2008 Woodie Awards
Ancient history on the screen
A view on swords and sandals films
Andrew Madsen
Issue date: 4/12/07 Section: A&E
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Widely known for buff leading actors, lengthy running times, lavish costumes and old school special effects, sword and sandals movies have been around since the early days of film. Their heyday was in the 1950s, and while they faded out in the 1970s such epics resurfaced in modern takes on the genre by directors like Ridley Scott, and most recently with "300." (Source: Epic Films).
One of the most famous epics of all time, "The Ten Commandments" (1956) has been shown countless times on ABC around Easter. Directed by the legendary film maker Cecil B. DeMille, it was made in 1956 and stared Charlton Heston, Yul Brynner, Anne Baxter, Vincent Price and Edward G. Robinson. The movie itself told the story of Moses and how he freed the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, and is most widely known for its famous special effects to depict the plagues that struck Egypt and the parting of the Red Sea.
Three years after "The Ten Commandments," William Wyler brought what is considered to be the greatest swords and sandals epic ever to the big screen in "Ben Hur." Telling the tale of Judah Ben-Hur and his quest for revenge against those who betray him, the movie starred Charlton Heston as Hur and won 11 Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Actor for Heston.
At the genre's peak in the 1960s, which also saw the failure of "Cleopatra" and the cheesy "Hercules" movies negatively impact the genre, the 1965 film "The Greatest Story Ever Told" was made by George Stevens. Featuring an all-star cast including Max Von Sydow as Jesus and Charlton Heston as John the Baptist and actors such as John Wayne and Angela Landsbury in smaller roles. The movie covered the life and death of Jesus, it was one of the last swords and sandals epics made in the 1960s.
After the 1980s revitalized swords and sandals epics, Ridley Scott offered his own take on the genre with "Gladiator," which won Best Picture in 2000. Staring Russell Crowe as Maximus, the film was highly popular and helped to re-energize the genre, which has seen a new slew of movies being made such as "Troy," "Kingdom of Heaven" and "300."
One of the most famous epics of all time, "The Ten Commandments" (1956) has been shown countless times on ABC around Easter. Directed by the legendary film maker Cecil B. DeMille, it was made in 1956 and stared Charlton Heston, Yul Brynner, Anne Baxter, Vincent Price and Edward G. Robinson. The movie itself told the story of Moses and how he freed the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, and is most widely known for its famous special effects to depict the plagues that struck Egypt and the parting of the Red Sea.
Three years after "The Ten Commandments," William Wyler brought what is considered to be the greatest swords and sandals epic ever to the big screen in "Ben Hur." Telling the tale of Judah Ben-Hur and his quest for revenge against those who betray him, the movie starred Charlton Heston as Hur and won 11 Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Actor for Heston.
At the genre's peak in the 1960s, which also saw the failure of "Cleopatra" and the cheesy "Hercules" movies negatively impact the genre, the 1965 film "The Greatest Story Ever Told" was made by George Stevens. Featuring an all-star cast including Max Von Sydow as Jesus and Charlton Heston as John the Baptist and actors such as John Wayne and Angela Landsbury in smaller roles. The movie covered the life and death of Jesus, it was one of the last swords and sandals epics made in the 1960s.
After the 1980s revitalized swords and sandals epics, Ridley Scott offered his own take on the genre with "Gladiator," which won Best Picture in 2000. Staring Russell Crowe as Maximus, the film was highly popular and helped to re-energize the genre, which has seen a new slew of movies being made such as "Troy," "Kingdom of Heaven" and "300."
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