Ancient Times

 

ALEXANDER THE GREAT (SV8788)
1956, Color, 141 minutes, Rated PG. 
Starring:  Richard Burton, Fredric March, Claire Bloom, and Danielle Darrieux.
A lavish, historical spectacle that follows accepted fact and theory concerning Alexander.  Period costumes and scenery are excellent.

BEN HUR (SV5012)
1959, Color, 211 minutes, Rated G. 
Starring:  Charlton Heston and Jack Hawkins.
Screen adaptation of Lew Wallace's celebrated novel about the conflict between the Jews and the Romans in Jerusalem during the lifetime of Jesus.

CLEOPATRA (SV32292)
1963, Color, 243 minutes, Rated G. 
Starring:  Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, Rex Harrison, and Roddy McDowall.
This spectacular love story depicts Cleopatra’s manipulation of Julius Caesar and Marc Antony in her ill-fated attempt to save the Egyptian empire.  While doubtful as to its historic value, its costumes and pageantry are a history lesson in themselves.

FALL OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE, part 1 & 2 (SV2084)
1964, Color, 182 minutes, Rated G. 
Starring:  Stephen Boyd, Alec Guiness, Christopher Plummer, and Sophia Loren.
Story of the decadence of Rome after the death of Marcus Aurelius.  An epic with outstanding visuals concerning Roman life.

THE GREATEST STORY EVER TOLD, part 1 & 2 (8436,32894,3793)
1965, Color, 199 minutes, NR. 
Starring:  Charlton Heston, Michael Anderson, and Max von Sydow.
Accurate to the story of Jesus; somewhat long in running time with unexpected appearances of Hollywood stars.

JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS (11430)
2000, Color, 179 minutes, NR. 
Starring:  Jason London, Frank Langella, Natasha, Henstridge and Angus MacFadyen.
A film inspired by the Greek mythological hero Jason and his epic quest for the Golden Fleece to help regain his rightful claim to the throne in the kingdom of Thessaly.

THE ODYSSEY (34994)
1997, Color, 165 minutes, Rated PG-13. 
Starring: Armand Assante, Greta Scacchi, Isabella Rossellini, Vanessa L. Williams, and Bernadette Peters.
This lavish small-screen adaptation of Homer’s ancient epic – replete with exotic Maltese and Turkish locations, state-of-the-art special effects, and many bronzed muscles gleaming with sweat – chronicles the voyage home of a Trojan hero, Odysseus.

THE PYRAMIDS AND THE CITITES OF THE PHARAOHS (18754)
1995, Color, 75 minutes, NR. 
Egyptologists and video artists take us back 5,000 years to view the awakening of Egypt – a civilization that created colossal structures with simple tools and massive manpower.  The reconstructions in this video recapture the splendor of Egypt including two of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Pyramids and the (Pharos) lighthouse at Alexandria.  Marvel at these 25 historical recreations.

SEVEN WONDERS OF THE ANCIENT WORLD (SV16105/18583)
1990, Color, 60 minutes, NR.
Approximately 2,000 years ago, Philo of Byzantium compiled a list of two statues, a temple, a rooftop garden, two tombs, and a lighthouse.  Ancient Romans considered these to be the seven great man-made wonders of the world.  This video reveals the story behind each wonder, its location, and the people responsible for the construction and original function of each.

TEN COMMANDMENTS (SV4811 plus)
1956, Color, 219 minutes, Rated G. 
Starring: Charlton Heston and Yul Brynner.
A visually stunning, grand-scale, biblical study by Cecil B. DeMille.  This biblical epic tells the story of Moses from his infancy to the triumphant moment when he led the Israelites out of captivity in Egypt.