AFI Names Top Ten Epic Films of All Time
Lawrence of Arabia Number One on American Film Institute List
The American Film Institute (AFI) has released a listing of the "Top 100 Films of All Time." The movies are categorized in ten groups, with ten movies in each genre. The "Top Ten Epic Films of All Time" is a listing of big name epics that date from 1930 to 1998. The number one choice for top epic is Lawrence of Arabia. The top ten list includes Lawrence of Arabia, Ben Hur, Schindler's List, Gone With the Wind, Spartacus, Titanic, All Quiet on the Western Front, Saving Private Ryan, Reds and The Ten Commandments.
The American Film Institute define "Epic" as a genre of large scale film set in a cinematic interpretation of the past. Epic movies often have large, big name casts, too numerous to list here.
The oldest movie on the list is 'All Quiet on the Western Front,' made in 1930. The most recent movie is 'Saving Private Ryan.' Director Steven Spielberg made the list twice, with movies: Schindler's List and Saving Private Ryan. Actor Charlton Heston was also on the list twice, for Ben Hur and The Ten Commandments.
- Lawrence of Arabia. This epic film is set in 1916. British Intelligence supports the Arab rebellion against the Turkish German alliance Lieutenant T.E. Lawrence is an enigmatic 29 year old scholar sent to evaluate the Arab revolt. Cast: Peter O'Toole, Alec Guinness, Anthony Quinn, Jack Hawkins, Jose Ferrer. Director David Lean. 1962
- Ben Hur. Epic film is set during the ancient reign of Emperor Tiberium, in the days of Jesus, the Nazarene. Cast: Charlton Heston, Jack Hawkins, Haya Harareet, Stephen Boyd, Hugh Griffith. Director: William Wyler. 1959
- Schindler's List. The true story of Oskar Schindler, a German businessman who saved several Jews from the German concentration camps during WWII. Cast: Liam Neeson, Ben Kingsley, Ralph Fiennes, Caroline Goodall and Jonathan Sagalle. Director Steven Spielberg. 1993
- Gone With the Wind. Epic drama about the Civil War era, starting in 1861. Scarlett O'Hara is a headstrong Southern Belle, the daughter of a wealthy plantation owner. Rhett Butler is the dashing scoundrel who falls in love with the tempestuous beauty. Cast: Vivien Leigh, Clark Gable, Leslie Howard, Olivia De Havilland, Hattie McDaniel, Director: Victor Fleming and Sam Wood. Producer David O. Selznick. 1939
- Spartacus.Epic film takes place during the last century of the rule of the Roman Empire. Spartacus is a slave who is purchased and trained to become a gladiator. Cast: Kirk Douglas, Laurence Olivier, Jean Simmons, Charles Laughton, Peter Ustinov. Director: Stanley Kubrick. 1960
- Titanic The real life story of the tragic sinking of the Titanic is the back drop for a love story between different classes. Cast: Leonardo DeCaprio, Kate Winslet, Billy Zane, Kathy Bates, Frances Fisher. Director James Cameron. 1997
- All Quiet on the Western Front. A German schoolboy joins the Kaiser's forces during World War I. Cast: Louis Wolheim, Lew Ayres, John Wray, Arnold Luch, Ben Alexander. Director: Lewis Milestone. 1930
- Saving Private Ryan. World War II epic Cast: Tom Hanks, Tom Sizemore, Ed Burns, Matt Damon, Barry Pepper. Director: Steven Spielberg. 1998
- Reds. Epic story for real life journalist Jack Reed and writer - artist Louise Bryant. The movie is set in the backdrop of World War I and the Russian Revolution. Cast: Warren Beatty, Diane Keaton, Edward Herrmann, Jerzy Kosinski, Jack Nicholson. Director: Warren Beatty. 1981
- The Ten Commandments. Epic drama from the Bible, about the life of Moses and his leading of the Israelites to the Promised Land. Cast: Charlton Heston, Yul Brynner, Anne Baxter, Edward G. Robinson, Yvonne De Carlo. 1956
Resources: American Film Institute and IMDb.
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