davidh's - Top 10 - Historical Epics List

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Ridley Scott's extended cut of an epic adventure about a common man who finds himself thrust into a decades-long war. Orlando Bloom plays a humble blacksmith who discovers that he is the son of a knght,and travels to the Holy Land to fight in the crusades.

A stranger in a strange land,he serves a doomed King,falls in love with an exotic and forbidden Queen,and rises to knighthood. Ultimately,he must protect the people of Jerusalem from overwhelming forces,while striving to keep a fragile peace.

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When "Lucky" Jack Aubrey's (Russell Crowe) ship is suddenly attacked by a superior enemy, despite heavy damage to the ship and much of his crew injured. Aubrey sets sail in a high-stakes exhilarating chase to intercept and capture their foe.

It's a mission that can decide the fate of a nation - or destroy him and his crew.

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Academy Award-winning director Oliver Stone presents a breathtaking new cut of his sweeping epic film Alexander, the true story of the world's greatest warrior.

Using footage never seen and dramatically reshaping dozens of scenes, he brings to life the overpowering forces and fierce personalities that forever changed history. Driven by a craving for his father's (Val Kilmer) love and the brutal ambition of his mother (Angelina Jolie), Alexander (Colin Farrell) faced massive armies in Persia, Afghanistan and India and was never defeated.

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Zulu is one of the great movies, an epic adventure of courage in the face of incredible odds. Based on a true story it tells the amazing tale of 100 British soldiers who stood fast against an overwhelming force of 4000 of the Zulu nation's mightiest warriors in the defence of Rorkes Drift in 1879.

Set amongst the stunning South African scenery, Zulu is a landmark action film and a fitting tribute to some of the most magnificent acts of heroism in the history of warfare. Michael Caine's role as the arrogant but courageous Lt. Bromhead brought him international fame, and there are powerful performances from other great British actors including Stanley Baker and Jack Hawkins.

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One June day in 1815, two titans of war, Napoleon (Rod Steiger) and Wellington (Christopher Plummer), faced each other in one of history's greatest clash of arms.

Amid the roar of cannon, the thunder of horses and the rattle of muskets, 140,000 men fought over a bloody field in Belgium at a place called - Waterloo.

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Akira Kurosawa's acclaimed study of power, revenge and retribution is set against the magnificent backdrop of feudal warfare in sixteenth century Japan.

Transposing the events of Shakespeare's King Lear to the blood-thirsty 'Period of Warring States', 'Ran' tells the story of a bitter power struggle within the family of Warlord Hidetora Ichimonji (Tatsuya Nakadai). After fifty years of ruthless slaughter Hidetora divides his kingdom among his sons, seeking peaceful retirement. However, as his life descends into chaos, he is unable to escape the corruption within his family and the torment within his soul.

Pom Cruise plays Civil War hero Capt. Nathan Algren, who comes to Japan to fight the Samurai and ends up pledging himself to their cause. Ken Watanabc plays Katsumoto, a Samurai leader facing a vanishing way of life, whose destiny becomes intertwined with that of the American captain.

Forced into slavery by the corrupt, incestuous heir to be throne, Roman general Maximus (Russell Crowe) becomes a gladiator. His prowess in the arena will eventually lead him to Rome, the Colosseum and a vengeful showdown with the new emperor.

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Skilfully interweaving intimate drama with some of the most breathtaking battle scenes ever brought to the screen, the film relays the triumphs, tragedies and romances that affect the lives of two aristocratic families at the time of Napoleon's tumultuous invasion of Russia.

Years in the making, with over 35,000 costumes and an astonishing 120,000 extras, 'War and Peace' - is a filmmaking Spectacle on a truly unrivalled scale.

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Discover the untold story of the man behind the legend as Robin (Russell Crowe), a heroic warrior, turns outlaw when he assembles a band of skilled marauders to confront injustice and lead an uprising against a weak and corrupt English King.

When the rebellious hero falls for the spirited Lady Marion (Cate Blanchett), he must first save her village and then confront a growing storm of threats from near and afar if he is to win her heart. As Robin and his men answer a call to ever-greater adventure, these unlikely heroes set off to battle for their country and return England to glory...and ride into Legend.