Year of Release: 1956Country of Origin: USA, Spain
Director: Robert Rossen
Cast: Richard Burton, Fredric March
Plot outline: Biography of Alexander the Great who conquered the then known world (IMDb).
Alexander the Great is a colossal bore. What's the problem? Well, the troubles are legion. Start with Richard Burton, engaging here in the lead role of the philosopher/warrior/conquerer, but given a series of brooding sermons to deliver for well over two hours. Burton doesn't carry the movie as he absolutely has to; the result is an experience not unlike attending a late night lecture. Then there's the warfare. Those of us spoiled on modern epics will find the playful skirmishes here on the laughable side. Sure, you can stage a battle with just a couple hundred men and no special effects if you shoot it carefully, but if your warriors look tired and on the verge of striking, you won't quite get the necessary effect. Pretty sad considering Alexander conquered Europe and Asia. Alexander's wargaming is interrupted by lessons from Aristotle (Barry Jones), again a terrible waste of screen time that adds nothing to our understanding of either man or philosophy. (FC)
My judgement: *1/2 out of 4 stars
No comments:
Post a Comment