Alexander the Great (1956)

Overrated

Although it has its amusing moments, in eneral the plot does not convince.

It was OK. I don't see why everyone loves it so much. It wasn't very smart or deep or well-directed.

I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

Hopefully everybody knows who Alexander of Macedon is, and for those who don't, we was the Macedonian who, in a few short years, conquered all of modern day Greece, Turkey, Lebanon, Syria, Israel, Egypt, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, and northwestern India. He was gone down in history as one of the greatest generals that the world has ever known, but despite his conquests, was he really a great man? Well, history has recorded that he was, but we look at his achievements over two thousand years after his death, and the closest record we have of his exploits was from Arian, who wrote over 100 years after his death.Whether Alexander truly a great man is not a question that this movie seeks to answer, though it does explore his character (based upon the mythology that has arisen around him) and follows him from birth to death (though does not strictly follow his entire life, but rather important events). The movie focuses on his birth (with his mum prophesying that she has given birth to a god), his coming of age when he is given rule over Macedonea while his father is away at war, his first victory on the field, and his father's death. Once his father is dead (after being assassinated by one of Alexander's friends), Alexander then raises his army and invades Persia. The main events are then his conquest of Anatolia, his battle with Darius, the death of Darius, his entry into Babylon, his decision to return home after killing his friend in a drunken brawl (which occurs in India) and finally his death in Babylon. The scope of the story of Alexander of Macedon is huge, almost too big to fit into a full length feature film.This movie is not so much a character study of this man, but rather following him as he comes of age and then sets out on his goal to first conquer Persia, and then conquer the world. However is character does come out, namely the oedipal complex with his mother (and in turn his dilemma when Phillip, his father, decides to get rid of his mother for a younger girl), and his hubris. While his hubris is not his ultimate downfall, it is his desire to conquer to the end that he forgets that those who follow him are far from home, and in the end the only thing they want is to return to Macedon (though Alexander's army was made up of many more people than just Macedonians). In the end, when he dies of a sudden illness, he is left with the question as to succession, to which he replies, 'my kingdom goes to the strongest'. Once again, not strictly true, as he did have an heir, but his heir did not possess Alexander's qualities, and his kingdom ended up being divided amongst his generals.As for the movie, it was enjoyable, maybe not faithful to the true story, but since the story of Alexander is sketchy beyond what we know, I guess it will be ever difficult to know the truth about this man beyond the legend that has developed around him.

Historic , big-budgeted and breathtaking epic movie with stunningly battle scenes but overlong and a little boring pacing ; being subsequently remade by Oliver Stone (2003) in a mammoth version. The movie centers about Alexander the Great (Richard Burton at his stormy best and subsequently played by Colin Farrell) , the famous Greek conqueror of the fourth century and disciple of Aristoteles , he was born in Pella and died Babylone (356-323 B.C) . He was son of Philip II(Fredric March and posteriorly played by Val Kilmer) King of Macedonya who vanquished Greeks in Queronea , unified the cities and Greece in the league of Corinto, but he was murdered . It starts the year 326 B.C. in a divided , troubled , bloody Greece . Olympia (a delightful Danielle Darrieux , ulterior role by Angelina Jolie), Alexander's mother , will make it impossible to rule over for her son and proclaim him emperor . Alexander, disciple of Aristoteles (Barry Jones , subsequent role by Christopher Plummer), will fight against Persians commanded by Dario the Grat (Harry Andrews) who will be vanquished in Granico, Issos and Gaugamela. Alexander conquered Tracia , destroyed Tebas , submitted Capadocia, Lydia , Biblos , Sidon , Tiro , Jerusalen , Persepolis , Susa , Babylone (with firing included), Mesopotamia , Asyria and founded Alexandropolis . Alexander resolved the Gordian knot (by king Gordio) whose prophecy would become him as King of Asia . But a vengeful Alexander kills various friends and generals as Cleitos (Gustavo Rojo) , Parmenius (Niall MacGuinnis) and Philotas (Ruben Rojo) . Emperor Alexander married Babylonian princess named Roxana and arrived in Samarcanda, Khiver pass (Afganistan) , Hifasis and India , crossed the Hindo-Kush where he was infected by fevers and died at 33 years old (323 before Christ). The empire will split amongst various generals : Ptolemy inherits Egypt and Palestina, ; Antioco : Antioquia ; Seleuco takes Syria , and Casandro rules over Macedonia and Greece .Big budget epic about the legendary Greek conqueror . Here we find Alexander is the result of a dysfunctional royal family who wishes to create an idealized world modeled in Greek style , this he does by conquering around the world before dying at the age of 33 years old. The overall casting is important , the remarkable ¨middle order actors¨ include prestigious British actors as Peter Cushing , Stanley Baker , Niall MacGuinnis , Claire Bloom, , Michael Hordern as Demosthenes , Helmut Dantine , Barry Jones and Spanish actors as Marisa De Leza as Euridice , Gustavo Rojo , Ruben Rojo , Julio Peña , Virgilio Texeira and many others . The great main and secondary casting help to overcome the sluggish developing . Runtime film is overlong and is a little bit tiring because the running is two hours and some and it tires too much. At the picture there are historic events, overwhelming battles, spectacular scenarios and gorgeous landscapes . First rate production design : impressive temples, palaces, monuments..,the several battle scenes are effectively staged by thousands of people , featuring loads of arrows and spears . Grateful acknowledge meant is made of the co-operation shown by the Spanish government , its Army, the Ministry of Information and Turismo and to the officials and people of the various localities in Spain in which this film was made as Madrid , Manzanares , El Molar and Malaga. Colorful and riveting cinematography by Robert Krasker , in Techniclor and Cinemarcope ; similarly to extraordinary and fascinating Mario Nascimbene's music score , being well conducted by Franco Ferrara . Robert Rossen's direction is nice though some moments results to be a bit confusing and embarrassing . Rating : Although is a much underrated epic turns out to be a good movie .

First off, I would like to point out that if you are looking for sustained sequences of violence (which, I should note, I do like on certain movies), you will be disappointed. Next, if you are into the pusillanimity of deep character psychoanalysis, you will be disappointed. Lastly, if you are obsessive about historical accuracy, you will probably be distracted. All this said, this movie is awesome! The dialogue is excellent, not too wordy, but elevated in style, in accord with its subject. I have seen some complaints about the acting style, but I find that the acting style here fits the movies well; it reflects the 'serene grandeur' that was the Ancient World. I saw a complaint about the special effects in another review; folks, this movie was made in 1956! Besides, they handled many situations which would otherwise have required special effects quite well; an example would be the part where Alexander kills his friend Clitus towards the end. At any rate, the special effects are not cheesy enough to detract from this movie. To sum, I like this movie for the following reasons:1. The acting is not sentimental. 2. The main events of the movie are not overshadowed by the characters' personal problems/personal quirks. 3. The movie is beautifully filmed. 4. Like Classical history books, this movie does not drive the details of battles into the ground, but focuses on relationships between players and on the political and personal causes of things. 5. The dialogue and story line are concise. 6. The few sexual innuendos are tastefully handled; you can show this one to a sixth-grade history class and you might only have to forward through one part because of the dialogue, NOT nudity or suggestive behaviour.All-in-all, a great movie, and I am glad my mom got this one for me for a gift; it is a great addition to my library of movies about Ancient Rome and Greece.

This film was recently shown on British TV. I remember seeing the original in St. John's Newfoundland during my national service in the US Army. It was impressive then but, alas, not now! It was just one of many Hollywood attempts to get people away from the TV set and back into the movie theaters. Burton was just starting his career and he seemed awed and somewhat subdued in this film.Unfortunately its main purpose today is as a source for laughter. Two early scenes, 2 handers, were played behind a mammoth statue with the statues rear end dominating the screen behind the actors! I guess Burton just did not yet have the clout to say "No way, Jose'"! Also spot some of the horrendous continuity errors and look out for the "dead" extra who moves his foot away from an advancing horse. Poor Harry Andrews (an excellent actor) as the dead Darius just carries on breathing as an intolerably long shot lingers on him. I don't blame him!