"Historical Films in Chronological order", by
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- DirectorDon ChaffeyStarsRaquel WelchJohn RichardsonPercy HerbertPrehistoric man Tumak is banished from his savage tribe and meets pretty Loana, who belongs to a gentler coastal tribe, but he must fight caveman Payto to win her favors.I. ANCIENT MAN
- DirectorVal GuestStarsVictoria VetriRobin HawdonPatrick AllenSanna escapes being sacrificed and meets Tara. Together, they live in a seaside tribe that worships the Sun God and survive the dangers of the creatures from the Mesozoic Era.
- DirectorMichael ChapmanStarsDaryl HannahPamela ReedJames RemarA young Cro-Magnon woman is raised by Neanderthals.
- DirectorJean-Jacques AnnaudStarsEverett McGillRon PerlmanNicholas KadiThis story takes place in prehistoric time when three tribesmen search for a new fire source.
- DirectorViktor TourjanskyStarsLinda CristalPierre BriceArmando FrancioliA beautiful girl and a young physician fall in love in the midst of a family, and power struggle between rival princes of Upper and Lower Egypt. When all seems to turn to the better, a dejected woman gets her revenge, and the couple's destruction.II. EARLY CIVILIZATIONS
II.1. EGYPT
Predynastic. - DirectorRussell MulcahyStarsMichael CoponKaren DavidSimon QuartermanAfter witnessing his father's murder by the hand of the ruthless General Sargon, Mathayus travels to the Underworld to retrieve the enchanted Sword of Damocles from the dark deity, Astarte. Can he thwart the usurper's megalomaniac vision?FIRST DYNASTY (c. 3150 - c. 2900 BC)
- DirectorHoward HawksStarsJack HawkinsJoan CollinsDewey MartinA captured architect designs an ingenious plan to ensure the impregnability of the tomb of a self-absorbed Pharaoh, obsessed with the security of his next life.FOURTH DYNASTY (2613-2498)
- Building of the Pharaoh Khufu's Great Pyramid of Giza, 2560 B.C. in the 4th Dynasty
- DirectorJohn RawlinsStarsMaria MontezJon HallTurhan BeyYoung, lovely Naila becomes queen of the ancient Egyptian kingdom of Khemis after her father is killed in a slave revolt. Continuing her penchant for going incognito among the people, she seeks out rebel leader Herua. But through palace treachery, she herself is captured and enslaved. After various adventures, she finds herself rescued by (and attracted to) the very rebel she was seeking. Will gratitude or revenge win out? Gorgeous scenery and costumes.Following the murder of her father, Queen Naila of Khemis is enslaved.
- DirectorMichael CurtizStarsJean SimmonsVictor MatureGene TierneyIn ancient Egypt, a poor orphan becomes a genial physician and is eventually appointed at the Pharaoh's court where he witnesses palace intrigues and learns dangerous royal secrets.EIGHTEENTH DYNASTY (c. 1550 - 1292)
- Story of physician Sinuhe in Akhenaten's reign, 1352-1334 B.C. of the 18th Dynasty
- DirectorFernando CerchioStarsJeanne CrainVincent PriceEdmund PurdomChronicles the rise and fall of the woman who eventually became known as Queen Nefertiti.
- Queen Nefertiti, wife of Akhenaaten1 (reigned 1352- 1334 BC) of the 18th Dynasty
- StarsBen KingsleyAvan JogiaSibylla DeenA largely fictional mini-series based on a legendary teenage Pharaoh of Ancient Egypt.
- Tutankhamun, aka The Boy King, (ruled 1333-1324), and was only 17 years old when he died
- DirectorJerzy KawalerowiczStarsJerzy ZelnikWieslawa MazurkiewiczBarbara BrylskaYoung Pharaoh Ramses XIII clashes with Egypt's clergy over influence on the affairs of the state and its coffers.TWENTY-FIRST DYNASTY (1077 -0943)
- Polish film set in Egypt in 1069 BC of the 21st Dynasty; Smendes I (reigned 1077-1051 BC)
- DirectorHarmon JonesStarsDebra PagetJeffrey HunterMichael RennieIn 1249, an Egyptian princess allies herself with the son of the Caliph of Baghdad in order to rid Egypt of its Bedouin invaders.MAMLUK SULTANATE (1250 AD1517)
- c. 1249 AD, an Egyptian princess tries to drive out the Bedouin conquerors; Bedouins were a predominantly desert-dwelling Arabian ethnic group
- DirectorAtef SalemStarsNabila EbeidMohamed El SebaiAminah RizqAfter suffering Egyptians from the oppression of the Mamluks and despotism clump the people and organize popular resistance to eliminate them and get rid of the ruling Circassians and the commander of his bodyguards Aybak, joins Alhabiban Ahmad and Qamar resistance despite suffering colors they receive, designed Ahmed to avenge the death of his mother on their hands, achieved guerrilla dream he is condemned the country's young people from Egyptians are free.
- royal bodyguard in the 13th century; in 1250 a Mameluke, Qutuz, came to the Egyptian throne; Mameluke sultans ruled Egypt; conquered by the Ottomans in 1517
- DirectorMu FeiStarsHuaiqiu TangYi ZhangQi ChenThe life story of the highly-influential Chinese philosopher, Confucius.II.2. CHINA (UNIFICATION OF CHINA)
- eastern Zhou Dynasty (770-256 BC) -- characterized by a breakup of Zhou territory into states that were largely independent; capital moved eastward in 770 BC from Haojing to Chengzhou
- DirectorMei HuStarsChow Yun-FatXun ZhouJianbin ChenThe life story of the highly-influential Chinese philosopher, Confucius.
- Chinese philosopher Confucius (551-479 BC) developed an ethical and philosophical system that in the Han Dynasty developed metaphysical and cosmological elements
- DirectorKaige ChenStarsYou GeXueqi WangXiaoming HuangTo save the only child of the Zhao Family, whose entire clan was massacred at the hands of a nefarious minister, a doctor sacrifices his own son; after the Zhao child grows up, the doctor becomes intent on seeking his vengeance.
- To save the only child of the Zhao Family, whose entire clan was massacred, a doctor sacrifices his own son and later seeks vengeance; set in the Jin State
- DirectorChi Leung 'Jacob' CheungStarsAndy LauAhn Sung-kiZhiwen WangStory centers on a battle during China's Warring States Period, a series of civil wars, which spanned from the 5th to the 3rd century B.C. Based on a popular Japanese manga, which was in turn based a Japanese novel inspired by Warring States history in China.WARRING STATES PERIOD (475-221 BC) -- most of this period coincides with the second half of the Eastern Zhou Dynasty, although the Chinese sovereign (king of Zhou) was merely a figurehead.
- film set amid the Warring States period
- DirectorSiu-Tung ChingStarsKelly ChenDonnie YenLeon LaiAfter the death of her father, a woman is forced to take over as empress and fight to save her kingdom.
- the leader of the very war-liking Yan, one of the Ten Kingdoms, dies and is replaced by his daughter, while facing lots of resistance against her
- DirectorKaige ChenStarsGong LiFengyi ZhangZhou SunIn pre-unified China, the King of Qin sends his concubine to a rival kingdom to produce an assassin for a political plot, but as the king's cruelty mounts she finds her loyalty faltering.QIN DYNASTY (221- 207 BC)
- 221 B.C. unification of China
- DirectorXiaowen ZhouStarsWen JiangYou GeQing XuEpic drama about China's first emperor (221 BC) who struggles to make his childhood best friend, now China's greatest composer, succumb to his will and compose a grand anthem to his exploits.
- unification of China
- DirectorYimou ZhangStarsJet LiTony Leung Chiu-waiMaggie CheungA defense officer, Nameless, was summoned by the King of Qin regarding his success of terminating three warriors.
- four assassins plot to assassinate the King of Qin (who has the potential to unify the warring states into a nation)
- DirectorSiu-Tung ChingStarsYimou ZhangGong LiTian-Ming WuChina 2.200 years ago. It's the time of the Qin dynasty. The emperor seeks immortality by busily letting his alchemists search for a formula and building the famous terracotta army from the bodies of outlaws and the condemned. This is the time Mong Tiang Fong and court lady Twon fall deeply in love. Such a thing is not tolerated at the court and when their relationship is discovered both are sentenced to death. In the meantime the alchemists have discovered the formula of immortality, but decide to destroy their work. However Twon gets possession of one immortality pill which she manages to give to Tiang Fong before he's made a terracotta warrior too. China 1930. While on location a film crew discovers parts of the grave of emperor Qin guarded by the terracotta warriors. Tiang Fong, being immortal, awakes...
- in the Qin Dynasty the emperor builds an army of terra-cotta warriors
- DirectorDaniel LeeStarsShaofeng FengLeon LaiHanyu ZhangWhite Vengeance tells the story of two brothers contending for supremacy during the fall of the Qin Dynasty, which ruled Imperial China from 221 to 206 BC. As rebels rose, the nation fell into chaos. Liu Bang (Leon Lai) and Xiang Yu (Feng Shaofeng), became leaders of the rebellious army, and also became sworn brothers in battle. Xiang Yu and Liu Bang are close friends who both serve King Huai of Chu. King Huai uses a plot, saying that whoever can subvert the Qin kingdom in Guanzhong would be the Lord Qin, in order to benefit from the competition between Xiang Yu and Liu Bang. Xiang Yu is over-confident. He fights against the main force of Qin army, and entrusts Liu Bang with Yu Ji (Liu Yifei), the woman he loves. Liu Bang expresses his love to Yu Ji and takes the chance to invade Guanzhong first when most of Qin army is outside fighting against Xiang Yu's army. Xiang Yu is furious & betrayed when he found it. Xiang planned to kill Liu at a banquet held in Hong Men, during which Zhang Liang (Zhang Hanyu), the mastermind of Liu Bang, and Fan Zeng (Anthony Wong), the mastermind of Xiang Yu, have a direct confrontation. But who will emerge as the winner from this epic battle and survive to claim their path to the crown?
- in an interregnum period between the Qin and Han Dynasties, two generals, sworn brothers, contend for supremacy in the ChuHan Contention (206-202 BC)
- DirectorChuan LuStarsYe LiuDaniel WuChang ChenThe story of two warring generals (Liu Bang and Xiang Yu) fighting for control of China at the end of the Qin Dynasty.
- story of two warring generals (Liu Bang and Xiang Yu) fighting for control of China at the end of the Qin Dynasty
- DirectorStephen ShinStarsRay LuiRosamund KwanGong LiInsurrection deposes the tyrannical first emperor of China during the evil Qin Dynasty. Warrior/general Xiang Yu and the cunning peasant Liu Pang join forces to win through civil war. Xiang Yu's weakness for Lady Yu combine with Liu Pang's treachery result in Liu founding the legendary Han dynasty.HAN DYNASTY (206 BC - 8 AD)
- Xian Yu and Liu Pang depose Qin Dynasty
- DirectorJohn WooStarsTony Leung Chiu-waiTakeshi KaneshiroFengyi ZhangThe first chapter of a two-part story centered on a battle fought in China's Three Kingdoms period (220-280 A.D.).HAN DYNASTY CONTINUATION/EASTERN HAN DYNASTY (25-220)
- Prime Minister Cao Cao plans to usurp the Han dynasty throne after he defeats any possible allies of the Han Emperor, but that will prove a difficult task (winter of 208/209)
- DirectorFelix ChongAlan MakStarsDonnie YenWen JiangLi SunThe story of legendary Guan Yu crossing five passes & slaying six generals. He played a major role in the civil war that led to the collapse of Han Dynasty & the establishment of Shu Han of the 3 Kingdoms, making Liu Bei its first emperor.
- legendary Guan Yu slays six generals in the civil war that led to the collapse of Han Dynasty & the establishment of Shu Han of the 3 Kingdoms period, making Liu Bei its first emperor, 219
- DirectorZhi GuoStarsLifu WangWang GengXiaorui ZhaoThe story of Modu Chanyu, the founder of the Xiongnu Empire. Sent off as a hostage to a neighboring kingdom as a child his father wants him dead so dispatches an army to attack that kingdom with the hope that they will kill Modu so that his youngest son, by another mother, will succeed him. Modu escapes with the help of a young girl, JiuJiu, and the story of the founding of a unified Mongolian empire begins.MONGOLIA
- DirectorLekh TandonStarsVyjayanthimalaSunil DuttPremnath MalhotraA victory over neighboring state Vaishai has always eluded Magadh Samrat Ajaatshatru despite being winning and taking control over all neighboring states. He attacks Vaishali only get defeated again. Wounded, lost and on the run, Ajaatshatru dons the guise of a Vaishali soldier and takes shelter with a woman named Amrapali and they fall in love with each other. Ajaatshatru finds an ally in Senapati Balbadhra Singh and both start a plot to gain control of Vaishali. Vaishali Samrat comes to know about Ajaatshatru and Amrapali's liaison with him, he sentences her with a death penalty. Ajaatshatru is enraged at this, he gathers together his armies and storms the unsuspecting Vaishali and virtually burns the city down, killing almost everyone in it. This accomplished, he rushes to free his beloved from the dungeons. He does set her free but it is not the same Amrapali; this Amrapali is quite different. She is not at all thrilled to be in the presence of her conqueror lover. She teaches him what he won in the battle ground but what he lost in reality.II.3. INDIA.
HARYANKA DYNASTY/SHISHUNAGA DYNASTY(684-424 BC)- Bimbisara (544491 BC), founder of the first Magadhan empire, fights for the beautiful Amrapali, royal courtesan of the republic of Vaishali
- DirectorSohrab ModiStarsSohrab ModiPrithviraj KapoorVanamalaThe story is set in 326 B.C. The film begins after Alexander the Great (Sikander in Hindi/Urdu) conquers Persia and the Kabul valley and approaches the Indian border at Jhelum. He respects Aristotle and loves Persian Rukhsana (known in the west as Roxana).NANDA DYNASTY (424-321 BC)
- Alexander the Great's conquests in North-Western India. (in Urdu language with English subtitles)
- DirectorBabubhai MistryStarsNirupa RoyBharat BhushanBrij Mohan VyasThis movie depicts the personal life of Samrat Chandragupt, his trials, tribulations, and frustrations, as well as the challenges he faces to reclaim his kingdom; face-off the threat from Sikander; enlist the assistance of the Yunani Greeks; his love for Helena; and be forced to make a decision of beheading his own mother as per the laws of the land.MAURYAN EMPIRE: 321-185 B.C.
- Indian emperor befriends, but then defeats Alexander the Great, establishing the Maurya Empire (321 - 185 BC)
- DirectorJayant Desai
- ancient, pre-Islamic India; ruler from 320-298 BC
- DirectorAbdul Rashid KardarStarsSabita DeviGul HamidMazhar Khan
- founder of Mauryan Empire, originating from Magadha kingdom in modern Bihar, eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bengal in e. India
- DirectorSantosh SivanStarsShah Rukh KhanKareena KapoorDanny DenzongpaThe epic tale of King Asoka's life is recounted.
- India after the age of Alexander the Great, Emperor Asoka (273-232 B.C.)
- DirectorVijayStarsRajkumarVajramuniK.S. AshwathThe movie presents the story of a saintly boy who realises his royal connections and his return to his rightful placeGUPTA DYNASTY (c. 240-550 AD)
- King Mayurasharma (345 - 365 C.E.), a Brahmin scholar & founder of the Kadamba Kingdom of Banavasi, the earliest native kingdom to rule over what is today the modern state of Karnataka
- DirectorPrimo ZeglioStarsYvonne FurneauxJohn EricsonRenzo RicciStory of an ancient Assyrian queen that supposedly took place around 810 B.C.II.4. IRAQ.
BABYLON- woman fights for power in Assyrian empire and begins re-building the city of Babylon; Ninth Dynasty of Babylon, around 811 BC
- DirectorCarlo Ludovico BragagliaStarsRhonda FlemingRicardo MontalbanRoldano LupiBeautiful goatherd helps Chaldean rebel fight evil king in ancient Babylon.
- Babylon rebels against the Assyrian empire, 626 B.C.
- DirectorFernando CerchioStarsMassimo GirottiIsabelle CoreyRenato BaldiniA beautiful girl plans to seduce, then murder, the brutal conqueror who has taken over her city.
- girl gives herself to cruel Assyrian tyrant who has conquered her city in order to overthrow him
- DirectorSilvio AmadioStarsHoward DuffJocelyn LaneLuciano MarinNoble, wise King Sardanapolo and his more soft and naive younger brother Prince Sammash get into a bitter feud over the affections of sweet and alluring innocent peasant girl Mirra. Meanwhile, the treacherous and ruthlessly ambitious General Arbace plots against both siblings.
- in the later years of the Assyrian Empire, there is conflict between King Ashurbanipal (reign 668 c. 627 BC) and his brother Shamash-shum-ukin (English & Italian languages)
- DirectorSiro MarcelliniStarsGordon ScottGeneviève GradMoira OrfeiThe rightful heir to the throne of Babylon leads a slave revolt against an evil ruler.
- last Mesopotamian king of Babylon, Nabonidus (reign 556-539), left rule to his son Belshazzar, and Babylon is overthrown by Cyrus the Great of Persia (Italian and Spanish languages; no subtitles)
- DirectorD.W. GriffithStarsLillian GishRobert HarronMae MarshThe story of a poor young woman separated by prejudice from her husband and baby is interwoven with tales of intolerance from throughout history.
- first of four stories deals with intolerance in Babylon that leads to its fall to the Persians, 539 B.C.
- DirectorErmanno OlmiStarsPaul ScofieldAnnabi AbdelialilOmero AntonuttiAn all-enveloping darkness. Suddenly, a child's voice, frightened, questioning, pierces the darkness... The first flickering rays of light begin to sculpt mysterious shapes out of the darkness ... Among them, a very old man. He reassures the child, exhorting him to see the wonders of the earth. And it is with this child's eyes that we will witness the creation of the world. Nature comes to life at the first light of dawn, recreating the seven days of the Creation. Adam appears, and is soon joined by Eve. Paradise could be theirs, but as time goes by, they grow restless, inquisitive... They approach the Tree of Knowledge - and discover pain, suffering and mortality. Their sons Cain and Abel play out a story that will continue to darken the Creation until the end of time. And angered by the corruption of Cain's progeny, by the lust and greed ruling the cities, God vows to wipe away his creatures and begin anew. With Noah and his family. The ark is built, the animals led into their pens, and the rain begins beating on the timbers, flooding the land, bringing fear and death. When the rains have devastated the world, the waters recede, the ark touches ground, and the dove sent out by Noah returns with an olive branch - the sign of new life and of a new pact with God.THE BIBLE - OLD TESTAMENT
- StarsMartin LandauJacqueline BissetBilly CampbellBiblical tales from the books of Genesis and Exodus, including the stories of Abraham's devotion and Joseph's betrayal.
- from creation to Moses
- DirectorJohn HustonStarsMichael ParksUlla BergrydRichard HarrisExtravagant production of the first part of the book of Genesis. Its main highlights are the Garden of Eden, the first brothers, Noah and his family obeying God to build an ark for the Flood and Abraham's attempted sacrifice of Isaac.
- first 22 Books of Genesis (Adam & Eve, Noah, Tower of Babel, Abraham, Sarah and Isaac)
- StarsRichard HarrisBarbara HersheyMaximilian SchellAbram a tribal leader denies all the local deities and finds the true God. Through many trials and tribulations he strengthens his faith.
- Abraham, the founding patriarch of the Israelites, through his son Isaac (some time between 2000 and 1700 B.C.)
- DirectorGeorge RolandStarsJacob Ben-AmiNatalie BrowningM.B. SamuylowA German-Jewish artist encounters German anti-semitism when his masterpiece is rejected by the Berlin Academy of Art. Later, the figure in the painting comes to life and tells him the history of the Jews' persecution. This unusual film ends with footage of an anti-Hitler rally at New York City's Madison Square Garden.
- DirectorMichael CurtizDarryl F. ZanuckStarsDolores CostelloGeorge O'BrienNoah BeeryThe Biblical story of Noah and the Great Flood, with a parallel story of soldiers in the First World War.
- The story starts as a World War I drama. Someone draws a comparison between the terrible situation in WWI with the troubles of Noah. So two stories are told.
- StarsJon VoightMary SteenburgenF. Murray AbrahamAdaptation of the Biblical stories of Noah and Lot and how God destroyed the world due to the wickedness of mankind.
- Biblical story of the Great Flood and Noah
- DirectorWolfgang LiebeneinerStarsHans Hermann SchaufußMalte PetzelEva Christian
- made for TV movie
- DirectorRobert AldrichSergio LeoneStarsStewart GrangerPier AngeliStanley BakerSex, torture, and betrayal in Biblical Sodom and Gomorrah. Lot, leader of the Hebrews, believes that his people can co-exist with the Sodomites--a disastrous decision.
- DirectorMichael CurtizStarsGeorg ReimersVictor VarconiLucy DoraineWhen the old multimillionaire Jackson Harber wants to marry the young model Mary, she hesitates, but her mother convinces her that this is her chance to lead a life in luxury and leisure. The engagement is celebrated with an extravagant party at his estate, which is a gigantic palace and park in oriental style. His son Eduard arrives from Cambridge, accompanied by a priest, who is his tutor. The priest is disgusted by the bacchanalian reveling and womanizing going on everywhere. Mary's adorer, the sculptor Harry Lighton, tries to convince her to break the engagement. When she refuses, he shoots himself and is seriously injured. Mary falls asleep and is transported in her dream to the Biblical story of Sodom and Gomorrah. In the dream she sees herself as the wife of Lot, leaving her husband to play a central role in the excessive rites of the goddess Astarte. An angel arrives and leads Lot and his wife out of Sodom, just when the city starts to collapse. Lot's wife cannot resist looking back, and is because of her disobedience converted into a pillar of salt. The dream opens the eyes of Mary, and when she wakens, she leaves the party and hastens to Harry in the hospital.
- DirectorPeter HallStarsMatthew ModineLara Flynn BoyleSean BeanIn the foreign land of Canaan lives Isaac, son of Abraham, with his clever, strong-willed wife Rebekah and his twin sons Esau and Jacob. The first-born, Esau, is a strong and fearless hunter with a voracious appetite for sensual pleasures. Jacob is a shepherd, more tender and compassionate han Esau. Just as Esau is the pride of his father, so is Jacob the apple of his mother's eye. Rebekah is convinced that Jacob, though the second born son, is the chosen one and the rightful heir of Isaac and Abraham. And she tells him that when she was with child, God announced to her: "Two nations are within thy womb. Two manner of men shall be delivered to you. The one shall be stronger than the other and the elder shall serve the younger". One day Esau returns from a hunt to find Jacob preparing a lentil porridge. Famished, he asks Jacob for some food. Jacob agrees, but on one condition: that Esau sell him his birthright. Since Esau ascribes little value to its meaning, he readily agrees and they conclude the pact. Time has passed. Isaac has grown old and nearly blind. It is time to pass on his paternal blessing to the firstborn. He asks Esau to hunt and prepare some game for him, after which he will give him his blessing. Rebekah knows she must act now. Cornering Jacob, she pressures him into deceiving Isaac so that he obtains the blessing instead of Esau. Jacob resists, but when Rebekah vows to take the blame for this ploy, he finally consents. And thus does Jacob trick his father. When Esau returns from the hunt and appears before his father, he explodes in anger when he learns of the scheme. Having obtained only a lesser blessing from Isaac, he vows to kill Jacob as soon as his father passes away. Isaac, following Rebekah's suggestion, advises Jacob to flee to Harran, to the home of Laban - Rebekah's brother, and to ask him to marry one of his daughters. Laden with gold, silver, skins, spices and oils, Jacob sadly leaves his home and his loved ones. Soon, however, he realizes that he is being followed: a Canaanite, one of Esau's brothers-in-law, robs him of the treasure that was to be his dowry. One night, as he is asleep, Jacob has a vision of a stairway with angel-like figures on it. During this vision God promises him protection and prosperity. The next morning, Jacob swears to remain faithful and devoted to God. After an arduous journey, Jacob arrives in Harran. Haggard and drained of his strength, he immediately forgets his fatigue when he sees a pretty young girl at the fountain. The girl is Rachel, the youngest daughter of his uncle Laban. And Jacob falls head over heels in love with her. Though Laban greets his nephew heartily, he cannot conceal his disappointment that Jacob has arrived without any gifts. Laban's two sons, Morash and Be'or, are less delighted by Jacob's arrival. Jacob soon asks Laban to let him marry Rachel, and he even accepts Laban's rigorous conditions: that Jacob become his indentured servant for a full seven years. Jacob proves to be a singularly successful herdsman and contributes mightily to the welfare of Laban's people. Thus after seven years, Laban is unwilling to let him leave and devises a cunning scheme... When Jacob awakens on the morning following the consummation of his marriage with Rachel, he is horrified to discover that he has slept with Rachel's older sister Leah instead. Laban forced Leah to take her sister's place in the dark tent. As Jacob rages, Laban claims that according to the law of the land, a father must marry off his older daughter first. He is willing, however, to make Jacob another offer: for another seven years in his service, he can take Rachel as his wife in one week's time. And again, Laban and his people enjoy seven more years of rich harvests and expanding flocks, all thanks to Jacob's superior abilities. But while the unloved Leah bears Jacob many children, Rachel, his one and only love, remains barren for many years, until Joseph finally sees the light of day. After his second period of indenture is over, Jacob strikes another deal with Laban, whereby he is allowed to assemble his own herd. His prosperity soon sparks the envy of Laban's sons Morash and Be'or, who accuse Jacob of deceiving them and of stealing their property. Jacob decides it is time to move back to Canaan, and flees with his wives, children and servants. As soon as Laban hears about their escape, he rounds up his sons and his men and gives chase. He finally meets up with Jacob on Mount Gilead. But before he can reach Jacob, God appears to Laban and warns him not to harm Jacob or his people. Jacob's most grueling ordeal, however, still awaits him: his meeting with his brother Esau. Fearing that Esau still intends to kill him, Jacob sends messengers with gifts to his brother to announce his coming. The messengers return sooner than expected, reporting that Esau is already on his way to meet him - with 400 armed men. Jacob sets up camp on the banks of the river Jabbok. That night, while his people await Esau with fear and trembling, Jacob withdraws to collect himself on the other side of the river. There Jacob is attacked by a mysterious being whom he cannot identify. It is an angel. As the struggle intensifies and the angel realizes that he cannot subdue Jacob, he strikes him fiercely on the hip. But Jacob, who gradually realizes who his adversary is, continues to grapple with him and refuses to relinquish his hold until the angel has blessed him. Ultimately the angel yields and gives Jacob the blessing together with the new name of "Israel". He thus confirms Jacob's right to the blessing which he originally obtained by deceit. The following morning, as Esau's army approaches, Jacob gathers his people behind him and awaits his brother. As Esau arrives at the head of his troops, Jacob humbly throws himself at his brother's feet. Esau breaks the tension by coming towards Jacob with open arms and welcoming him home. Reconciling their past differences, Jacob and Esau embrace.
- the third patriarch of the Hebrew people with whom God made a covenant and ancestor of the tribes of Israel, which were named after his descendants
- DirectorMarcello BaldiStarsGiorgio CerioniJean MorcierJudy ParkerJacob is forced to flee for his life when an enraged Esau vows to kill him in this classic drama.
- DirectorMario LandiStarsEdmund HashimKen ClarkFosco Giachetti
- DirectorMichael CacoyannisStarsKeith MichellTony Lo BiancoColleen DewhurstA movie telling the Biblical stories of the last of the Hebrew Patriarchs in the Book of Genesis.
- Abraham to Isaac to Jacob to Joseph
- StarsBen KingsleyPaul MercurioMartin LandauThe Biblical story of Joseph, who was sold to slavery by his brothers who were jealous of his prophetic abilities to analyze dreams and of his being their father's favorite.
- DirectorIrving RapperLuciano RicciStarsMariettoGeoffrey HorneFinlay CurrieA brother is cast out from his family, sold in to slavery and then returns years later as a man of power - but shows forgiveness and compassion to his family through the strength of character given to him by God.
- DirectorGeorge RolandStarsJoseph GreenBen AdlerSigmund Zuckerberg
- DirectorCecil B. DeMilleStarsCharlton HestonYul BrynnerAnne BaxterMoses, raised as a prince of Egypt in the Pharaoh's household, learns of his true heritage as a Hebrew and his divine mission as the deliverer of his people from slavery.
- Charlton Heston as Moses leading the Jews out of Egypt, around 1275 B.C.
- DirectorCecil B. DeMilleStarsTheodore RobertsCharles de RochefortEstelle TaylorAfter hearing the story of Moses, the sons of a devout Christian mother go their own ways, and the atheist brother's breaking of the Ten Commandments leads to tragedy.
- StarsIrene PapasAharon IpaléYosef ShiloachA biopic of Moses, who led the Jewish people out of Egypt, ex. by parting the Red Sea and afterwards delivered the Ten Commandments from God.
- StarsBen KingsleyFrank LangellaDavid SuchetPharaoh Ramses II decrees the death of all Hebrew children, but Moses, placed in a basket on the Nile by his mother, is picked up by a princess and raised as the brother of the heir to the throne of Egypt.
- DirectorBrenda ChapmanSteve HicknerSimon WellsStarsVal KilmerRalph FiennesMichelle PfeifferEgyptian Prince Moses learns of his identity as a Hebrew and his destiny to become the chosen deliverer of his people.
- animated version of the story of Moses
- DirectorCecil B. DeMilleStarsHedy LamarrVictor MatureGeorge SandersWhen strongman Samson rejects the love of the beautiful Philistine woman Delilah, she seeks vengeance that brings horrible consequences they both regret.
- Cecile B. DeMille with Victor Mature, Hedy Lamarr, somewhere between 1200 and 1000 B.C.
- DirectorLee PhilipsStarsMax von SydowBelinda BauerStephen MachtThe long haired biblical strongman Samson falls in love with beautiful temptress Delilah in Philistine.
- Delilah betrayed by evil Sidka, governor of Gaza
- StarsDennis HopperElizabeth HurleyEric ThalMara and her husband Manoa are both upstanding and religious Israelites living under the harsh and unjust rule of the Philistines. Much to their regret, they have not been able to have children. One day, a mysterious stranger appears to Mara and promises her that she will bear a son whom she is to call Samson. The stranger tells her that as one chosen by God Samson will fight the Philistines, will have immense strength at his disposal, but that he may never cut his hair (or drink alcohol); otherwise this gift will be lost. Samson is born and as foretold he grows into a boy with amazing strength. As time passes, Samson becomes an attractive young man and young women begin to interest him more and more. Naomi, a pretty but rather melancholic girl, falls deeply in love with him. During a walk Samson learns the young woman's story. When she was a small child, her village was exterminated by the Philistines and her whole family butchered. Since then Naomi has not only been in mourning, but she harbors an unbridled desire for retaliation. She tries to convince Samson to join a group of young people planning an insurrection. Samson with his incredible strength could be a symbol, a hero, of this uprising! Initially Samson rejects the idea, but when Naomi provokes a confrontation with the Philistines he naturally hurries to her rescue. Soon the news spreads, not only to the Israelite villages but also to the Philistine royal palace in Gaza, that an Israelite by the name of Samson has killed several Philistines with his bare hands. When King Hanun, his hot-tempered son Sidqa and General Tariq hear this, they are anything but enthusiastic. They deliberate about what can be done to restrain this Samson before a revolt breaks out. Delilah, the king's beautiful, seductive and scheming niece insists on being present during these conversations. Samson is still not fully aware of the role he is supposed to play for his people. God has not yet given him a sign. One day he sneaks into a Philistine camp without having an exact plan on how he is going to proceed against them. Here he sees Delilah for the first time and is immediately fascinated by her. Just at this moment, a wounded desert lion bounds enters the camp and attacks Delilah. Without hesitating, Samson confronts the lion unarmed and after a terrible struggle, overpowers it with his bare hands. For reasons unfathomable to the Philistines who witness this, General Tariq lets the Israelite Samson go free. Like Delilah, the experienced general has been impressed by the scene and is curious to find out what sort of person Samson is. Back in the royal palace Tariq, who has grown wise with age, suggests concluding peace with the Israelites to King Hanun. The General, however, cannot put this idea across against the fierce resistance of Prince Sidqa, who is planning to take Samson prisoner. To accomplish this he bribes two Israelites, Jehiel and Amram childhood companions of Samson's. The pair, sons of Samson's friend and mentor Ira, are jealous of Samson because they would like to assume the leadership of the Israelites themselves. They see their position endangered by Samson and are only too happy to get rid of him. Initially, the plan seems to work and Samson is caught in a trap. Thanks to his strength, he succeeds in breaking free and fleeing from his captors. With Yoram's help Samson manages to hide in Ira's home. When Samson and Ira learn that Jehiel and Amram, of all people are behind the attempt on Samson's life, Ira disowns his sons. Angered and dissapointed by the betrayal of his own people Samson flees into the desert. There, he comes upon the corpse of the lion he killed and sees that bees have nested in it. Samson is so hungry that he contravenes God's command and eats the impure honey. From now on Samson will stray from the path of righteousness and will only find his way back after taking many risks and suffering much pain. In the desert, Samson encounters Amrok, an Israelite, who has been raised by the Philistines like one of their own. Amrok invites Samson to the village of his foster-father Harach, where Samson, much to his amazement, is very warmly received. Samson is surprised to be received in such a friendly manner by Harach and his family. His concept of the Philistines as enemies threatens to collapse, especially after he sets eyes on Rani, Harach's pretty and delightful daughter. Samson and Rani are immediately strongly attracted to each other and after Harach and even King Hanun have declared their consent, Samson and Rani decide to marry. A solemn wedding banquet is to crown the ceremony. The King even sends thirty Philistines to preside at the function. During the course of the festivities, the atmosphere becomes very lively and Samson poses a riddle promising the one who guesses the answer thirty sheep and festive attire. After being put under pressure by Mahal, the leader of the Philistine wedding group, Rani discloses the answer to the riddle. Angered and disappointed by this betrayal, Samson slays the thirty Philistines so that Mahal can have their clothes as a reward. Samson's vengeance is not yet over: in his anger he sets the fields of the Philistines on fire, conjuring up an even greater disaster. Following orders from Prince Sidqa, Mahal kills Rani and Harach for having betrayed their people As Samson visits the town Rani came from, Amrok tells him about the atrocities committed by Mahal. Samson, deeply moved by all this suffering, suddenly has a vague premonition that all is not well at home and decides to return to his parents. He arrives home to find his father Manoa on his deathbed. Shortly before Manoa passes away, father and son who have been estranged ever since Samson's marriage to Rani, reconcile. After Manoa's death, Samson hastily sets off again. He knows the Philistine henchmen cannot be far off and his does not want to endanger his mother. When Samson finally arrives in Gaza he sets about searching for the traitor Mahal, and once he has found him, kills him. The Philistines are alarmed when they hear that Samson is supposedly in the city. To cut off all routes of escape, they close the city gates. They are dismayed when they discover that the gates, weighing tons, have been lifted off their hinges and that Samson has disappeared. Since Samson apparently cannot be captured by conventional means, the royal court decides to use a woman's charms instead. Delilah is promised jewels and wealth to seduce Samson and worm out of him the secret of his supernatural strength. The inevitable comes to pass: Samson falls in love with the bewitching Delilah. The enchantress plays her part well and after much cajoling and teasing, she gets Samson to disclose his big secret: If his long hair were to be shorn he would lose all his strength. Although Delilah has to struggle with her feelings she finally cuts off his hair, thus enabling the Philistines to take Samson prisoner. Once they have him captured, they blind him for good measure. While languishing in prison, a blind and helpless Samson finally becomes conscious of his numerous mistakes and presumptuousness and recognizes God's greatness. Through his sufferings, the once proud and reckless youth matures into a humble and truly religious man. While performing forced labor every day, he prays that his hair will soon grow back so that he can fulfil his calling. In the meantime the Israelites under the leadership of Jehiel and Amram, instigate a revolt against the Philistines. This uprising is mercilessly crushed by General Tariq. Naomi is among the few survivors. She desperately wants to see Samson one more time. Overcoming all feelings of bitterness Naomi goes to Delilah to ask for her help. Delilah, whose conscience gives her no peace, is prepared to help Naomi, if Naomi can convince Samson to forgive her. A sumptuous feast is held in the temple of the Philistine god, Dagon. The highlight of the festivities is to be the presentation of the tamed and helpless Samson. During the course of the festivities, Delilah manages to speak to Samson. Blind and unsuspecting, and assuming she is Naomi, Samson gives Delilah a kiss of forgiveness on the forehead. The time has now come for him to complete his task. Samson, who has regained his strength, braces himself against the pillars of the temple and brings the walls of the whole temple tumbling down. While young Yoram, Naomi and Delilah are able to flee at the very last moment, the massive walls forever bury Samson, King Hanun and his son Prince Sidqa, General Tariq and countless Philistines beneath them.
- DirectorHenry KosterStarsElana EdenStuart WhitmanTom TryonInspired by the scriptural tale. Moabitess priestess Ruth is drawn both to a Judean man and to his talk of a forgiving God. After tragedy strikes, she begins a new life in Bethlehem.
- grandmother of King David
- DirectorFerdinando BaldiRichard PottierOrson WellesStarsOrson WellesIvica PajerEleonora Rossi DragoKing Saul of the Israelites is visited in Jerusalem by the Prophet Samuel who foretells him that a war with The Philistines is inevitable and the shepherd David will become king.
- David kills the giant Philistine
- DirectorBruce BeresfordStarsRichard GereEdward WoodwardAlice KrigeThe Biblical story of Israel's greatest King.
- King of Israel (ruler from 1000 -960 B.C.)
- StarsMaurice RoëvesGina BellmanLina SastriThe tribes of Israel need to defeat the superior might of the Philistines: "Now appoint a king to lead us, such as all the other nations have." (I Samuel, 8:5). And so the prophet Samuel gives the Hebrews their first king, Saul, a simple farmer, who with God's help becomes a brave and mighty warlord who leads the united tribes of Israel against their enemies. Saul, however, has incessant doubts about his mission. Not trustful enough of divine wisdom, he acts of his own accord and thus sins against the Lord. The influential prophet Samuel turns away from Saul in order to select a new king according to God's will: David. He is still a young boy, tending sheep in the fields, when, secretly Samuel oints him as the next king of the Israelites. When David - as courageous as he is intelligent - emerges victorious from his encounter with Goliath, the Philistines' most powerful warrior, he becomes a hero. His fame arouses the jealousy of King Saul, who senses that David is going to dispute his right to be king - and tries to kill him. David flees from Saul, and finds many supporters and loyal companions who believe that he is destined to be king. In exile, David waits for his time to come, since he does not want to take the place of Saul by violence. He is young and in the prime of his strength, while King Saul is a broken man. When Saul falls upon his sword after losing a battle, David's hour is at hand. The new King David conquers Jerusalem. The magnificent city is to become the royal residence for the glorious hero, who now plans to leave the business of war to others in future and to become a King of Peace. However, this temperamental man, with so many years of battle behind him and still in the bloom of youth, is not predestined for a quiet, orderly life at all. Very soon he plunges into an illicit love affair with Bathsheba, a married woman - an affair that threatens to become the king's undoing when it turns out that she is expecting his child. To conceal his adulterous fatherhood, the king sends Bathsheba's husband Uriah - one of his best and most loyal soldiers - to his death, and then marries her. The prophet and royal adviser Nathan announces to David that his act will result in divine punishment: the Lord will not countenance such an outrage. Violence and evil will continue in David's own family and bring disaster upon the heads of the numerous sons born to David from his wives and concubines. Then the child of David and Bathsheba dies. She gives him another son, Solomon, but very soon David suffers another sharp blow of fate: his grown-up son Absalom kills one of his brothers for the latter's rape of his sister. David is far too mild in response to this: not only does he fail to bring the incestuous seducer to justice, he also leaves the fratricide unpunished. The king does not realise that he is gradually losing control over his family, and that his hold on the people is also growing weaker. For David is obsessed with his plan of building the finest and largest temple in the world in Jerusalem. He demands immense sums from the populace for this project, even though God has commanded him to leave the completion of the building to his successors. David's ambitious son Absalom thus finds it very easy to drum up support for a conspiracy against his father. After a fierce battle, culminating in Absalom's death, David makes it back to Jerusalem.
- David survives King Saul, adultery and internal divisions in his family to bring his son Solomon to be king after him
- DirectorJohan De MeesterKees van LangeraadStarsEli BlomKees CoolenJules Croiset
- Dutch film about King David
- DirectorMarcello BaldiStarsNorman WoolandGianni GarkoLuz MárquezDavid of Bethlehem slays the giant and becomes a rival to King Saul.
- David's life with King Saul, the first king of the united Kingdom of Israel
- DirectorHenry KingStarsGregory PeckSusan HaywardRaymond MasseyAfter King David sees the beautiful Bathsheba bathing from the palace roof, he enters into an adulterous affair which has tragic consequences for his family and Israel.
- King David steals himself a wife
- DirectorDavid Lowell RichAlex SegalStarsTimothy BottomsAnthony QuayleNorman RodwayHe was the chosen king who loved God and committed the acts of sin.
- DirectorKing VidorStarsYul BrynnerGina LollobrigidaGeorge SandersAfter becoming king of ancient Israel, Solomon faces threats coming from his jealous dispossessed brother Adonijah, the Egyptian Pharaoh and the scheming Queen of Sheba.
- supposed relationship between King Solomon (960-928) & the Queen of Sheba
- DirectorRobert M. YoungStarsHalle BerryJimmy SmitsNickolas GraceQueen of Sheba goes on a secret business trip to meet king Solomon.
- Halle Berry as the Queen of Sheba
- DirectorPietro FrancisciStarsLeonora RuffoGino CerviGino LeuriniThe Queen of Sheba falls in love with the King of Israel. The King of Israel, however, is in love with someone else.
- Italian black & white that should have been called Rehoboam and Sheba
- StarsBen CrossRichard DillaneAnouk AiméeDavid, now an old man, is still king of Israel. Among his sons, the ambitious Adonijah and the clever Solomon.
- a king of Israel (970 to 931 BC) and the son of David; the third king of the United Monarchy and the final king before the northern Kingdom of Israel and the southern Kingdom of Judah split
- DirectorReginald Le BorgStarsPaulette GoddardGeorge NaderEduard FranzThe aging Ahab, king of Israel, comes under the influence of a young and beautiful but scheming pagan woman named Jezebel and, against the advice of his advisers and the prophet Elijah, marries her. Her plan to introduce her pagan idols to Israel angers God, who decides to wreak vengeance on Israel.
- Jezebel was a princess, the daughter of Ethbaal, King of Tyre, and the wife of Ahab, king of north Israel; her paganism angers Prophet Elijah
- DirectorHarry WinerStarsPatrick DempseyOliver ReedKlaus Maria BrandauerJeremiah tells the story of the prophet who abandons his family and the woman he loves in order to relay God's message in Jerusalem, starring Patrick Dempsey and Oliver Reed.
- the prophet beginning 628 B.C.
- DirectorRaoul WalshMario BavaStarsJoan CollinsRichard EganDenis O'DeaTwo decades before she would gain fame and some fortune as Alexis Carrington on Dynasty (1981), Dame Joan Collins starred as Esther in this melodramatic, routine Biblical story. The setting is Persia in the fourth century B.C., as Esther comes to the attention of the recently widowed King Ahasuerus. The King has been trying to stifle and defeat the campaign of hatred fomented against the Jews by his evil minister Haman (Sergio Fantoni). Before the King can pair off with Esther and defeat the villainous Haman, there are several intervening adventures and an additional, attractive woman who competes for attention.
- Esther saves the Jews of 4th c. B.C. Persia (Joan Collins as Esther)
- DirectorRaffaele MertesStarsLouise LombardF. Murray AbrahamJürgen ProchnowThe Bible story of Esther starring Louise Lombard, F. Murray Abraham and Jurgen Prochnow.
- remake of Esther and the King (Louise Lombard as Esther)
- DirectorAmos GitaiStarsSimone BenyaminiMohammad BakriJuliano Mer-KhamisAhasverus, king of Persia and Media, puts aside Vashti and makes Esther his queen, choosing her among maidens in a kingdom stretching from India to Ethiopia. Esther, using information from Mordecai, her uncle and patron, saves the king from assassination. Haman, the king's favorite, is miffed when Mordecai won't bow to him, so he orders death to all Jews in the kingdom, under the seal of the king. Esther pleads for her people, and Mordecai is in turn given license to make his own edict under the king's seal. Mordecai loses sight of his original intention, and bloody murder ensues. Purim annually celebrates the story. At the end of the film, the actors comment.
- (Simone Benyamini as Esther)
- DirectorMichael O. SajbelStarsTiffany DupontLuke GossJohn NobleIn Biblical times, a girl disguises her Jewish origins when the Persian king comes looking for a new bride among his subjects.
- Esther saves the Jewish nation (Tiffany Dupont as Esther)
- DirectorLeo PennStarsOlivia HusseyTony MusanteHarris YulinAired as a one-hour special on ABC-TV, this drama told the Old Testament story of a young queen who had to defend both herself and her people after a power-mad advisor convinces her husband that she must die. The story had Jewish girl Esther marrying King Ahasuerus, whose minister Haman tried to kill him. The plot was thwarted by a Jew. To get revenge, Haman convinces the king that the Jews are a threat to his throne, although neither man knows that beautiful young Esther is also Jewish. Since the king's order to kill her people cannot be reversed, the queen has to find a way to save her people and at the same time reveal to the king the true nature of the treacherous Haman. A well-done television drama, the program's familiar plot line had been used before for the features QUEEN ESTHER and ESTHER AND THE KING.
- ABC one-hour special (Olivia Hussey as Esther)
- DirectorDennis Agle Jr.Aaron EdsonStarsDallyn Vail BaylesLori BroadheadErik DentonWhen a modern-day girl faces a big challenge in her life, her mother teaches her about the power of fasting by sharing the story of a heroine from the Bible. Your whole family will enjoy this musical journey into Amelia's imagination as she brings to life the amazing story of Esther, an orphan raised by a relative named Mordecai, as she is chose from all the maidens in the land to become queen. While this is where most fairy tales end, it's just the beginning of the true story of Esther, who must risk her life to save her people from a treacherous plan of the charmingly wicked prince Haman. Featuring all new original music by Aaron Edson, this is a story that will tickle your funny bone and touch your heart.
- mother tells her daughter about the great Esther (Summer Naomi Smart as Esther)
- DirectorSilvio AmadioStarsBob MathiasRosanna SchiaffinoAlberto LupoA mythological hero attempts to rescue a princess from being sacrificed to a half-man, half-bull creature.III. LATER CIVILIZATIONS.
III.1. GREEK CIVILIZATION.
Mycenaean Period (1600 BC to about 1100 BC) Mycenae when Mycenae dominated much of southern Greece
CRETE- Italian film legendary exploits of supposed Athens founder Theseus in Minoan Crete. c. 1,500 BC.
- DirectorWolfgang PetersenStarsBrad PittEric BanaOrlando BloomAn adaptation of Homer's great epic, the film follows the assault on Troy by the united Greek forces and chronicles the fates of the men involved.FIGHT AGAINST TROY:
- Troy VII (1275-1240 B.C.) with Diane Kruger and Brad Pitt
- StarsEmilia FoxJames CallisDaniel LapaineThe abduction of beautiful Helen, wife of Spartan King Menelaus, by Paris of Troy triggers a long war.
- Troy falls to the Greeks (with Sienna Guillory)
- DirectorRobert WiseRaoul WalshStarsStanley BakerRossana PodestàBrigitte BardotThe Iliad's story of the Trojan war, told from the Trojan viewpoint.
- DirectorMichael CacoyannisStarsIrene PapasKostas KazakosKostas KarrasTo appease offended gods before going to war, a commander must sacrifice his favorite daughter to them but does so under the pretext of marrying her off.
- the Greek army is about to set sail but King Agamemnon slays a sacred deer and the gods punish him with the sacrifice of his daughter Iphigenia (Greek language)
- DirectorGiorgio FerroniStarsSteve ReevesJuliette MaynielJohn Drew BarrymoreA retelling of the events leading to the use of the Trojan Horse, to bring down the great city of Troy.
- DirectorBrad MaysStarsWillow HaleKaren TiegrenAomawa Baker
- DirectorMichael CacoyannisStarsKatharine HepburnVanessa RedgraveGeneviève BujoldThe women of Troy face enslavement after the fall of their city.
- grieving women after fall of Troy (with Irene Papas)
- StarsArmand AssanteGreta ScacchiIsabella RosselliniFollows Odysseus on his wanderings back to Ithaca following the Trojan War.
- TV miniseries -- based on the return voyage of the Greeks from Troy
- DirectorMario CameriniStarsSilvana ManganoKirk DouglasAnthony QuinnA movie adaptation of Homer's second epic, that depicts Ulysses' efforts to return to his home after the end of ten years of war.
- his long voyage home from Troy
- DirectorGiorgio VenturiniStarsSteve ReevesGiacomo Rossi StuartCarla MarlierAeneas leads escapees from the Trojan war to new land in Italy, and must deal with new threats to his people.
- Aeneas leads escapees from the Trojan war to new land in Italy; starring Steve Reeves
- DirectorJacques TourneurBruno VailatiMario BavaStarsSteve ReevesMylène DemongeotSergio FantoniA Greek soldier leads the fight against an invading Persian army.FIRST PERSIAN INVASION OF GREECE (492-490):
- actor Steve Reeves as Phillipides in the Battle of Marathon (490 BC)
- DirectorZack SnyderStarsGerard ButlerLena HeadeyDavid WenhamIn the ancient battle of Thermopylae, King Leonidas and 300 Spartans fight against Xerxes and his massive Persian army. They face insurmountable odds when they are betrayed by a Spartan reject.SECOND PERSIAN INVASION OF GREECE (480-479):
- Spartan King Leonidas and a force of 300 Spartans fight the Persians (under King Xerxes) at Thermopylae in 480 B.C.