10 Best Greek Battles in Movies, Ranked

Historic Greece is a reasonably widespread setting for plenty of films centered on historic warfare. Thankfully, there have been various conflicts happening on the time that the Historic Greeks have been round, so there is definitely no scarcity of fabric to attract inspiration from. Even when one does not want to draw inspiration from actual occasions, the Greeks had a great deal of mythology about gods and heroes and loads of fictitious battles that may function fascinating Hollywood setpieces.

Because it occurs, many films have made use of this monumental lexicon of fabric that the Greeks left behind of their myths and histories. Certainly, many movies present battles that the Greeks fought, each actual and fictional. These are the very best Greek battles in films, which, whatever the film’s inherent high quality, are virtually all the time probably the most thrilling a part of all the movie.

10

The Battle of Marathon

‘300: Rise of an Empire’ (2014)

Within the class of sequels that literally nobody asked for, there’s 300: Rise of an Empire, which is definitely extra of a prequel to its predecessor. This movie opens up throughout the first few months of the Greco-Persian Wars, starting with the Battle of Marathon close to the eponymous metropolis in Greece. By way of historic accuracy, this sequence fell approach under the bar set and was nothing just like the precise occasion, from the climate to the terrain to the weapons used.

Briefly, do not come into this flick anticipating a great, traditionally correct depiction of true occasions. However do go into it anticipating this primary engagement to be fairly thrilling and visually beautiful, which sadly does not set the tone for the remainder of the film. The thunderstorm and dirt of the terrain mixed with the Athenians chasing the Persians again onto their ships is actually marvelous and comprises each little bit of the allure that made the primary movie so beloved.

9

The Gods vs. The Titans

‘Immortals’ (2011)

Immortals is a film that manages to be each wonderful and amazingly horrible on the similar time. The great elements are actually good, whereas the dangerous elements are abysmal. Briefly, it is fairly middle-of-the-road total. One of many highlights, nonetheless, comes on the finish of the movie, when the Greek Pantheon of gods dons their shiny bronze armor, attracts their iconic weapons, and faces off in opposition to the traditional race of titans.

The combat is not something large-scale, however the smaller, intricate scene comprises unbelievable combat choreography and permits the Greek gods to truly present their prowess in battle for as soon as, which is not one thing many films permit them to do. So far as swords-and-sandals movies go, this uneven however visually dazzling effort is much from the very best however is fairly superior in the case of motion, and there isn’t any denying that.

8

Andromeda vs. the Makhai

‘Wrath of the Titans’ (2012)

One other sequel that no one requested for, Wrath of the Titans is a follow-up to the poorly-received Clash of the Titans made simply two years prior. This misguided image really managed to be even worse than its predecessor, which is actually to be anticipated, but when there’s one half that obtained hearts pumping, it is Andromeda’s (Rosamund Pike) battle in opposition to the sinister Makhai on the finish.

In Greek mythology, the Makhai are literal personifications of warfare and battle, so Andromeda and her military are primarily battling warfare itself. It would look like a ridiculous idea, however the combat is visually charming, that includes a large volcanic eruption as a backdrop. The Makhai additionally really feel decently intimidating and harmful, as befits their nature. It is positively probably the most thrilling a part of this lackluster movie, and it virtually makes the remainder of the film value it. Nearly.

7

Hercules vs. Cotys

‘Hercules’ (2014)

Undoubtedly one in every of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson‘s weirder roles is when he performed the Greek hero Hercules within the 2014 movie of the identical title. Granted, the film is not terrible. Critiques ranged from common to barely above common, so it would not be unsuitable to name it one of many “okayest” films ever made. Many points of the movie have been missing, however the place it actually shone was in its last battle sequence.

Right here, Hercules faces off in opposition to the forces of King Cotys I (John Harm), ruler of Thrace. Contemplating that there isn’t any proof suggesting Hercules was even an actual particular person, it is unlikely this battle ever occurred in actual life, however boy, is it ever thrilling. It might be solely speculative, however the scene helps this adaptation of the parable stand out from most of the others as a result of, goodness is aware of, there are simply too a lot of them to rely. This film actually wanted this scene, and it might have single-handedly saved it from being a complete lot worse.

Hercules

Launch Date

July 25, 2014

6

The Battle of the Hydaspes

‘Alexander’ (2004)

To be frank, Alexander is an all-time bad period biopic and a monumental disappointment to film followers. But when there’s one factor it obtained proper, it is the battle sequences. This Oliver Stone disasterpiece stars Colin Farrell as Macedonian ruler Alexander the Nice as he wages conquests throughout the Center East and South Asia. Certainly one of these conquests happens in present-day Pakistan, coming to be referred to as the Battle of the Hydaspes.

Right here, Alexander the Nice encountered elephants for the primary time, which was an enormous shock to him and his military, as they’d by no means seen these gigantic beasts earlier than. Nonetheless, Alexander was capable of emerge victorious. Although the setting is slightly off, many historians praised this battle sequence for a number of the finer particulars, together with the shock and awe of the Macedonians seeing the elephants and their preventing type, on the whole.

Alexander

Launch Date

November 24, 2004

Director

Oliver Stone

Writers

Oliver Stone, Christopher Kyle, Laeta Kalogridis

5

The Battle of Thermopylae

‘The 300 Spartans’ (1962)

The 300 Spartans is a movie that has sadly handed into obscurity lately, however that does not imply it is not pleasing. The story is impressed by the very actual Battle of Thermopylae throughout the early years of the Greco-Persian Wars, roughly ten years after the aforementioned Battle of Marathon. Throughout this combat, King Leonidas I (Richard Egan) of Sparta took a pressure of simply 300 of his most interesting warriors to satisfy the invading Persians at Thermopylae, every understanding full nicely it was a sacrificial mission.

Although the Spartans have been doomed to die, and so they knew it, in addition they knew their sacrifice would delay the enemy and provides time for the remainder of Greece to arrange for warfare. The depiction of the battle on this film might sound sort of outdated now on account of the truth that the movie got here out over 60 years in the past, nevertheless it’s nonetheless fairly thrilling and is a very inspirational story of sacrifice, camaraderie, and doing what’s proper for one’s nation.

The 300 Spartans

Launch Date

August 29, 1962

4

The Battle of Gaugamela

‘Alexander’ (2004)

Say what you’ll about Alexander, however as talked about, this awful movie has some awesome battle sequences, the very best of them being the Battle of Gaugamela in what is probably going present-day Iraq. Right here, Alexander the Nice fought the Persians on a wide-open desert plain and as soon as once more emerged victorious, although this time was lucky sufficient to not be confronted with any elephants or unknown creatures that will have stunned him or his males.

In an interview with Insider, historian and historic warfare knowledgeable Roel Konijnendijk gave this scene, particularly, a 9 out of ten by way of realism and said that that is really probably the most life like depiction of the Battle of Gaugamela as could be present in just about any type of media. Clearly, it is fairly excessive reward and speaks sufficient to the standard of this particular scene, however positively not for the entire film. Regardless, any fan of Historic Greece should verify this one out for authenticity as a result of Alexander nailed it in that division.

3

The Siege of Troy

‘Troy’ (2004)

Troy stars Brad Pitt as the Greek hero Achilles throughout the Trojan Conflict in what’s most definitely present-day Turkey. The overall consensus amongst historians is that the town of Troy was in all probability actual, however whether or not or not the Siege of Troy (and the accompanying legend of the Trojan Horse that the film follows) really occurred may be very a lot up for debate. In case you’re not conversant in the legend, the film will you should definitely catch you up on it.

Principally, the Greeks are making little progress of their Siege of Troy and devise a plan that’s so ridiculous that it simply has to work. They assemble an unlimited wood horse, leaving it on the seaside and pretending to pack up and go dwelling. The Trojans take the wood horse into the town, believing it to be a present to the gods. Nevertheless, a small group of Greek warriors is hidden inside, and that evening, they emerge to let their returning military into the town, inflicting the battle to be gained. Just about the entire film facilities round this siege, and it is very thrilling from begin to end.

Troy

Launch Date

Could 14, 2004

2

The Skeleton Skirmish

‘Jason and the Argonauts’ (1963)

Jason and the Argonauts follows the Greek hero Jason (Todd Armstrong), a determine of legend who embarks on a quest throughout the ocean to seek out the legendary Golden Fleece, encountering many harmful creatures and places alongside the best way. Within the movie, one in every of these many risks is a small contingent of undead warriors, skeletons which have risen from the grave and start to assault Jason with out actually giving any cause why.

For a movie made in 1963, the scene is definitely very cleverly accomplished and is spectacular in its capacity to seize the battle with out using CGI. Positive, it is small and could be a bit outdated by immediately’s requirements, however this fast combat between Jason and the skeletons is usually seen as the very best a part of the movie, particularly with the way it showcases the swordsmanship of Jason and his capacity to face hazard head-on, like a real Greek hero.

Jason And The Argonauts

Launch Date

June 13, 1963

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1

The Battle of Thermopylae (once more)

‘300’ (2007)

Unquestionably, the very best Greek battle in any film ever has obtained to be 300‘s model of the Battle of Thermopylae. The film is based on a graphic novel by Frank Miller and thus is very stylized, that includes a number of distinctive stylistic decisions, epic cinematography, and an enormous quantity of slo-mo. But, this hyper-stylization by no means feels daft or misplaced, with every component mixing seamlessly collectively right into a continuous onslaught of demise, beginning pretty early on and persevering with proper till the top.

With using fashionable filming strategies and CGI, the 2007 movie is ready to seize the battle on a a lot grander scale than the 1962 movie, even when this model is not fully traditionally correct per se. In any case, 300 has grow to be the film most related to the tragic but inspiring story of King Leonidas I, and it is due to the strategies used on this legendary sequence.

300

Launch Date

March 9, 2007

NEXT: 10 Movies To Watch if You Love ‘300’