Hollywood's Ancient Worlds

Richards (cultural history, U. of Lancaster, UK) offers a critical history of the Ancient World epic in Hollywood--from 1916's Intolerance to 2005's Rome--of which he finds the roots in the painting and drama of nineteenth century America and Britain. The author also works with the idea that Ancient World epics are illustrative of the values of the period in which they were made, as in the case of 1950s depictions of the Roman Empire which carried echoes of modern dictatorships or the United Nations, depending on the ruler. Three chapters focus on the epics of the 50s and 60s as they treated Rome, the Bible, and Greece and Egypt, while newer epics such as Gladiator are discussed as part of what the author calls the "Ancient World revival." Annotation ©2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

A new, full analysis of the Ancient World epic and how this film genre continues to comment on modern-day issues.

Jeffrey Richards examines the cultural, social, economic and technological circumstances that dictated the rise and decline of each successive cycle of Ancient World epics, from the silent film era, to the golden age of the 1950s, right up to the present day (Gladiator, 300, Rome). Analysis reveals that historical films are always as much about the time in which they are made as they are about the time in which they are set. The ancient world is often used to deliver messages to the contemporary audience about the present: hostility to totalitarian regimes both Fascist and Communist, concern at the decline of Christianity, support for the new state of Israel, celebrations of equality and democracy, and concern about changing gender roles. The whole adds up to a fresh look at a body of films that people think they know, but about which they will learn a good deal more.