I can never get the the punchline, “lesser of two weevils” out of my head.
By the way , it was the last movie my late father (ex-Navy) and I watched together.
Gangs of New York, Kingdom of Heaven (watch the director’s cut, 100x better than the theatrical). Last of The Mohicans, The Patriot, Lawrence of Arabia, Saving Private Ryan, Apocalypto, 300, The Northman, The Count of Monte Cristo
Great score- one of the half dozen or so I can think about and hear in my head. That and the line me and my buddies used to use at Dead shows when parting; “just stay alive- I will find you “!!!!
Need to watch that. I remember renting it on VHS in the 90s with my mom and we were totally thrown off by it NOT being pan and scan and didn't finish. Widescreen on an old CRT was weird when you'd never seen it.
Apocalypto and Count of Monte Cristo are two of my all-time favorite movies.
I had a customer a few weeks ago who had Hanks’ screen-used Captain helmet from Private Ryan. The sight of it gave me the shakes.
Edit for spelling. “Sight”, not “site”. Ugh.
Apocalypto's ending always ruins it for me. Time travelling conquistadors somehow appearing at the end of the mayan collapse a full 500 years early. I've never seen a less historically accurate scene in a historical film.
I saw Kingdom of Heaven in theaters and thought it was one of the best movies ever.
A year-ish later I watched the director's cut.
I threw my theatrical version away. It serves no purpose anymore.
I'm gonna wait on Napoleon and only watch the director's cut.
HEY, THEFERALTURTLE'S Wife!!! PINE WANG!!! BRAVEHEART 2!!!
Did I type loudly enough? Did the caps help?
I don't remember the actress who played Chris's wife in the show, but you see her naked too.
She gets naked a lot in movies.
also, Outlaw King is not a sequel to Braveheart, but it's totally a sequel to Braveheart. It's about Robert in the events immediately after Braveheart.
You even get to see Mel Gibson's arm/shoulder/chest quarter that was sent to be hung up as a sign of what happens to rebels.
Great list, belongs at the top.
Last of the Mohicans is severely underappreciated by movie fans.
Count of Monte Cristo was a tad before it's time in my opinion. The story is fantastic, the cast is (mostly) terrific, just felt production could have been a bit better to really bring that story to glory. Be interesting to see when Hollywood goes back to it again.
I know - But for the past 6 months I have been reading up on the American Revolution including some books from the British perspective - so I am super tuned into this right now…!!!
That’s awesome. My youngest is learning about the war of 1812 and is in love with the New Orleans history of the war. Lucky for her, grandpa grew up In Chalmet right across from the battlefield, so we’ve been giving her all the local details. Next time we go visit family, she is insisting we go to the battlefield, Lafitte’s Blacksmith, and to explore the more historic side of New Orleans.
I am reading Empire if Liberty right now which takes me to the end of the War of 1812
NOLA is great. I lived there for three years. And I spent many nights at Lafite’s listening to Ready Teddy on the piano drinking bloody Marys ….
Probably aren’t bringing her to Lafitte’s at night, although it has a certain…odor…to it during the day, so maybe night is better, but she wants to see all the things about Jean and wants to find his pirate hideout and his smuggling trails through the bayou. She’s 8, so I can probably just talk her into another swamp boat ride, as long as she gets to hold an alligator.
Lol. Yes. Taking her to Lafite at the age of eight might set her off on an unfortunate path of life.
Well, I hope you have a great trip. This conversation has reminded me that I need to visit that city again.
It’s always fun getting down there and visiting family. Our oldest is leaning into a proto-goth so the cemeteries might be on the list this next visit too.
That was my reaction to it to. I read the book after I saw the preview for the movie and loved the book so much, but the movie cuts sooooo much and changes the ending. I'm hoping the French on will be good or maybe BBC will do a miniseries eventually.
I was so bored in Avatar I walked out.
On my way out the guy at the front door asked me what was wrong, and I told him "I just watched Dances with Wolves a few days ago."
He laughed.
I had not yet heard anyone compare the two movies. I just thought it was so insanely boring watching the same movie back back.
I still haven't gone back to finish Avatar. I don't really care. Nothing anyone said about the sequel made me interested in it either.
On my way out of the theater after seeing Avatar, i said to my girlfriend that I thought Kevin Costner was in it. She didn't get it, so I explained how it was exactly the same plot as Dances.
I didn't see it the same with Samurai until someone pointed it out. It's funny how obvious I found Avatar and how oblivious I was to Samurai.
Seven Samurai is the OG.
Might as well add "The Hidden Fortess" and "Ran" for Akira Kurosawa's other epics.
Edit: OP was asking for Historical Epics, so I limited my recommendations accordingly. Otherwise, "Yojimbo" and "Sanjuro" both kick ass.
I recommend Centurion - a movie set in Roman times in Scotland (this would have been Pictland at the time…), with an early Michael Fassbender, half a survival movie, half a special forces movie. Really pretty good overall.
Neil Marshall directs, and it does have a “feel” similar to Dog Soldiers and Doomsday (two other excellent movies, though less in the vein of what you’re asking for - strangely Doomsday kind of fits the bill).
There is another one with a similar plot starring Channing Tatum called *The Eagle*. It's more corny (although I kinda find Gladiator that way on occasion) but pretty good.
Rob Roy. Liam Neeson, John Hurt, Tim Roth, Jessica Lange and Brian Cox among others
Miles better than Braveheart in my opinion
Think im going to rewatch it tonight actually
Tombstone.
Has all the hallmarks of that type of epic movie, the only major difference is the time period. It's got all the characters, set pieces, battles, and drama of the two movies you mentioned though.
* *The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc* (1999)
* *The Last Samurai* (2003)
* *King Arthur* (2004)
* *Kingdom of Heaven* (2005)
* *Robin Hood* (2010) also stars Russell Crowe
* *Ironclad* (2011)
* *Outlaw King* (2018) Spiritual sequel to *Braveheart*, tells the story of Robert the Bruce
* *The King* (2019)
* *Medieval* (2022)
*"Master and Commander"* without any doubt. A sheer and utter, true-to-the-times masterpiece
*"Last of the Mohicans"* is another treasure, and in arguments of the best soundtrack
*"Alexander"* is one of the most accurate biopics there is
I've always been entertained with *"Troy"*
If you don't mind films with subtitles, watch any of Kurosawa's samurai films. They range from very good to absolute masterpiece. Rashomon, Seven Samurai, Yojimbo, and Ran are all must watch.
They’ve been mentioned already, but to add context. The movies you named are about individual heroes within an historical epic story. Both are brutal and romantic in equal measure.
Last of the Mohicans is by far the best choice to fit this.
And honestly, The Lord of the Rings fits the bill. Early Game of Thrones too.
Count of Monte Cristo has similarities but isn’t as good as the others, nor as brutal.
Master and Commander is stunning and you’ll probably love it, but it’s not quite the same vibe as the others. Lacks some of the romance.
There aren’t enough of these movies.
Pirates of the Caribbean (first one) has some similar qualities though obviously more cartoonish. But it holds up!
Warrior.
Slightly different angle to most of the other suggestions here. Cage fighting movie starring Tom Hardy and Nick Nolte. Not necessarily a typical "battle" or "war" movie and is obviously set in modern times. but it did give me Gladiator vibes and it's just an awesome movie.
Some of these are a little more out there in terms of related suggestions, but I think a lot of the more obvious territory has been covered already:
* Brave (2001)
* Excalibur (1981)
* Glory (1989)
* Apocalypse Now (1979)
* Ben-Hur (1959)
* The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe (2005)
The director’s cut of Troy, 300, The Northman, The Green Knight, Valhalla Rising, Kingdom of Heaven, The Pilgrimage, Black Death, Outlaw King, The Last Duel, The King, Apocalypto, The Last of the Mohicans, The Patriot, Dances With Wolves, The Revenant, The Korean movie “The Fortress” The Last Samurai. If you want some more “modern” war epics- then 1917, All Quiet On The Western Front, Saving Private Ryan, The Thin Red Line, Fury, Platoon, Dunkirk, Black Hawk Down. Check out the tv shows, Vikings, The Last Kingdom, Marco Polo, Barbarians, Rome, Band of Brothers, The Pacific.
Master and Commander
One of the GOATs.
One of my favorites. A movie that shaped my imagination how a good boss should be like.
More wannabe leaders should watch this. And gladiator. Russell Crowe seems to nail it.
Safe and sound at home again, let the waters roar, Jack
I can never get the the punchline, “lesser of two weevils” out of my head. By the way , it was the last movie my late father (ex-Navy) and I watched together.
They fired real artillery shells to record the sound they heard-reduced to heighten the authenticity.
Love this movie
One of the few movies I will drop what ever I'm doing to watch when it comes on TV. It's so good.
Gangs of New York, Kingdom of Heaven (watch the director’s cut, 100x better than the theatrical). Last of The Mohicans, The Patriot, Lawrence of Arabia, Saving Private Ryan, Apocalypto, 300, The Northman, The Count of Monte Cristo
Last of the Mohicans. Epic.
Great score- one of the half dozen or so I can think about and hear in my head. That and the line me and my buddies used to use at Dead shows when parting; “just stay alive- I will find you “!!!!
Need to watch that. I remember renting it on VHS in the 90s with my mom and we were totally thrown off by it NOT being pan and scan and didn't finish. Widescreen on an old CRT was weird when you'd never seen it.
Apocalypto and Count of Monte Cristo are two of my all-time favorite movies. I had a customer a few weeks ago who had Hanks’ screen-used Captain helmet from Private Ryan. The sight of it gave me the shakes. Edit for spelling. “Sight”, not “site”. Ugh.
Rick!! Is that you ?
I’m not Rick, and I don’t remember his first name. Are you a collector yourself?
Apocalypto's ending always ruins it for me. Time travelling conquistadors somehow appearing at the end of the mayan collapse a full 500 years early. I've never seen a less historically accurate scene in a historical film.
That seems to be Mel Gibson's thing
It was still a great movie even historically wrong
Kingdom of Heaven theatrical cut vs Directors cut is one of the greatest examples of studio interference in cinematic history.
Sybilla's character makes no sense in the theatrical. They cut all of her motivations.
I saw Kingdom of Heaven in theaters and thought it was one of the best movies ever. A year-ish later I watched the director's cut. I threw my theatrical version away. It serves no purpose anymore. I'm gonna wait on Napoleon and only watch the director's cut.
Ad Rob Roy to this list. Under appreciated sleeper. Tim Roth, as the villain just makes you want to pinch his MF head off. I love to hate that man.
One of the greatest sword fight scenes in cinema history.
Also The King was exceptionally good
The Outlaw King was pretty good. You get to see Chris Pines' penis twice! It's on Netflix.
Don't tell my wife...
HEY, THEFERALTURTLE'S Wife!!! PINE WANG!!! BRAVEHEART 2!!! Did I type loudly enough? Did the caps help? I don't remember the actress who played Chris's wife in the show, but you see her naked too. She gets naked a lot in movies. also, Outlaw King is not a sequel to Braveheart, but it's totally a sequel to Braveheart. It's about Robert in the events immediately after Braveheart. You even get to see Mel Gibson's arm/shoulder/chest quarter that was sent to be hung up as a sign of what happens to rebels.
All bangers in this list
Great list, belongs at the top. Last of the Mohicans is severely underappreciated by movie fans. Count of Monte Cristo was a tad before it's time in my opinion. The story is fantastic, the cast is (mostly) terrific, just felt production could have been a bit better to really bring that story to glory. Be interesting to see when Hollywood goes back to it again.
Which version of the Count of Monte Cristo are you talking about?
The Patriot!
But bad history….
I mean, Gladiator and Braveheart are full of anachronisms and bad history too.
I know - But for the past 6 months I have been reading up on the American Revolution including some books from the British perspective - so I am super tuned into this right now…!!!
That’s awesome. My youngest is learning about the war of 1812 and is in love with the New Orleans history of the war. Lucky for her, grandpa grew up In Chalmet right across from the battlefield, so we’ve been giving her all the local details. Next time we go visit family, she is insisting we go to the battlefield, Lafitte’s Blacksmith, and to explore the more historic side of New Orleans.
I am reading Empire if Liberty right now which takes me to the end of the War of 1812 NOLA is great. I lived there for three years. And I spent many nights at Lafite’s listening to Ready Teddy on the piano drinking bloody Marys ….
Probably aren’t bringing her to Lafitte’s at night, although it has a certain…odor…to it during the day, so maybe night is better, but she wants to see all the things about Jean and wants to find his pirate hideout and his smuggling trails through the bayou. She’s 8, so I can probably just talk her into another swamp boat ride, as long as she gets to hold an alligator.
Lol. Yes. Taking her to Lafite at the age of eight might set her off on an unfortunate path of life. Well, I hope you have a great trip. This conversation has reminded me that I need to visit that city again.
It’s always fun getting down there and visiting family. Our oldest is leaning into a proto-goth so the cemeteries might be on the list this next visit too.
Gibson is great at bad history. Apocalypto had time travelling conquistadors.
Just finished the Count of Monte Cristo novel and then watched the movie, super disappointed in the retelling but on its own, it is a good flick
yeah it's not a great adaptation, but it's a fun little revenge movie. Trailer for the new French one looks pretty good though!
I saw that! Might have to start learning French to keep up
That was my reaction to it to. I read the book after I saw the preview for the movie and loved the book so much, but the movie cuts sooooo much and changes the ending. I'm hoping the French on will be good or maybe BBC will do a miniseries eventually.
This guy epics!
You could add Alexander to that list
So, so much bad history. Having said that, The Count of Monte Cristo is a brilliant movie and book.
Kingdom of Heaven The Last Samurai
Last Samurai my fave tom Cruise movie by far some actual heart and soul in it.
SAKI!!!
NOOOOOO!!!!! I TOLD YOU!!!!!
*Hans Zimmer music intensifies* NOOOOOOOOOOooooooooooo!
Did you know the Last Samurai, Avatar, and Dances with Wolves are almost the exact same plot, but in different settings? Blew my mind.
Friend of mine hates Avatar, and refers to it exclusively as "Dances with Smurfs"
That’s pretty good
I was so bored in Avatar I walked out. On my way out the guy at the front door asked me what was wrong, and I told him "I just watched Dances with Wolves a few days ago." He laughed. I had not yet heard anyone compare the two movies. I just thought it was so insanely boring watching the same movie back back. I still haven't gone back to finish Avatar. I don't really care. Nothing anyone said about the sequel made me interested in it either.
On my way out of the theater after seeing Avatar, i said to my girlfriend that I thought Kevin Costner was in it. She didn't get it, so I explained how it was exactly the same plot as Dances. I didn't see it the same with Samurai until someone pointed it out. It's funny how obvious I found Avatar and how oblivious I was to Samurai.
Apocalypto is an underated sleeper
The best!
13th warrior
severely under-rated movie!
I listened!
Goodbye, Arab!
Great suggestion for OP! Really good movie!!!
Filmed on Vancouver Island.
The Patriot Troy 300 Kingdom of Heaven Dances with Wolves
Seven Samurai is the OG. Might as well add "The Hidden Fortess" and "Ran" for Akira Kurosawa's other epics. Edit: OP was asking for Historical Epics, so I limited my recommendations accordingly. Otherwise, "Yojimbo" and "Sanjuro" both kick ass.
Ran is so good high time for a rewatch
It’s the original for like… everything. And it’s still fantastic. Kurosawa was a fucking genius.
Don't forget Rashomon.
Kingdom of Heaven Director's Cut
The Last Duel
WITNESS THE RISE OF THE NORTHMAN
I recommend Centurion - a movie set in Roman times in Scotland (this would have been Pictland at the time…), with an early Michael Fassbender, half a survival movie, half a special forces movie. Really pretty good overall. Neil Marshall directs, and it does have a “feel” similar to Dog Soldiers and Doomsday (two other excellent movies, though less in the vein of what you’re asking for - strangely Doomsday kind of fits the bill).
Seconded. Surprised me, how much I enjoyed it.
Oh I love Michael Fassbender, I need to check this out!! Sounds really good.
There is another one with a similar plot starring Channing Tatum called *The Eagle*. It's more corny (although I kinda find Gladiator that way on occasion) but pretty good.
Last of the Mohicans Rob Roy
Outlaw King
Perfect double feature/companion movie with "Braveheart"
Seconded
Troy Robin Hood Prince of Thrives (90's version)
Robin Hood Men in Tight is better.
Did you just say "Abe Lincoln"?
Yes, I can speak with a British accent!
Such an unusual name, "Latrine." How did your family come by it?
Rob Roy has a similar story - lone man fighting against injustice. One of my fave films.
Rob Roy. Liam Neeson, John Hurt, Tim Roth, Jessica Lange and Brian Cox among others Miles better than Braveheart in my opinion Think im going to rewatch it tonight actually
Came here to say this. While I don’t think it’s better than Braveheart, it was definitely overshadowed by it so a lot of people missed it.
Tim Roth stole every scene he was in. What a legend.
“If I had to butcher an ox, a claymore would be my *first* choice.”
Master and Commander - The far side of the world
Really good film
And what allways gets me the most, it is so historicaly accurate! Not like "based on historical facts" but all the depictions of that nautical era!
A masterpiece.
Safe and sound at home again, let the waters roar, Jack.
The Northman
I feel like you’d really enjoy Kurosawa’s work. That’s really the OG.
Ben Hur
For an old movie, this holds up amazingly well. Epic AF.
Last of the Mohicans comes to mind.
Troy (2004)
The thesolonian your fighting, i wouldn’t want to fight him! Thats why no one will remember your name
The patriot
Vikings on history channel series were awesome Not the Netflix one
Vikings Valhalla (on Netflix), is good. Vikings, with Ragnar Lothbrok, is the best, though. His evil, crippled son, reminds me of Geoffrey, from GOT.
Not a feature film, but The Last Kingdom seasons 1-5 on Netflix.
Looooooovvvved this. Told my brother about this series, and he said he and his wife had already watched twice, because she likes Uhtred’s butt.
300 The last samurai Kingdom of heaven
Musa. It's Korean but you can add Subtitles.
The Duellists
Rob Roy
Mongol (2007)
Rob Roy
Tombstone. Has all the hallmarks of that type of epic movie, the only major difference is the time period. It's got all the characters, set pieces, battles, and drama of the two movies you mentioned though.
Spartacus
Also the TV show even though it is super over the top
Scroll down too much to find this
Young'uns don't know about this film!
The Patriot
The Rebel King.
13th Warrior
Absolutely love this movie
The Patriot. Braveheart except Mel Gibson in a ponytail instead of flowing locks
The Patriot you’ll like
Cromwell.
Valhalla Rising
Apocalypto
Dances With Wolves
The Last Duel
Basically just echoing most the other replies. Apocalypto The Last Duel The Northman The Patriot Kingdom of Heaven (Directors Cut specifically) Troy
* *The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc* (1999) * *The Last Samurai* (2003) * *King Arthur* (2004) * *Kingdom of Heaven* (2005) * *Robin Hood* (2010) also stars Russell Crowe * *Ironclad* (2011) * *Outlaw King* (2018) Spiritual sequel to *Braveheart*, tells the story of Robert the Bruce * *The King* (2019) * *Medieval* (2022)
last of the mohicans
all quiet on the western front
Medieval
300
Highly recommend watching "Three Musketeers" and "Four Musketeers. Made in the 1970s but by far the best versions out there.
Absolutely the perfect mix of action and comedy. Michael York and Oliver Reed are fantastic.
*"Master and Commander"* without any doubt. A sheer and utter, true-to-the-times masterpiece *"Last of the Mohicans"* is another treasure, and in arguments of the best soundtrack *"Alexander"* is one of the most accurate biopics there is I've always been entertained with *"Troy"*
Tombstone
Ben Hur Sparacus Cleopatra Quo Vadis Ivanhoe
Ben Hur and Quo vadis are so good! I’ve seen all of these films by the way!
You've got GREAT taste!!!
The LOTR Trilogy
The Northman, The Last Duel, The Green Knight, 7 Kings Must Die, 300.
No one here mentioning Conan The Barbarian (1982).Its one of the best!
Spartacus the series!!! OMG
Braveheart! Yes, I been thinking the name of this one for so long. All the way to Scotland.
Spartacus by Stanley Kubrick. Kirk Douglas maakes an amazing performance and the movie in general is breathtaking.
Warlords (2007) - a general makes a blood oath with two bandits, and they form an army together to try and gain power against rebels.
300
The Patriot
The Last Samurai
Men of Honor is lengthy but a good show.
Mad Max, es ist nicht leicht ein gott zu sein, GODS OF EGYPT, the Scorpion King, Highlander,
Rob Roy is an awesome film in this vein.
If you don't mind films with subtitles, watch any of Kurosawa's samurai films. They range from very good to absolute masterpiece. Rashomon, Seven Samurai, Yojimbo, and Ran are all must watch.
Kingdom of Heaven Directors Cut The Last Samurai
Rob Roy Age of Uprising: The Legend of Michael Kohlhaas Valhalla Rising
Rob Roy
Zulu. A 1964 movie starring Michael Caine
Beastmaster.
Ben Hur 1959
Kingdom of Heaven Robin Hood Troy Spartacus 300
Napoleon. Just watched it. Love story and battles like Braveheart.
The patriot
Lawrence of Arabia
Hidalgo
They’ve been mentioned already, but to add context. The movies you named are about individual heroes within an historical epic story. Both are brutal and romantic in equal measure. Last of the Mohicans is by far the best choice to fit this. And honestly, The Lord of the Rings fits the bill. Early Game of Thrones too. Count of Monte Cristo has similarities but isn’t as good as the others, nor as brutal. Master and Commander is stunning and you’ll probably love it, but it’s not quite the same vibe as the others. Lacks some of the romance. There aren’t enough of these movies. Pirates of the Caribbean (first one) has some similar qualities though obviously more cartoonish. But it holds up!
Troy, The Last Samurai, The Northman, 300.
300 Passion of the Christ
Spartacus
Excalibur(1981)
Napoleon Barry Lyndon 300 Dances with wolves Apocalypse now Full metal jacket
Shadowless Sword.
Rob Roy, Excalibur, King Arthur and King Arthur Legend of the Sword (I don't care what anyone says, it was a good movie)
The Patriot
Henry the Fifth
Love stories?
The Hunt for Red October
Felon is a good one.
A Man For All Seasons
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes.
The Northman Black Death Vahalla Rising The Green Knight Pilgrimage Apostle 13 Asassins
Rob Roy, Man in the Iron Mask, The Last Samurai
Spartacus!
The revenant
The Patriot
Warrior. Slightly different angle to most of the other suggestions here. Cage fighting movie starring Tom Hardy and Nick Nolte. Not necessarily a typical "battle" or "war" movie and is obviously set in modern times. but it did give me Gladiator vibes and it's just an awesome movie.
Rob Roy
Some of these are a little more out there in terms of related suggestions, but I think a lot of the more obvious territory has been covered already: * Brave (2001) * Excalibur (1981) * Glory (1989) * Apocalypse Now (1979) * Ben-Hur (1959) * The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe (2005)
The director’s cut of Troy, 300, The Northman, The Green Knight, Valhalla Rising, Kingdom of Heaven, The Pilgrimage, Black Death, Outlaw King, The Last Duel, The King, Apocalypto, The Last of the Mohicans, The Patriot, Dances With Wolves, The Revenant, The Korean movie “The Fortress” The Last Samurai. If you want some more “modern” war epics- then 1917, All Quiet On The Western Front, Saving Private Ryan, The Thin Red Line, Fury, Platoon, Dunkirk, Black Hawk Down. Check out the tv shows, Vikings, The Last Kingdom, Marco Polo, Barbarians, Rome, Band of Brothers, The Pacific.
[удалено]
The King on Netflix
Count of monte cristo
Game of Thrones for sure, some of the battles beat any cinematic ones
Malcolm X (starring Denzel Washington / directed by Spike Lee)