It’s not every day that a film like ‘Troy’ is made. Such films are big endeavors that necessitate large budgets and months of planning. Even after that, there’s no assurance that the movie will be a hit. Historical plays, such as ‘Troy,’ necessitate extra care in terms of not only the plot but also the entire set up. As a result, technical components of filmmaking, such as production and costume design, should be flawless. Several historical films, such as ‘Troy,’ have been filmed in recent decades. How many, on the other hand, have been as good? Let’s have a look. Here is a list of our top picks for movies that are similar to ‘Troy.’ Some of these best films, such as ‘Troy,’ are available on Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon Prime.
300 (2006)
Zac Snyder, or “The King of SloMos and Dark Palettes” as I like to refer to him, broke into the mainstream with this visually magnificent masterpiece that merged history with fantasy, with the latter weighing heavily on the scales. The movie is based on a graphic novel about the Battle of Thermopylae, one of history’s most famous last stands. ‘300’ is more brutal than ‘Troy,’ but it is an excellent companion piece, with epic combat scenes and breathtaking action sequences.
Alexander (2004)
There’s no denying that ‘Alexander’ is a flawed film. But, if you look past the shortcomings, the picture has a lot to offer, starting with the epic and beautifully choreographed fight scenes. As Alexander the Great, Colin Farrell performs an excellent job. You don’t care if Val Kilmer and Angelina Jolie don’t look the part. It’s the pinnacle of escapist entertainment.
Ben-Hur (1959)
For a long time, this epic historical drama from 1959 held the title of finest film ever filmed. ‘Ben-Hur,’ based on true events, chronicles the story of the titular figure and his hardships in life. It was the most expensive film ever filmed at the time, with the largest set and production in movie history. The picture received an unprecedented eleven Academy Awards, setting a record that has yet to be broken. It starred Charlton Heston in the lead role and catapulted him to international fame. The epic war scenes, settings, and extremely important musical composition from ‘Ben-Hur’ are still remembered today. It is, without a doubt, a cinematic delight!
‘Ben-Hur,’ like numerous other films on the list, is a must-see for anyone who claims to be a movie buff. Although the visuals and overall aesthetics may appear to be outmoded to some, the film’s wild, energetic tone makes for a truly entertaining experience. It’s a shame that some critics rejected this film as nothing more than a commercial exercise, because there’s a lot to appreciate here. It’s one of those films that established the standard for lavish, commercial filmmaking in Hollywood, which has a history of combining incredibly exciting, creative storylines with magnificent cinematography.
William Wyler’s vision and ambition not only spawned a new form of filmmaking, but also influenced a generation of filmmakers. He may not have had a direct influence on present mainstream filmmakers like Steven Spielberg and James Cameron, but the man and this masterwork deserve greater recognition for revolutionizing Hollywood’s commercial filmmaking style.
Braveheart (1995)
Mel Gibson’s epic war film recounts the voyage of William Wallace, a 13th-century Scottish warrior who led the Scots against King Edward I of England in the First War of Scottish Independence. The picture received critical praise upon its initial release, receiving eight Academy Award nominations and winning five of them, including Best Picture. The epic poem ‘The Actes and Deidis of the Illustre and Vallyeant Compiun Schir William Wallace’ is supposed to have inspired the film. The film broke new ground in terms of the scale of the sets and the utilization of thousands of extras on site.
This is Ridley Scott’s masterpiece. The film is about the brilliant Hispano-Roman general Maximus, who fights against King Marcus Aurelius’ powerful son, whose throne he usurped after murdering him. Maximus, who has been reduced to servitude, rises like a phoenix from the ashes by battling and defeating death in the Gladiatorial arena. The accuracy of the film, as well as the battle scenes, were widely praised. The film went on to win five Academy Awards, including Best Picture. The film ‘Gladiator’ is credited with reigniting interest in films about ancient Greek and Roman civilization.
Because Scott has been more of a hit-or-miss director for me, I did not expect a fantastic cinematic experience. However, the picture pleasantly surprised me when I first saw it, with its stunning graphics, raw ambition, and outstanding performances, particularly Russell Crowe’s as Maximus, who is breathtakingly excellent. With his seductive charisma and elegance, he raises the film to a whole new level, and he smoothly slips into the part. Scott’s direction is fantastic, and it’s evident that he’s in total command of his trade. Although I am not a huge admirer of his, this picture demonstrates Scott’s versatility as a director, demonstrating that when he is at his best, he is a true master. Scott may have created technically superior pictures, but this is one that will always hold a special place in my heart. The dramatic fight sequences, outstanding performances, and elegant direction are all worth seeing.
Kingdom of Heaven (2005)
The story of this picture, directed by Ridley Scott, takes place during the Crusades in the 12th century. A French village blacksmith travels to Jerusalem to help the Kingdom of Jerusalem defend itself against the Ayyubi Muslim monarch Salahuddin, who is battling the Christians for control of the city, resulting to the Battle of Hattin. Scott draws on his own experience, having previously directed epic battle scenes in ‘Gladiator.’ ‘Kingdom of Heaven’ may not have had the same commercial success as ‘Gladiator,’ but it is still a commendable attempt. And if you’re searching for anything similar to ‘Troy,’ this is a great option.
Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
With its release, ‘Lawrence of Arabia,’ arguably one of the best pictures ever created, sent shockwaves through the industry. The film received seven nominations out of ten, including Best Picture at the Academy Awards. The film follows the life of TE Lawrence, a charismatic British officer who used tact and strategy to aid the Arabians in their fight against the Turks. In the eponymous role, Peter O’Toole, who was also the most nominated Academy Award actor without winning, provided a performance to remember. ‘Lawrence of Arabia’ is largely regarded as one of the most influential films of all time, and it is without a doubt David Lean’s best work.
‘Lawrence of Arabia’ is one of those movies that everyone should see at least once in their lives. It’s a film that takes you on a journey through the psyche of a severely damaged hero, a fighter. In many ways, Lawrence’s journey in the film is wonderfully poetic. As the protagonist goes through many stages in his life, the film addresses themes of betrayal, triumph, ambition, power, and corruption. Aside from its conceptual objectives, the film’s style was one of the things that impressed me the most. The film has a wonderfully thrilling tone that keeps you engaged and entertained throughout, despite the fact that it addresses some important issues. Without a question, O’Toole is the film’s soul. Any other actor in the lead role would be impossible to envision. Peter O’Toole, like Al Pacino in ‘The Godfather’ and Robert De Niro in ‘Taxi Driver,’ was born to play Lawrence in this masterpiece. It is without a doubt one of the best acting performances in movie history.
Legends of the Fall (1994)
Although it isn’t one of the best films in the genre, I recall loving it when I first saw it many years ago. The film, which stars Brad Pitt, Anthony Hopkins, and Aidan Quinn in leading roles, tells the story of a man and his three children who live in the rural Montana countryside during the early twentieth century. The film is philosophically complex, and despite some scripting flaws, it is an emotionally engaging visual experience. Aspects of the film’s visuals should also be taken into consideration. From the first scene, Edward Zwick manages to create a really unique mood, drawing you into the universe he’s created. If you enjoy period/historical plays, you should watch it!
Spartacus (1960)
I couldn’t stop viewing Stanley Kubrick’s films after seeing ‘The Shining.’ With this epic historical drama, inspired by the life story of Spartacus, the leader of a slave revolt in antiquity, and the events of the Third Servile War, the cinematography came to a magnificent conclusion. Kubrick, being the maestro that he is, went to great lengths to be careful and achieve a genuine tone for the film. As a result, one of the greatest films ever filmed was born.
When evaluating Stanley Kubrick’s work, it’s easy to overlook ‘Spartacus,’ which is understandable given that we’re talking about a director who also directed ‘2001: Space Odyssey,’ ‘The Shining,’ ‘Paths of Glory,’ and ‘A Clockwork Orange,’ to name a few. That is why this picture is so underappreciated; the man has created far too many classics in his career. A picture like ‘Spartacus’ would have been the crowning masterpiece of any other director’s career, but not for Kubrick. He was a filmmaker who was always looking to push the frontiers of cinema in some manner with each film he made. ‘Spartacus,’ on the other hand, is an enormously bold, ambitious film that, like all other Kubrick films, has aged magnificently. It’s more of a spectacle than some of Kubrick’s other films, and it’s not as thematically deep as some of his others, but it’s a thrilling cinematic experience that you’ll never forget. I’m hoping that Kubrick fans all over the world will embrace the film.
The Last of the Mohicans (1992)
During the French and Indian War in 1757, this historical drama from 1992 is set. Aside from the well-choreographed battle scenes, Daniel-Day Lewis gives a phenomenally spectacular and powerful physical performance in the film. He is fantastic as Hawkeye, the hero in the James Fenimore Cooper novel, as a pioneer hero fighting the men for the land he adores. The performance elevated Michael Mann’s excellent film. Mann’s versatility as a filmmaker is demonstrated in ‘The Last of the Mohicans.’ I couldn’t believe the same person made ‘Heat,’ ‘The Insider,’ and ‘Collateral’ while viewing the movie. The film is worth seeing for the acting, direction, and breathtaking visuals. Oh, and it has a fantastic soundtrack as well!
The Last Samurai (2003)
In the aftermath of the Meiji Restoration in 19th century Japan, Tom Cruise plays a US Captain whose personal and emotional struggles force him into touch with samurai warriors. Captured by the samurai, he becomes their buddy and ally, marrying himself to their ways and, for the first time in his life, finds peace as a warrior. It’s exciting to see how this character develops, and Cruise is fantastic in the role. The plot of the film is based on the 1877 Satsuma Rebellion, which was headed by Saig Takamori, and the westernization of Japan by foreign powers, albeit the United States is portrayed as the dominant driver behind the push for westernization in the film.
The New World (2005)
I honestly believe that ‘The New World’ is superior to several other films on this list; nonetheless, it is ranked so low since it isn’t a true historical war film. It’s more romantic and philosophical, as you’d expect from a Terrence Malick film. A Native American princess falls in love with an English explorer in this film. However, issues develop when her tribe’s disdain for her boyfriend leads her to make a decision that will forever alter her life. Several critics initially condemned the picture, while others gave it a mixed reception, but after repeated viewings and reevaluation, many contemporary critics now believe it to be one of the best films of the decade. It’s wonderfully beautiful and evocative, as are all of Malick’s films. I wouldn’t recommend this as a starting point for someone interested in learning more about Malick’s work, but those who are familiar with his work should revisit it to obtain a better understanding of his style and vision.
