites of passage to demonstrate his merit for joining his kind on Mount Olympus.
Hercules (1997) - Hercules Saves Megara [UHD] by Paolo Maggiorelli
The Prince Of Egypt (1998)
This DreamWorks animated adaptation of the Book of Exodus centers on the story of Egyptian Prince Moses, who sets out to liberate the Israelites from Egyptian domination after learning that he was born a Jewish slave. He just could not watch as they suffer, but save them following God’s guidance.
The Prince of Egypt (1998) - Final Scene - 1080p by Max Canon
The Robe (1953)
The story follows Marcellus (Richard Burton), a tribune in the Roman military, who leads a group tasked with crucifying Jesus Christ. Following the execution, he is tormented by nightmares. Seeking answers, he begins a journey to learn more about the man he condemned.
