Rent Alexander the Great (1980)
3.8 of 5 from 55 ratings
3h 19min
- General info
- Available formats
- Synopsis:
- The most controversial film by Theo Angelopoulos tells the story of the Greek bandit Alexander (Omero Antonutti) at the turn of the twentieth century. Escaped from prison, he kidnaps a party of English aristocrats and demands as ransom that his band of anarchist socialists are granted amnesty and that landowners turn their property over to the local peasants. But when the group reaches its mountain stronghold, internal tensions arise which threaten to bring about disaster. Taking inspiration from ancient cultural myth and actual historical events, Angelopoulos' visually stunning film presents a challenging and complex portrait of a revolutionary leader.
- Actors:
- Omero Antonutti, Grigoris Evangelatos, Norman Mozzato, George Bartis, Eva Kotamanidou, Mihalis Giannatos, Miranda Kounelaki, Laura De Marchi, Toula Stathopoulou, Thanos Grammenos, Elpidoforos Gotsis, Haris Pisimisis, Giorgos Kovaios, Haralabos Timotheou, Stratos Pahis, H. Stamatelos, Christoforos Nezer, Fotis Papalabros, Francesco Carnelutti, Brizio Montinaro
- Directors:
- Theodoros Angelopoulos
- Producers:
- Nikos Angelopoulos, Theodoros Angelopoulos
- Writers:
- Theodoros Angelopoulos, Petros Markaris
- Aka:
- O Megalexandros
- Studio:
- Artificial Eye Film Company Ltd.
- Genres:
- Classics, Drama
- Countries:
- Greece
- Awards:
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Reviews (1) of Alexander the Great
A Slow March to Somewhere Great - Alexander the Great review by griggs
Right, so this one tested my patience — and weirdly, that's a compliment.
Theo Angelopoulos directed this, and it shows: every shot feels in no rush to get anywhere, which is either meditative or maddening depending on your mood that evening. Figures cross entire frames in silence, sometimes so far off I lost track of which one was Alexander and which was just an extra making their way to wardrobe. It's less battle epic, more slow-motion history lesson that occasionally remembers there's a story attached.
Every so often it snaps into focus — real ambition on screen, and a few images that lodged themselves in my brain well after the credits. I watched it alone, late, which felt like the right call; this isn't one for the sofa with snacks and small talk.
The pacing never eases off. Trim an hour and you'd lose nothing. Still, there's a good film buried in the slog, waiting to be dug out.
Long, slow, occasionally brilliant. Bring patience, not popcorn.
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