Plot: The rebellious Thracian Spartacus, born and raised a slave, is sold to Gladiator trainer Batiatus. After weeks of being trained to kill for the arena, Spartacus turns on his owners and leads the other slaves in rebellion. As the rebels move from town to town, their numbers swell as escaped slaves join their ranks. Under the leadership of Spartacus, they make their way to southern Italy, where they will cross the sea and return to their homes.

Year(s): 73 BC – 71 BC

KBZ’s Take: Though the battle scene in Spartacus encompasses a total of around 8 minutes of the film’s 196-minute runtime, it’s still one of the best scenes of Ancient Warfare on our list. The scene and ensuing battle were created before the advent of CGI with no digital extras and other special effects used in modern war films. It’s an amazing look at the imposing strength and discipline of a Roman army.

Though the recent Spartacus TV series used similar special effects found in 300 (2007) to introduce a new generation to the Thracian slave who would challenge Rome, it doesn’t quite reach the classic epic feel of the Stanley Kubrick original. It’s a classic Ancient Warfare film that any generation of subgenre fan shouldn’t miss.

Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3Ku9AZ6

Plot: An exiled Chinese general (Jackie Chan) offers shelter to a renegade Roman (John Cusack) and his legion, then becomes involved in the soldier’s dispute with Rome’s villainous consul (Adrien Brody).

Year(s): 50 BC

KBZ’s Take: As we noted in the criteria for our list, we’re choosing action-packed battle scenes over plot and acting for this list – and Dragon Blade delivers on multiple fronts. We’ll be the first to admit the film’s plot drags in place, isn’t historically accurate and focuses too much on the ‘can’t we all get along’ message. And some of the acting in the film is atrocious – especially from the English-speaking Romans. But that can all be forgiven for some of the best ‘East meets West’ battle scenarios only Age of Empires fans can dream of.

Want to see a Roman general fight a Chinese Silk Road Protection Squad member? Check. Or how about numerous nomadic tribes, including the Xiongnu, in a full-scale battle with a Roman legion? Check.

John Cusack isn’t the first person you would think of playing a Roman general, but he does quite well in the film. As does Jackie Chan as the lead member of the Silk Road Protection Squad. But it’s Adrien Brody who stands out in the film, chewing the scenery as the villainous Tiberius. His performance rivals that of an equally evil Roman leader immortalized by Joaquin Phoenix’s portrayal of Commodus in Gladiator (2000).

Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3OJXAFc

Plot: 20-year-old Julius Caesar flees Rome but returns to become Rome’s supreme dictator.

Year(s): ~82 BC – 44 BC

KBZ’s Take: While Marlon Brando’s Julius Caesar (1953) is considered a classic historical film of the Roman general and dictator, we actually prefer this more recent miniseries. Starring Jeremy Sisto (Julius Caesar), Richard Harris (Lucius Sulla), Christopher Walken (Cato) and Christopher Noth (Pompey), the miniseries focuses on the younger years of Julius Caesar’s life and how his outlook developed over time.

The standout sequence in the film is The Battle of Alesia (52 BC) between the Roman Army and Gallic tribes. You can see some of the battle here. It’s epic, it’s brutal and it’s so well done you’ll forget that it’s from a limited budgeted TV series. The only other epic Roman battle of this intensity, size and scope in a limited TV series we can think of was the Siege of Masada in 74 AD from Masada (1981).

This is also a film that can be used for a very unique movie trivia question – Who is the only actor to have played both Julius Caesar and Jesus Christ? Answer – Jeremy Sisto in this film and Jesus (1999).

Additional Lists: Top Films Set During the Classical Roman Era You Haven’t Seen #5

Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/40c1SJf

Plot: After the death of her father, a woman is forced to take over as empress and fight to save her kingdom.

Year(s): ~304 AD – 409 AD

KBZ’s Take: Set during Ancient China’s Sixteen Kingdoms period (304 AD to 439 AD), An Empress and the Warriors has some of the best battle sequences from the wave of China and Hong Kong-produced historical films set during this period. Outside of Red Cliff (2008), it also has some of the most action-packed battles found in the subgenre.

Though the film is primarily a melodrama involving Princess Yan Fei’er (Kelly Chen) and her struggle between love and duty, the action standout is Murong Xuehu (Donnie Yen) as general and closest adviser to the princess. He’s involved in multiple battle sequences in the film, especially in an intense climatic battle.

If you’ve seen and enjoyed Red Cliff (2008), we recommend checking this film out as well.

Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3DH2PPX

Plot: Alexander, the King of Macedonia, leads his legions against the giant Persian Empire. After defeating the Persians, he leads his army across the then known world, venturing farther than any westerner had ever gone, all the way to India.

Year(s): 336 BC – 323 BC

KBZ’s Take: For all the faults of Alexander, including its disjointed pacing and documentary-like feel, it does one thing very well – recreates The Battle of Gaugamela (331 BC) between the Ancient Macedonian Army and Persian Army. Though the film also highlights some of Alexander’s other campaigns, it’s Gaugamela that’s been praised as the most historically accurate recreation of the ancient battle.

If there’s only one reason to see the film its for this battle – the Macedonian Phalanx formations and movements, the charge of the Persian’s Scythed Chariots and the tactics deployed by Alexander during the decisive battle leading him to be proclaimed one of the best military strategists in history.

Though Oliver Stone released an Ultimate Cut of the film which has improved the film considerably, he is rightly criticized for many of the film’s flaws that editing will never fix. But he also deserves equal praise for accurately recreating one of the most important battles in Ancient Warfare.

Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3s1UYd9

Plot: The rise of Tomiris as Queen of the Massagetae and her battle with the Persian King, Cyrus the Great.

Year(s): 600 – 500 BC

KBZ’s Take: This Kazakhstan film was #1 on our Top Films Set During the Bronze Age and Iron Age You Haven’t Seen list for a few reasons. First, it’s not well known and is one of the best films of the subgenre from a historical period or region that often isn’t covered in film.

Second, it’s a classic example of a film that was “review bombed” by people that didn’t agree with the politics of the film. Most review bombs are from Iranians who did not agree with the film’s portrayal of Cyrus the Great. An odd take given the film is based on the Greek Historian Herodotus’ version of events.

Three, all politics aside, it’s a great film that’s reminiscent of Mongol: The Rise of Genghis Khan (2007). In fact, Tomiris Cinematographer, Khasan Kydyraliyev, was also involved with Mongol and you’ll see many similarities between the films – especially during the battle sequences. The warfare scenes are some of the best of the subgenre depicting the Massagetae and their battles with the Achaemenid Empire.

We highly recommend this film for fans of the subgenre as its one of the best Historical Biopics, Epic War Films and War Films with Massive Battle Scenes you likely haven’t seen or heard of.

Additional Lists: Top Films Set During the Bronze Age and Iron Age You Haven’t Seen #1

Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3uewScS

Plot: Based on Frank Miller’s graphic novel, 300 is very loosely based on the 480 B.C. Battle of Thermopylae, where the King of Sparta led his army against the advancing Persians; the battle is said to have inspired all of Greece to band together against the Persians and helped usher in the world’s first democracy.

Year(s): 480 BC

KBZ’s Take: Even though the historical accuracy of 300 often comes into question, there’s no denying its impact on the subgenre. It revolutionized how epic, large-scale battles could be produced with small scale sets and special effects. The Battle of Thermopylae (480 BC) between the Greeks and Persians proved to be the perfect test case for this new form of digitally-enhanced war film.

The film is much more faithful to the Frank Miller graphic novel than to historical record, so 300 is farthest from a documentary-type retelling of a famous event and battle that you’ll ever get. The film has no qualms about playing fast and loose with facts in lieu of blood-soaked action and violence. Older generations might prefer the long shots of armies on barren vistas meticulously planning for battle, but for younger generations, 300 introduced chaotic, slow motion battles and meme-based scenes from the film that would entice younger minds to learn the real history of the Spartans and Ancient Greece.

It doesn’t matter that, in reality, the Immortals didn’t look like Slasher Film villains and Xerses wasn’t a 7-foot tall demigod (and Brazilian model), what mattered was that 300 reinvented ways in which expensive historical epics and battles could be made while also making historical events exciting for younger generations that view history as the class they’ll catch some sleep in.

Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3rWcuzn

Plot: In the final days of the Han Dynasty, Prime Minister Cao declares war on the Kingdoms of Xu and East Wu.

Year(s): ~208 AD

KBZ’s Take: We noted at the beginning of this article that there’s quite a few films of the subgenre based on the the 14^th century novel “The Romance of the Three Kingdoms” by Luo Guanzhong. While the novel is 70% historical fact and 30% fiction, many films of the subgenre have taken characters or stories from the novel and romanticized them in their film adaptations. However, Director John Woo based his epic films on historical record of the time for the Battle of Red Cliffs in 208 AD – 209 AD.

While most fans of Historical Epics (and of this subgenre) have likely seen this film, if you haven’t, then add it to the top of your queue now. This is one of Woo’s best films and it’s an epic filmmaking effort across 2 films – Red Cliff Part 1 (2008) and Red Cliff Part 2 (2009).

It is hard to describe how amazing this film is between numerous epic-sized battles, unique battle strategies and the wealth of great acting (especially between Tony Leung as Zhou Yu and Takeshi Kaneshiro as Zhuge Liang). Highly recommended film and one of the best of the subgenre.

Additional Lists: Top Films Set During the Classical Roman Era You Haven’t Seen #3

Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3DrAPA0

Plot: Agamemnon and Menelaus (with Achilles) lead Greek forces against the Trojans.

Year(s): ~1250 BC

KBZ’s Take: For modern film audiences, Troy is the most popular film set during the Bronze Age. Though the Trojan War is part of Greek Mythology, historians have taken a recent view that Troy was an actual city but the Trojan Horse likely was myth. So, despite the Trojan Horse being more akin to other Greek legends like Theseus and The Minotaur and Perseus and Pegasus, the actual battles of the Trojan War were more likely to have occurred and recreated in all their epic glory by Wolfgang Petersen.

With the benefits of technology, Petersen was able to use sweeping camera views and digital extras to show one of the most epic depictions of Ancient Warfare ever to grace film. From the crushing blows as thousands of Greeks and Trojans meet head on to the rain of arrows falling from the sky, it’s chaotic and poetic at the same time.

Sure, the battle doesn’t last long but it’s shown on a scale that even the most imaginative readers of Homer’s Iliad could only dream of. It’s a classic film of the subgenre and one of the best films at depicting Ancient Warfare.

Additional Lists: Top Films Set During the Bronze Age and Iron Age You Haven’t Seen #3

Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3B1qARz

Plot: Set in Roman times, the story of a once-powerful general forced to become a common gladiator. The emperor’s son is enraged when he is passed over as heir in favor of his father’s favorite general. He kills his father and arranges the murder of the general’s family, and the general is sold into slavery to be trained as a gladiator – but his subsequent popularity in the arena threatens the throne.

Year(s): 180 AD

KBZ’s Take: There isn’t any real doubt that Ridley Scott’s Gladiator is not only the best film about Ancient Warfare but also one of the best films in the history of cinema. Five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, warrant that distinction.

Scott hit a grand slam with his casting of Maximus (Russell Crowe) and Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix). Both actors are at the top of their game and best the Livius (Stephen Boyd) and Commodus (Christopher Plummer) roles and conflict in The Fall of the Roman Empire (1964) – a film that inspired much of Gladiator.

Screenwriters David Franzoni, John Logan and William Nicholson also deserve credit for using Maximus as the foundation to take the viewer through historical moments of Roman History – the Second Marcomannic War near Vindobona fought between the Romans and Germanic tribes, the recreation in the Colosseum of the Battle of Zama fought between Scipio Africanus and the Carthaginian Army (whose historical outcome is ruined by Maximus of course) and many of the Gladiatorial battles from the small province of Zucchabar to the capital in Rome.

Scott was able to take the best elements of The Fall of the Roman Empire (1964) and Spartacus (1960) – another film that heavily inspired Gladiator – and mold them into one of the best Historical Epics of all time. Though it remains to be seen if the upcoming Gladiator 2 can top its predecessor, for now at least, Gladiator remains the Imperator of the subgenre.

Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/45Av5zJ