Historical Epic Spectacles That Will Be Remembered... because they cost so much to make

In American Cinema History, the first epic was undoubtedly The Birth of a Nation. It was directed by DW Griffith and released in 1915. Now this film was a huge success, but also was surrounded by controversy. I have never seen the film but know of its obvious racism. 

The film takes place during the American Civil War, and mainly focuses on a Northern family that has moved to the South, and a Southern family who are their neighbors. When the War begins, each male joins their geographical side. However, their is some romance buried in here. The southern boys love the northern sisters and vice versa. 

Now for the juicy stuff, there is  a mulatto... slave, I guess. Is in love with one of the other southern sisters. Big scandal. He's lynched. In The Birth of a Nation, all the blacks are portrayed as having the hots for white women, and they want to rape them as well. Also all the blacks portrayed in this film are played by whites in blackface. And the Ku Klux Klan is portrayed in a heroic way. That's a big problem.

The film cost $112,000 ($2.2 million with inflation). That's a big sum for any movie released back then. Think how much would be added if there was sound. Also because of the big sum, tickets to see the movie cost $2 ($40 with inflation). Unbelievable! But no matter, it was one of the most successful movies until Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs beat its record. 

Gone with the Wind is the biggest box office hit in the history of film. In 1939, it made $198,676,459 and with inflation the total is $1,430,476,000! Even if someone has not seen this film, they've heard of it. That's how much of an impact it has caused. 

It was a popular novel turned into an even more popular movie. It starred Hollywood's #1 hottie, Clark Gable, and newcomer Vivien Leigh. The character of Scarlett O'Hara was the most coveted role in Hollywood. And a Brit beat out probably thousands of American girls to play the Southern Belle. Including Bette Davis, Barbara Stanwyck, and Katharine Hepburn. 

Also the film went through two directors. It began with George Cukor ("the woman's director") and ended with Victor Flemming. Cukor was dismissed by David Selznick... I don't know why either. 

It's funny because both this film and The Birth of a Nation focus on the Civil War. Both movies are very different, however. But they do share some racist qualities. The Black slaves in this film are shown to be dimwitted and cowardly. Except for Hattie McDaniel, who won an Oscar for best Supporting Actress. The first African American to do so. 

One funny bit of trivia: Selznick was fined $5,000 by the Hay's Office for using the word "damn" in Rhett Butler's famous ending line. 

Also I have to admit the marketers and advertisers at MGM were brilliant when they decided on this poster. Clark Gable's shirt is open and Vivien Leigh's dress seems to be slipping off, while there's a fire around them. Very sexy!
1963's Cleopatra was the third movie based on the Egyptian Queen's life. This film is also infamous for its going over budget and nearly bankrupting 20th Century Fox. It's original budget was $2 million and ended up being $44 million. That's more than $300 million with inflation. Also the scandalous adulteress relationship between Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton helped get this movie mentioned in a lot of magazines and newspapers. 

Elizabeth Taylor was the first actress to reach the $1 million salary mark. (They all make way too much money). 

Personally, I think the movie wasn't that great. It's long and slow, and Elizabeth Taylor's hair in no way looked like those Ancient Egyptian wigs. Also she needed a tan, she's too pale to pull off an Egyptian look. The film is a bit gaudy and campy in some parts, also the sets are too elaborate and ridiculous. But it did earn money, $475,658,900 (w/ inflation). 

Doctor Zhivago was directed by David Lean, hot off the success of Lawrence of Arabia. It starred Omar Sharif as Yuri Zhivago and Julie Christie as Lara Antipova. It displays life during the Russian Revolution and romance. Mostly it does prominently feature Zhivago and Lara's tragic relationship. 

Like anything Russian, the movie does have its depressing moments. I think the film did capture the heartache of their relationship and the life they had to face during the new Communist country. Lean did a great job showing who each character was, keeping with the novel. Points for that. 

I did like the movie even though it was a little long, but I loved Sharif and Christie together. They are Yuri and Lara. 

The most recent of these Historical Epics, Titanic. This would be the biggest box office smash if you didn't include inflation. Right now its adjusted gross in the United States is $908,688,900. I remember when this came out, everyone went to see it (except me). The country was suffering from Leo-fever after Romeo + Juliet. Also the Celine Dion song was being played everywhere. 

I don't think I saw this movie until two years after its release. It was on HBO, I think, and it was already half over. Me and my mom watched it and were sobbing by the end. I didn't see the whole thing until I was about 15/16. It's one of my favorite movies now. I know, I'm a sap. 

All these movies are Historically Epic films and share some of the same characteristics. The most important is that there is always a star-crossed romance in it. Jack and Rose, Rhett and Scarlett, Yuri and Lara. Also these films are produced on large scales and even larger budgets. However, they only stick within the same time frame in history. They need to work on that a little, instead of those stupid comedies they've been producing lately.