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Gladiator (2000)
Directed by Ridley Scott
Thrilling, action-packed epic starring Russell Crowe in the part that
won him an Oscar. Crowe plays Maximus, a Roman general turned slave, now
using his prowess in the Colosseum as a gladiator. Excellent computer-generated
visual effects transport viewers back to the Roman empire.
Titus (1999)
Directed by Julie Taymor
Adapted from Shakespeare's bloody tragedy Titus Andronicus by the
award-winning theatre director Julie Taymor. With a production design
that is part ancient Rome and part 20th-century chic, the grisly tale
centres on Anthony Hopkins' Titus and his quest for revenge.
The Life of Brian (1979)
Directed by Terry Jones
Irreverent satire of biblical films and religious intolerance focuses
on Brian, a Jew in Roman-occupied Judea. After joining an anti-Roman political
organisation, Brian is mistaken for a prophet, and becomes a reluctant
Messiah. The Python team at their best.
Carry On Cleo (1964)
Directed by Gerald Thomas
Hot on the heels of the Taylor/Burton drama Cleopatra (1963) comes
one of the 'funniest films since 54 BC'. Starring some of the best loved
of the Carry On team – Sid James, Kenneth Williams, Joan Sims
and Charles Hawtrey – this was another success for the beloved British
institution.
The Fall of the Roman Empire (1964)
Directed by Anthony Mann
This historically accurate sword-and-sandal epic traces the fortunes of
the Roman empire at the end of the 2nd century, with Commodus poisoning
his father Marcus Aurelius and allowing Rome to be ravaged by barbarians.
Like many others of its era, it boasted huge sets and enlisted the largest
number of extras for a Hollywood film.
Cleopatra (1963)
Directed by Joseph L Mankiewicz
An epic drama of power and betrayal following Cleopatra's seduction of
two of Rome's greatest soldiers, Julius Caesar and Mark Antony. The arrival
of Cleopatra in Rome is one of the most impressive entrances in screen
history. The film was widely publicised at the time for the off-screen
romance between the two leads, Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton.
Spartacus (1960)
Directed by Stanley Kubrick
A slave uprising in Roman Italy is led by the rebellious slave-turned-gladiator,
Spartacus, played by Kirk Douglas. What ensues includes some of the best
battle scenes ever filmed. The film won four Oscars.
Ben-Hur (1959)
Directed by William Wyler
One of the most honoured films of all times with an unprecedented 11 Oscars.
It follows the fortunes of a Jewish prince, played by Charlton Heston,
falsely accused of a crime and enslaved on a Roman galley ship. It is
particularly memorable for its famous chariot race.
Demetrius and the Gladiators (1954)
Directed by Delmer Daves
Starring Victor Mature in the title role, this is the story of faith lost
and regained as Demetrius is banished to the arena of the gladiators.
It is suitably awash in mammoth sets and fantastic costumes.
Julius Caesar (1953)
Directed by Joseph L Mankiewicz
Arguably the finest film version ever made of Shakespeare's play, which
remains faithful to its theatrical origins. Starring Marlon Brando as
Mark Antony, it uses sets left over from another MGM blockbuster, Quo
Vadis? (1951).
Quo Vadis? (1951)
Directed by Mervyn LeRoy
Emperor Nero, played by Peter Ustinov, takes centre stage in this big-budget
blockbuster. Most of the filming was done in Rome and a young Sophia Loren
can be spotted in some of the crowd scenes.
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