Historical epics were an important part of the rise and fall of Hollywood’s Golden Age, and the best examples of the genre have stood the test of time. Bringing the past to life on the big screen is no easy feat, and the Hollywood historical epic uses the grandeur of cinema to offer a larger-than-life vision of days gone by.
Made with mᴀssive budgets, historical epics typically employ rich costuming and set design, and they represent cinematic spectacle at its finest. Even if they aren’t accurate to the true stories they adapt, epics have a way of drawing in audiences because they promise the best of what movies have to offer.
It was successful historical epics that started Hollywood’s Golden Age (1920s-1960s), and it was failed epics that caused its demise. Historical epics walk a razor’s edge with their huge budgets, and some of the best of the Golden Age were blockbusters, while others tanked. Nevertheless, a good epic is something that only the art of cinema can provide.
The Robe (1953)
Biblical epics were all the rage at the height of the Golden Age, and The Robe is often overlooked among other classics. Not based on any particular story, the film is set after the crucifixion of Jesus, and is a character drama of epic proportions. One of the shorter epics, The Robe only tops out at 135 minutes.
A sequel to The Robe, Demetrius and the Gladiators, was released in 1954.
Modern reviews are particularly poor, but it was well-regarded upon release. The beautiful technicolor pH๏τography splashes across the screen, and Richard Burton gives a grounded performance in a genre known for its exaggeration. It’s not as flashy as some of its contemporaries, but is certainly a worthwhile addition to the genre.
Cleopatra (1963)
No film better represents the largesse of the late Hollywood Golden Age than Cleopatra, and the historical epic almost put its studio out of business. Elizabeth Taylor stars as the тιтular queen, and the film explores the various machinations of Rome in Egypt. On a smaller level, it also examines the love life of Cleopatra herself.
The opulence and grand scale of the movie is breathtaking, and it does an excellent job of making sure the characters aren’t lost in all the spectacle. At a whopping four hours, Cleopatra is one of the longest movies ever released theatrically, and was the most expensive of its day. It lost millions despite being a box office smash.
Doctor Zhivago (1965)
Released in the dying days of Hollywood’s Golden Age, Doctor Zhivago was one of the last great spectacle films before the studio system collapsed. David Lean’s deft direction helped to bring the beloved epic love story to life on the big screen, and the Russian Civil War served as the backdrop for the drama played out between the characters.
Doctor Zhivago was a box office smash, and is still one of the highest-grossing movies ever when adjusted for inflation. The film has everything that a historical epic should, including a dash of history and a lot of rich emotion to give the story life. Love stories aren’t unusual, but none have had the grand scale of the MGM gem.
Quo Vadis (1951)
Part history and part biblical, Quo Vadis is an excellent example of the epic that is sadly overshadowed by more famous examples of the genre. Set during the reign of Emperor Nero in Ancient Rome, Quo Vadis puts a human face on the infamous persecution of Christians during that era.
Intentionally scandalous and somewhat Sєxy (for its time), the epic condenses a lot of history into a brisk 171 minutes, and yet it is more accurate than others. Peter Ustinov’s portrayal of the evil Nero is done with a humorous darkness, and the movie toes the line between exaggeration and reality in a way that’s endlessly entertaining.
The Ten Commandments (1956)
The Ten Commandments was Cecil B. DeMille’s final film as director, and the man behind the rise of the historical epic went out with a bang. As the тιтle suggests, the film expands upon the story as told in Exodus, and follows Moses, played by Charlton Heston in one of his many historical roles.
Biblical epics were known for their scale, but The Ten Commandments put all the rest to shame. What’s more, the visual effects were groundbreaking for the time, and still look terrific for a movie approaching 70-years-old. What isn’t lost in all the biblical storytelling is great cinema, and The Ten Commandments can be enjoyed by any viewer of any faith.
Ben-Hur (1959)
Though there were plenty of historical epics released after Ben-Hur, it’s safe to say that the 1959 classic is where the genre truly peaked during the Golden Age of Hollywood. One man’s struggle for freedom is the thrust of a story that encompᴀsses Ancient Roman history and biblical tales as well.
Ben-Hur brilliantly contrasts the mᴀssive scale of history with the journey of the тιтle character, and it cleverly interweaves major events in the background of Judah’s life. While it has so much more to offer, the spectacular chariot race scene is one of cinema’s greatest achievements, and continues to inspire the action genre to this day.
How The West Was Won (1962)
Historical epics and westerns were two of the most popular genres of Hollywood’s Golden Age, and How the West Was Won was where the two met. The sweeping plot follows the fictional Prescott family across several decades as various generations live through important historical eras. It all adds up to a comprehensive history of the taming of the American West.
How the West Was Won was one of only a few movies sH๏τ in three-strip Cinerama, and was originally shown on oversized, curved screens.
How the West Was Won features the most star-studded cast of the Golden Age, and the movie’s various chapters are helmed by some of its greatest directors. Though it is guilty of sugar-coating some of the darker elements of the past, it’s still a compelling epic that also serves as a strong primer for the western genre too.
Gone With The Wind (1939)
Gone with the Wind has aged poorly, but it still stands as one of the most important movies ever. It concerns spit-fire Southern belle, Scarlett O’Hara, and follows her through the ups and downs of her life during and after the Civil War. Along with The Wizard of Oz, Gone with the Wind marked a major shift in Hollywood filmmaking.
Beloved for its grand sets and gorgeous color pH๏τography, it also has humorous and compelling characters that are deeper than the typical Old Hollywood fare. Beneath all the spectacle is a wonderful love story, and that truly is the biggest takeaway from the 1939 classic. Though problematic, Gone with the Wind earns its praise nearly 90 years later.
Spartacus (1960)
Director Stanley Kubrick was known almost exclusively for his subversive cinema, but Spartacus proved he could deliver a mainstream hit as well. Starring Kirk Douglas in perhaps his greatest role, the epic tale concerns a slave rebellion in Ancient Rome, and their triumphant march through Italy. Action scenes abound, and Spartacus effectively uses every moment of its three-hour running time.
Historical epics from Hollywood’s Golden Age are notable for their sincerity, but there is a touch of irony in Spartacus. The characters feel more human and less rigid than in other epics, and it is driven by emotion and not spectacle alone. Spartacus makes subtle commentary about the modern day, something not found in most historical films of any era.
Lawrence Of Arabia (1962)
Lawrence of Arabia isn’t just one of the best historical epics of all time, it’s far and away one of the greatest films of all time too. Starring Peter O’Toole in the тιтle role, the film is director David Lean’s iconic vision of the real story of T.E. Lawrence, and it incorporates all the things that make movies so wonderful.
Acting as a bridge between the Golden Age and what came after, Lawrence of Arabia features a sweeping story that is anchored by a granular exploration of one man. Lawrence is a complex and conflicted hero, and the movie is far from idealized. Lawrence of Arabia is a historical epic through and through, but it transcends its genre as well.
