picture show about Romeoften bring to storage emperors , gladiators , Julius Caesar , and aristocrats . Many masses also think of William Shakespeare , as the Bard himself wrote frequently on the subject in his plays . alfresco of Shakespeare and adaptations of his work , Ancient Rome act a big role in monolithic studio moviessince the other days of still films . Some of the most famed picture in cinema history have been set in Ancient Rome , including some of the world ’s earliest blockbusters with headline - grabbing budget , such asBen Hur’sthen - recording - breaking $ 15 million clam yield cost in 1959 .

moving picture determine in the Roman Empire settle into the " steel and sandal " motion picture subgenre , though the movies set in this specific corner of the ancient world are renowned for their trend to have monumental set and budgets to pit . The increase budget brought with it big risks , butthe best movies pose in Ancient Rome often ended up bringing prize recognition to the studiosthat took a chance on them . Withmulti - award - winning movies likeGladiatorandBen - Hurto the little , yet critically - beloved acquittance likeTitusandLife of Brian , there are a wide form of movies about Ancient Rome across multiple tenner , budgets , and genres .

From classic like Spartacus to offering from the 21st century like Troy ( 2004 ) , Hellenic mythology movie often showcase Hollywood at its hunky-dory .

Collage of Disney’s animated Hercules, Brad Pitt in Troy (2004), and Kirk Douglas in Spartacus (1960)

25The Silver Chalice (1954)

A Greek Artist Is Commissioned To Make The Cup Of Christ

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The Silver Chalice , release in 1954 , follow a Greek artificer tasked with craft a silver cup adorned with the faces of Jesus and the disciples . His journey takes him from Jerusalem to Rome , while contending with an impostor claim to be the new Messiah using shoddy magic .

Paul Newman is said to have hat his work in this motion picture , but that does n’t break it from make a lasting bequest . The Silver Chalicemarked Newman ’s feature film film debut . Victor Saville acted as both director and manufacturer of the movie , want to make an epic befitting of the novel of the same name on which it is based .

The account interpret a Greek artificer require to cast the goblet of Christ in silver with his disciples describe around it . His journey takes him to both Jerusalem and Rome while someone else is officious trying to win over everyone he ’s the new messiah .

Ben Affleck as Christian drumming his hand on the table while talking to Cynthia Addai-Robinson’s Marybeth in The Accountant 2

The movie have largely sundry review when it was initially free because it did n’t calculate like other Hollywood scriptural heroic poem of the era , but that ’s part of what make it such an interesting face into the authoritative subgenre . The set pieces sport abstractionist decorations that differentiated it from Hollywood of the 1950s . That lot purpose is part of why Martin Scorcese himself enjoy the picture . He shout it a “ hangdog delight ” in New York cartridge in 1978 . He also give away the movie is what got him to hire art graphic designer Boris Leven to act upon on his New York , New York .

24Agora (2009)

Agora Takes The Action To Roman-Occupied Egypt

While most of the movies set in Ancient Rome are about wars or the conflict between Christianity and other faith , there are some , likeThe Silver Chalice , that set up a passion story in that place setting . Agorais not that , but rather , a biopic , center on Hypatia , one of the earliest distaff mathematicians , philosophers , and astronomers . She lived in Egypt in the 4th hundred , but it was an Egypt controlled by the Roman Empire .

Weisz is grotesque in the part and her performance is worth some of the lesser aspects of the script .

Here , Hypatia isplayed by Rachel Weiszas she search the two conflicting views of uranology - the popular thought at the prison term was that the universe orb the Earth , but a self-contradictory view that the Earth orbited the sun had emerge . Hypatia ’s research play out among the conflicts between Christians and Pagans . Even seeking sanctuary in depository library does n’t excuse her from the conflict . Hypatia is regard as a witch by the Christians who lift to power , and finally , her life ends in tragedy .

Chronicle Ending Explained - How Andrew Is Stopped In The Superhero Movie

While there are plenty of aspects of the chronicle that are likely not historically accurate , so little is actually know about Hypatia ’s life and so much of her scholarly inquiry has been destroy , that the movie does n’t have to be accurate . Weisz is tremendous in the role and her performance is worth some of the less aspects of the hand .

23King Arthur (2004)

Roman History Is Infused With Arthurian Legend

Arthur is a loth leader who wants to return to Rome and populate in peace of mind . However , he sets out on a rescue mission alongside the Knights of the Round Table when the Saxon regular army is about to assail .

The 2004 version ofKing Arthuris not the unspoiled version of the story . It is , however , one of the most originative version of the legend of the ruler of Camelot . It ’s also tied into the Roman Empire , which makes it an interesting addition to Ancient Roman movies . Though it ’s not fructify in Rome itself , it ’s put in England at a fourth dimension when Roman soldiers were absorb it .

Arthur himself is the baby of a papistic soldier and a Celtic woman in this interpretation of the report . He grows disillusioned with the conflict between English natives and the Romans that engross the landed estate , and eventually , he grow to contend for his friends and neighbors when he bring in that the very Romans he ’s been sent to protect have enslaved people .

Collage of characters from Julius Caesar, Gladiator and Life of Brian

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Along the way , of course , the making love trilateral between Arthur , Lancelot , and Guinevere develops and Arthur rises to become king . fuse the legend with the mind of Roman soldier beginning to withdraw from Britain makes it unique , but not the good Ancient Roman storey .

22History of the World Part 1 (1981)

This Movie Spans More Than Just Ancient Rome

History of the World : Part I is a comedic picture directed by Mel Brooks , discharge in 1981 . It provides a humorous and novelise portrayal of various historical periods and events , including the Roman Empire , the French Revolution , and the Spanish Inquisition , merge irony with cultural references .

When it comes to movies about ancient account in ecumenical , History of the World Part 1comes to bear in mind . It features narration from the Stone Age all the way up through the French Revolution , but a expert chunk of the way revolves around a character in Ancient Rome .

That character isComicus , a comic and philosopher played by Mel Brooks . When Comicus insults Emperor Nero during a public presentation for Julius Caesar , Nero happens to be in the audience . He spends much of the relaxation of his storyline avoid being capture by soldiers of the Roman Empire .

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The Silver Chalice, released in 1954, follows a Greek artisan tasked with crafting a silver cup adorned with the faces of Jesus and the disciples. His journey takes him from Jerusalem to Rome, while contending with an impostor claiming to be the new Messiah using deceptive tricks.

At the time of its release , the movie did n’t get much decisive love beyond the performance of Mel Brooks , but it ’s become something of a cultus classic among comedy fans today . Hulu even commissioned a sequel series that picks up in other metre stop .

21The Fires Of Pompeii (2008)

Doctor Who Episode 190

Dr. Who : Doctor Who is a British sci - fi goggle box serial debuting in 1963 , following The Doctor , a time - travel alien Time Lord . The Doctor explore the universe in the TARDIS , accompanied by companions , confront various adversaries and striving to save civilisation while addressing injustices .

“ The Fires of Pompeii ” is not technically a motion-picture show , but it does have a alike feeling to some of the classic movies set in Ancient Rome . It ’s an episode ofDoctor Whothat seesDavid Tennant ’s interlingual rendition of the Doctor and his companion Donna Noble ( Catherine Tate ) journeying to Ancient Rome , specifically to Pompeii , powerful before the massive volcanic eruption that would destroy it .

Doctor Whois known for redact its own twirl on historic events and many of its best - known instalment have a cinematic tone to them . Here , Donna struggles with her future knowledge of what will go on to the people she meets . She implores the Doctor to save the great unwashed , but that ’s not part of what he ’s usually able-bodied to do in these situation . Allen Tate ’s excited execution as she try on to get multitude to ward off areas where she knows they ’ll be killed makes the episode .

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This episode is also known for futureDoctor Whostars Peter Capaldi and Karen Gillan appearing as dissimilar characters than the ace they would play in the future .

20The Robe (1953)

Richard Burton’s Tale Of The Soldiers Who Crucified Christ

The Robe is a historic dramatic event film do in the 1st century , following the story of Marcellus Gallio , a Roman tribune who make headway the gown of Jesus Christ at a Crucifixion auction . As Marcellus becomes haunt with the robe , he begins to uncover the truth about the life and teachings of Jesus , ultimately leading to a shift in his own spirit .

film put in Ancient Rome have been a staple of film for decades , with many of the best go far in theaters in the early - mid 20th 100 . unfreeze in 1953,The Robeis free-base on the Biblical tale of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ . Richard Burton star as a Romanic military machine tribune named Marcellus who control the unit task with subdue Christ . This was a movie that has the signification of beingthe first ever released in CinemaScope(viaAcademia.edu ) .

When Marcellus come to accept Jesus as the Son of God , he has to decide if he will betray him or make a tie-up . The movie was a successful release come to the box office and went on to pick up two Oscar wins in five nominations . While it was appoint for Best Picture , it only advance for Art Direction and Costume Design .

Paul Newman

19Ben-Hur (2016)

Director Timur Bekmambetov’s Take On One Of The First Epic Movies

Ben - Hur ( 2016 ) is an military action epic that iterate the history of Judah Ben Hur , a prince falsely accused of treason by his adopted brother and best friend . Now , stripped of his title and separated from his family , Judah expend twelvemonth at ocean enslaved by the Romans . Despite his predicament , Judah will revert to his homeland to seek revenge - but instead , may find redemption .

In 2016 , conductor Timur Bekmambetov ( Wanted ) re - imagined the larger-than-life 1959 Ancient Rome movieBen - Hur . Bekmambetov seek to advertise his movie at a much faster pace than the 1959 original , and the remaking emphatically feelsmore like a innovative legal action motion picture than an heroic historic taleat points . John Huston stars as Ben - Hur , a man betrayed by a puerility Quaker during Christ ’s crucifixion as he seeks both revenge and redemption .

The movie is short than the 1959 version , and while this is mostly a well matter , it also lacks the straight free weight of Ben Hur ’s repurchase compared to the original .

Rachel Weisz as Hypatia holding several scrolls and looking afraid in Agora

The film is short than the 1959 translation , and while this is mostly a good matter , it also miss the true weight unit of Ben Hur ’s redemption compare to the original . Huston is unite in the cast of 2016’sBen Hurby the likes of Morgan Freeman as Sheik Ilderim , Rodrigo Santoro as Jesus ( who has a greater character in this version of the account ) , and Toby Kebbell as Messala .

18Pompeii (2014)

An Ancient Natural Disaster Gets A Modern Glow-Up

Pompeii tells the story of the eruption of Vesuvius through the eyes of a young Gaelic prizefighter , Milo , who was sold into slavery as a child . As the disaster approaches , Milo falls in love , forms a contention with a fellow gladiator , and comes face - to - face with the man who sold him into thrall .

The destruction of the Ancient Roman urban center ofPompeii in AD 79 is one of the early natural disasters to be cataloged by historians , with as many as 20,000 people or more losing their life . Released in 2014,Pompeiiis a disaster picture taking situation in the papistic city of Pompeii during the devastating Mount Vesuvius eruption .

There was little doubt what would happen in the plot ofPompeii , since the volcano demolish the entire city , butdirector Paul W.S. Anderson filled the movie with some huge stars and create an engaging retaliation taradiddle to complement the inevitable volcanic death . Milo ( Kit Harrington ) is a man whose parents were murdered when he was a tiddler by Corvus ( Kiefer Sutherland ) , a former general reverse senator . The movie won six award at the Canadian Screen Awards , andPompeiiis fairly historically accurate to Romanic history .

King Arthur

Arthur is a reluctant leader who wants to return to Rome and live in peace. However, he sets out on a rescue mission alongside the Knights of the Round Table when the Saxon army is about to attack.

17Caligula (1979)

Malcolm McDowell, Helen Mirren, and Peter O’Toole Lead One Of History’s Most Controversial Movies

Caligula is a historical drama flick directed by Tinto Brass and written by Gore Vidal , based on the life of Roman Emperor Caligula . The flick stars Malcolm McDowell as Caligula , alongside Helen Mirren and Peter O’Toole , and explores the emperor moth ’s raise to power and subsequent descent into craziness and absolutism .

Caligula is an interesting Ancient Rome movie , as it is a historical epic , but also an erotic drama with major stars . Malcolm McDowell ( who also co - write the script ) stars as the Roman Emperor Caligula in the cinematic retelling of the infamous ancient tyrant ’s downfall , while Helen Mirren star as his wife , and Peter O’Toole appears as Tiberius . Directed by Tinto Brass , the movie became infamous due to containing — among other things — scenes of supposedly real and completely unsimulated sexual routine .

The movie ’s sex and wildness caused protests , and it ended up being banned in several res publica .

Headshot Of Clive Owen

Caligulawas controversial partly because one of the principal producers wasPenthousemagazine founding father Bob Guccione , while novelist Gore Vidal write the script alongside McDowell . The movie ’s sex and fury make protests , and it ended up being blackball in several countries . It has since become a cult classic , though it is n’t a motion picture set in Ancient Rome for the syncope of spirit .

16Risen (2016)

An All-Star Cast Brings To Life The Search For The Body Of Christ

Risen is a biblical drama flick that tells the story of Clavius , a papistical tribune tasked by Pontius Pilate to investigate the disappearance of Jesus Christ ’s body after his excruciation . As Clavius turn over profoundly into the mystery , he uncover a serial of events that take exception his agreement of the divine .

A fundamental intellect there are so many movies about the Roman Empire is their gibbosity in the New Testament of The Bible , andRisenis another Ancient Rome movie based on the story of Jesus Christ and his crucifixion . The 2016 movie follows Joseph Fiennes is Clavius , a Roman Tribune who supervises the crucifixion of Jesus . The cast ofRisenis especially notable , with Fiennes joined by the likes of Tom Felton ofHarry Potterfame .

When Jesus rises from the dead , Pontius Pilate order Clavius to find who " stole " the body to block a potential uprising . He set out and interview people with his aide Lucas ( Tom Felton ) and soon chance on that this situation is greater than he ever believed . The movie was a slight box function achiever and welcome positivist reviews , and isa unparalleled story among the many adaptation of historical events in the swords - and - sandles subgenre .

Headshot Of Keira Knightley

Headshot Of Ioan Gruffudd In The 31st Annual Race To Erase MS Gala 2024

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History of the World: Part I is a comedic film directed by Mel Brooks, released in 1981. It provides a humorous and fictionalized portrayal of various historical periods and events, including the Roman Empire, the French Revolution, and the Spanish Inquisition, blending satire with cultural references.

David Tennant as the Doctor and Catherine Tate as Donna witnessing the eruption at Pompeii in Doctor Who

The Robe (1953) - Poster

The Robe is a historical drama film set in the 1st century, following the story of Marcellus Gallio, a Roman tribune who wins the robe of Jesus Christ at a Crucifixion auction. As Marcellus becomes obsessed with the robe, he begins to uncover the truth about the life and teachings of Jesus, ultimately leading to a transformation in his own life.

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Ben-Hur (2016) is an action epic that retells the story of Judah Ben Hur, a prince falsely accused of treason by his adopted brother and best friend. Now, stripped of his title and separated from his family, Judah spends years at sea enslaved by the Romans. Despite his predicament, Judah will return to his homeland to seek revenge - but instead, may find redemption.

Headshot Of Jack Huston

headshot Of Toby Kebbell

pompeii

Pompeii tells the story of the eruption of Vesuvius through the eyes of a young Celtic gladiator, Milo, who was sold into slavery as a child. As the disaster approaches, Milo falls in love, forms a rivalry with a fellow gladiator, and comes face-to-face with the man who sold him into slavery.

Headshot Of Kit Harington In The Louis Vuitton Menswear Fall

Caligula (1979) - Poster - Malcom McDowell

Caligula is a historical drama film directed by Tinto Brass and written by Gore Vidal, based on the life of Roman Emperor Caligula. The film stars Malcolm McDowell as Caligula, alongside Helen Mirren and Peter O’Toole, and explores the emperor’s rise to power and subsequent descent into madness and tyranny.

Headshot Of Malcolm McDowell

Risen - Poster - Joseph Fiennes

Risen is a biblical drama film that tells the story of Clavius, a Roman tribune tasked by Pontius Pilate to investigate the disappearance of Jesus Christ’s body after his crucifixion. As Clavius delves deeper into the mystery, he uncovers a series of events that challenge his understanding of the divine.

Headshot Of Joseph Fiennes

Headshot Of Cliff Curtis

Headshot Of Tom Felton In The UK premiere of ‘Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore’

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