Biographical - Ancient World
by t-xy | created - 28 Sep 2016 | updated - 24 Aug 2018 | PublicRelated lists:
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1. Cleopatra (1963)
G | 192 min | Biography, Drama, History
Queen Cleopatra VII of Egypt experiences both triumph and tragedy as she attempts to resist the imperial ambitions of Rome.
Directors: Joseph L. Mankiewicz, Rouben Mamoulian | Stars: Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, Rex Harrison, Pamela Brown
Votes: 37,431 | Gross: $57.78M
2. Quo Vadis (1951)
Not Rated | 171 min | Biography, Drama, Romance
After fierce Roman commander Marcus Vinicius becomes infatuated with beautiful Christian hostage Lygia, he begins to question the tyrannical leadership of the despotic emperor Nero.
Directors: Mervyn LeRoy, Anthony Mann | Stars: Robert Taylor, Deborah Kerr, Leo Genn, Peter Ustinov
Votes: 16,757 | Gross: $24.29M
3. Spartacus (1960)
PG-13 | 197 min | Adventure, Biography, Drama
The slave Spartacus survives brutal training as a gladiator and leads a violent revolt against the decadent Roman Republic, as the ambitious Crassus seeks to gain power by crushing the uprising.
Directors: Stanley Kubrick, Anthony Mann | Stars: Kirk Douglas, Laurence Olivier, Jean Simmons, Charles Laughton
Votes: 143,268 | Gross: $30.00M
4. Cleopatra (1999)
Not Rated | 177 min | Biography, Drama, History
Princess Cleopatra becomes Egypt's Queen and has an out-of-wedlock son with the son-less Roman ruler Julius Caesar. Through two romances, she strives to protect Egypt from the Romans, and make her son the heir to Caesar's Roman Empire.
Stars: Billy Zane, Timothy Dalton, Rupert Graves, Leonor Varela
Votes: 4,337
5. Alexander (2004)
R | 175 min | Action, Biography, Drama
Alexander, the King of Macedonia and one of the greatest army leaders in the history of warfare, conquers much of the known world.
Director: Oliver Stone | Stars: Colin Farrell, Anthony Hopkins, Rosario Dawson, Angelina Jolie
Votes: 176,712 | Gross: $34.30M
6. Caesar (2002)
PG-13 | 89 min | Biography, Drama, History
Twenty-year-old Julius Caeser flees Rome for his life during the reign of Sulla, but through skill and ambition rises four decades later to become Rome's supreme dictator.
Stars: Jeremy Sisto, Richard Harris, Christopher Walken, Valeria Golino
Votes: 3,178
7. Hannibal (2006 TV Movie)
TV-PG | 89 min | Action, Biography, Drama
It is 200 years before the birth of Christ and Rome is the new superpower of the ancient world. She believes she is invincible - but one man is destined to change that. He is a man bound by... See full summary »
Director: Edward Bazalgette | Stars: Alexander Siddig, Emilio Doorgasingh, Bashar Rahal, Mido Hamada
Votes: 1,793
8. Hannibal (1959)
Approved | 103 min | Action, Adventure, Biography
During the Second Punic War in 218 BC, Carthaginian general Hannibal attacks the Roman Republic by crossing the Pyrenees and the Alps with his vast army.
Directors: Carlo Ludovico Bragaglia, Edgar G. Ulmer | Stars: Victor Mature, Gabriele Ferzetti, Rita Gam, Milly Vitale
Votes: 1,125
9. The True Story of Hannibal (2005 TV Movie)
120 min | Documentary
One of history's greatest military leaders, at age nine Hannibal accompanied his father Hamilcar Barca on the Carthaginian expedition to conquer Spain. Before embarking, the boy vowed ... See full summary »
Director: Mark Hufnail | Stars: Ben Maccabee, Jeffrey Wright, Richard Wilkinson, Steve Chrissanthos
Votes: 62
10. Nero (2004 TV Movie)
PG-13 | 192 min | Biography, Drama, War
A six-episode mini-series covering five centuries of the Roman Empire.
Director: Paul Marcus | Stars: Hans Matheson, Laura Morante, Rike Schmid, Matthias Habich
Votes: 702
11. Augustus: The First Emperor (2003 TV Movie)
R | 178 min | Drama, History, Romance
Caesar Augustus tells of how he became the emperor to his reluctant daughter, Julia following the death of her husband Agrippa.
Director: Roger Young | Stars: Peter O'Toole, Charlotte Rampling, Vittoria Belvedere, Benjamin Sadler
Votes: 1,455
12. Spartacus (2004)
Unrated | 87 min | Action, Drama, History
After he is bought by the owner of a Roman gladiator school and trained as a gladiator, a slave leads a rebellion of slaves and gladiators into revolt against Rome.
Stars: Goran Visnjic, Alan Bates, Angus Macfadyen, Rhona Mitra
Votes: 5,807
13. Spartacus (2010–2013)
TV-MA | 60 min | Action, Adventure, Biography
The life of Spartacus, the gladiator who lead a rebellion against the Romans. From his time as an ally of the Romans, to his betrayal and becoming a gladiator, to the rebellion he leads and its ultimate outcome.
Stars: Andy Whitfield, Lucy Lawless, Manu Bennett, Daniel Feuerriegel
Votes: 257,145
14. Spartacus: Gods of the Arena (2011)
TV-MA | 55 min | Action, Adventure, Biography
In the time before the arrival of Spartacus, the House of Batiatus faces many challenges from competitors, and within its own household.
Stars: John Hannah, Manu Bennett, Peter Mensah, Dustin Clare
Votes: 145,480
15. Attila (2001)
Unrated | 89 min | Action, Adventure, Biography
In 400 AD, the Roman Empire is the greatest power in the world. But to the east a fierce people arose: the Huns. They believe in a prophecy about a great king who will unite the tribes and challenge Rome for control of the world.
Stars: Pauline Lynch, Steven Berkoff, Andrew Pleavin, Tommy Flanagan
Votes: 11,109
16. Attila (1954)
TV-14 | 80 min | Biography, Drama, History
Attila, the leader of the barbarian Huns and called by the Romans "The Scourge of God", sweeps onto the Italian peninsula, defeating all of the armies of Rome, until he and his men reach the gates of the city itself.
Director: Pietro Francisci | Stars: Anthony Quinn, Sophia Loren, Henri Vidal, Claude Laydu
Votes: 790
17. Sign of the Pagan (1954)
Approved | 92 min | Adventure, Biography, Drama
With the Roman Empire divided, Attila the Hun hopes to conquer. In his way are a brave centurion, a beautiful princess...and Christianity.
Director: Douglas Sirk | Stars: Jeff Chandler, Jack Palance, Ludmilla Tchérina, Rita Gam
Votes: 766
18. The Ten Commandments (1956)
G | 220 min | Adventure, Drama, Family
Moses, 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.
Director: Cecil B. DeMille | Stars: Charlton Heston, Yul Brynner, Anne Baxter, Edward G. Robinson
Votes: 77,915 | Gross: $93.74M
19. The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965)
G | 260 min | Biography, Drama, History
An all-star, large scale epic movie that chronicles the life and ministry of Jesus Christ.
Directors: George Stevens, Jean Negulesco | Stars: Max von Sydow, Dorothy McGuire, Charlton Heston, Michael Anderson Jr.
Votes: 11,944 | Gross: $15.47M
20. King of Kings (1961)
PG-13 | 168 min | Biography, Drama
The temporary physical life of the Biblical Savior, Jesus Christ.
Director: Nicholas Ray | Stars: Jeffrey Hunter, Siobhan McKenna, Hurd Hatfield, Ron Randell
Votes: 9,031 | Gross: $14.48M
21. Barabbas (1961)
Approved | 137 min | Biography, Drama, History
Governor Pontius Pilate gave the populace a choice to spare either Barabbas, a criminal, or Jesus, condemned as a heretic, from crucifixion. The masses chose Barrabas, and he is haunted by the image of Jesus for the rest of his life.
Director: Richard Fleischer | Stars: Anthony Quinn, Silvana Mangano, Arthur Kennedy, Katy Jurado
Votes: 7,039 | Gross: $6.32M
22. Jesus of Nazareth (1977)
TV-G | 96 min | Biography, Drama, History
Beginning before the Nativity and extending through the Crucifixion and Resurrection, this mini-series brings to life all of the sweeping drama in the life of Jesus, as told by the Gospels.
Stars: Robert Powell, Olivia Hussey, Laurence Olivier, James Mason
Votes: 24,950
23. The Gospel of John (2003)
PG-13 | 180 min | Biography, Drama, History
The story of Jesus' life as told by the apostle John, narrated by Christopher Plummer.
Director: Philip Saville | Stars: Henry Ian Cusick, Daniel Kash, Christopher Plummer, Scott Handy
Votes: 4,204 | Gross: $4.07M
24. The Living Bible: The Old Testament (1958)
TV-G | 210 min | Biography, Drama, History
14 sacred stories centered around the people who shaped the Old Testament. From the Book of Genesis to the Book of Malachi, these stories of faith, love, and hope honor the Word of God.
Stars: Eddie Dew, Joe Bassett, Robert Christopher, Liam Sullivan
Votes: 152
25. Abraham (1993– )
175 min | Adventure, Biography, Drama
Abram a tribal leader denies all the local deities and finds the true God. Through many trials and tribulations he strengthens his faith.
Stars: Richard Harris, Barbara Hershey, Maximilian Schell, Andrea Prodan
Votes: 1,833
26. Son of God (2014)
PG-13 | 138 min | Biography, Drama, History
The life story of Jesus is told from his humble birth through his teachings, crucifixion and ultimate resurrection.
Director: Christopher Spencer | Stars: Diogo Morgado, Amber Rose Revah, Greg Hicks, Adrian Schiller
Votes: 19,667 | Gross: $59.70M
27. The Gospel According to Matthew (1993)
TV-G | 258 min | Adventure, Biography, Drama
The plot follows the birth, preaching, teaching and miracles of Jesus. He preached and lived a radical message of God's Love and was able to heal people of lifelong disabilities and illnesses and was able to command natural phenomena.
Director: Regardt van den Bergh | Stars: Richard Kiley, Bruce Marchiano, Gerrit Schoonhoven, Dawid Minnaar
Votes: 1,078
28. The King of Kings (1927)
Not Rated | 160 min | Biography, Drama, Family
Jesus Christ faces religious and political oppression during his ministry and in the days before his death and resurrection.
Director: Cecil B. DeMille | Stars: H.B. Warner, Dorothy Cumming, Ernest Torrence, Joseph Schildkraut
Votes: 2,418 | Gross: $1.77M
29. The Ten Commandments (1923)
Passed | 136 min | Biography, Drama, History
After 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.
Director: Cecil B. DeMille | Stars: Theodore Roberts, Charles de Rochefort, Estelle Taylor, Julia Faye
Votes: 2,664 | Gross: $5.36M
30. Cleopatra (1934)
Passed | 100 min | Biography, Drama, History
The man-hungry Queen of Egypt leads Julius Caesar and Marc Antony astray, amid scenes of DeMillean splendor.
Director: Cecil B. DeMille | Stars: Claudette Colbert, Warren William, Henry Wilcoxon, Joseph Schildkraut
Votes: 4,617
31. San Pietro (2005 TV Movie)
PG-13 | 197 min | Drama
Saint Peter, a reluctant but passionate leader, from the crucifixion of Jesus to his own. The film's first half dramatizes the New Testament's "Acts": early fear, the renewal of Pentecost, ... See full summary »
Director: Giulio Base | Stars: Omar Sharif, Daniele Pecci, Flavio Insinna, Claudia Koll
Votes: 590
32. St. Paul (2000– )
Not Rated | 170 min | Adventure, Drama
Biblical epic from the book of Acts and Paul's epistles covering the conversion of Saul of Tarsus and his ministry to the Gentiles now known as Paul. Pursued by fellow Jew Reuben, who ... See full summary »
Stars: Johannes Brandrup, Thomas Lockyer, Barbora Bobulova, Ennio Fantastichini
Votes: 1,178
33. David (1997)
190 min | Adventure, Biography, Drama
The 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 ... See full summary »
Stars: Maurice Roëves, Gina Bellman, Lina Sastri, Joseph Long
Votes: 1,553
34. The Bible Collection: Esther (1999 TV Movie)
Not Rated | 90 min | Biography, Drama, History
The Bible story of Esther starring Louise Lombard, F. Murray Abraham and Jurgen Prochnow.
Director: Raffaele Mertes | Stars: Louise Lombard, F. Murray Abraham, Jürgen Prochnow, Thomas Kretschmann
Votes: 1,653
35. Solomon (1997)
PG-13 | 180 min | Adventure, Biography, Drama
David, now an old man, is still king of Israel. Among his sons, the ambitious Adonijah and the clever Solomon.
Stars: Ben Cross, Richard Dillane, Anouk Aimée, Vivica A. Fox
Votes: 1,488
36. Joseph (1995)
93 min | Adventure, Biography, Drama
The 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.
Stars: Ben Kingsley, Paul Mercurio, Martin Landau, Lesley Ann Warren
Votes: 3,402
37. Jesus (1999)
TV-PG | 77 min | Biography, Drama, History
A movie about the life, work and death of Jesus as we know it from the Bible.
Stars: Jeremy Sisto, Debra Messing, Jacqueline Bisset, Gary Oldman
Votes: 3,260
38. Jacob (1994 TV Movie)
91 min | Biography, Crime, Drama
In 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 ... See full summary »
Director: Peter Hall | Stars: Matthew Modine, Lara Flynn Boyle, Sean Bean, Joss Ackland
Votes: 1,659
39. The Bible Collection: Jeremiah (1998 TV Movie)
Not Rated | 90 min | Biography, Drama, History
Jeremiah 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.
Director: Harry Winer | Stars: Patrick Dempsey, Oliver Reed, Klaus Maria Brandauer, Vincent Regan
Votes: 1,716
40. Socrates (1970 TV Movie)
120 min | Biography, History
A false accusation leads the philosopher Socrates to trial and condemnation in 4th century BC Athens.
Director: Roberto Rossellini | Stars: Jean Sylvère, Anne Caprile, Giuseppe Mannajuolo, Ricardo Palacios
Votes: 959
41. Agora (2009)
R | 127 min | Adventure, Biography, Drama
A historical drama set in Roman Egypt, concerning a slave who turns to the rising tide of Christianity in the hope of pursuing freedom while falling in love with his mistress, the philosophy and mathematics professor Hypatia of Alexandria.
Director: Alejandro Amenábar | Stars: Rachel Weisz, Max Minghella, Oscar Isaac, Ashraf Barhom
Votes: 73,076 | Gross: $0.62M
42. Julius Caesar (1970)
G | 117 min | Drama, History, War
The growing ambition of Julius Caesar is a source of major concern to his close friend Brutus. Cassius persuades him to participate in his plot to assassinate Caesar, but they have both sorely underestimated Mark Antony.
Director: Stuart Burge | Stars: Charlton Heston, Jason Robards, John Gielgud, Richard Johnson
Votes: 2,002
43. Alexander the Great (1956)
Not Rated | 141 min | Biography, Drama, History
The life and military conquests of Alexander III of Macedon (July 20/21, 356 - June 10/11, 323 B.C.), commonly known as Alexander the Great.
Director: Robert Rossen | Stars: Richard Burton, Fredric March, Claire Bloom, Barry Jones
Votes: 4,121
44. Katherine of Alexandria (2014)
R | 110 min | Biography, Drama, History
Constantine joins the Roman army to find his missing childhood friend. Once alerted to his friend's whereabouts, he prepares for an all out war between the East and the West.
Director: Michael Redwood | Stars: Nicole Cernat, Peter O'Toole, Joss Ackland, Steven Berkoff
Votes: 487
45. Cleopatra (I)
Biography, History | Pre-production
Plot kept under wraps
Director: Denis Villeneuve
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