Blockbusters and the Ancient World - by Chris Davies (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Following the release of Ridley Scott's Gladiator in 2000 the ancient world epic has experienced a revival in studio and audience interest. Building on existing scholarship on the Cold War epics of the 1950s-60s, including Ben-Hur, Spartacus and The Robe, this original study explores the current cycle of ancient world epics in cinema within the social and political climate created by September 11th 2001. Examining films produced against the backdrop of the War on Terror and subsequent invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan, this book assesses the relationship between mainstream cinema and American society through depictions of the ancient world, conflict and faith. Davies explores how these films evoke depictions of the Second World War, the Vietnam War and the Western in portraying warfare in the ancient world, as well as discussing the influence of genre hybridisation, narration and reception theory. He questions the extent to which ancient world epics utilise allegory, analogy and allusion to parallel past and present in an industry often dictated by market forces. Featuring analysis of Alexander, Troy, 300, Centurion, The Eagle, The Passion of the Christ and more, this book offers new insight on the continued evolution of the ancient world epic in cinema.

Review Quotes

"Including several topical black-and-white photographs, extensive chapter end notes, and a comprehensive bibliography of literary and dramaturgical sources, this is a useful resource for scholars of literature and history as well as those interested in film." --CHOICE

"The book undoubtedly adds a set of valuable contributions to the scholarly literature on each piece; its real strength lies, however, in the way in which the author draws comparisons between these case studies while simultaneously situating the movies within their wider historical, political, and cultural contexts. Davies' introduction alone ... provides an excellent starting point for those new to thinking about ancient world films, and a comprehensive filmography of works referenced is a useful research tool." --Greece & Rome

About the Author

Chris Davies is an Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Exeter, UK, from where he graduated with a Ph.D in Film Studies. His research interests include history on film, especially the ancient world, combat films and westerns, as well as comic book, sci-fi and fantasy films.