Ever since D.W. Griffith’s 1916 silent epic Intolerance, the silver screen has long held an obsession with ancient civilizations. As audiences, we love seeing history brought to life in front of our eyes, and the announcements of sequels to Ridley Scott’s 2000 epic Gladiator and the long-running Indiana Jones franchise show that this appetite is as strong as ever. What makes us so fascinated with centuries-old cultures and why is film such a fitting medium for telling these stories?
The Allure of Mythology and Religion in Ancient Cultures
Of course, this genre isn’t limited to film. Countless books have been written about ancient civilizations, from Robert Graves’ 1934 novel I, Claudius to the Asterix comics by René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo. Many online games are also inspired by ancient civilizations, like the Fireblaze jackpot slot games by Paddy Power. Games like Pharoah’s Daughter invite the player to unlock the secrets of Ancient Egypt. These historical settings are likely a reason so many gamers love to play fireblaze games online. It would seem then that this fascination is an ingrained part of human culture, and is reflected in all art forms including cinema. Stories of ancient civilizations appeal to us for a number of reasons, one being our love of mythology.
Myths and legends can be found in every human culture, past and present. The “sword and sandal” subgenre of historical and/or mythological epics that flourished in the 1950s and 1960s was particularly influential on modern cinema.
Don Chaffey’s 1963 epic Jason and the Argonauts, for example, brought the Ancient Greek legend to life with groundbreaking special effects like the iconic skeleton warriors designed by stop-motion animator Ray Harryhausen. With ancient mythology featuring fantastical creatures like dragons, minotaurs, and hydras, the visual aspect of the cinematic medium can make these stories particularly awe-inspiring.
Like mythology, religion is also a theme that has always been popular onscreen. Movies like Ben-Hur, Noah, The Passion of the Christ, and The Last Temptation of Christ have transfixed modern audiences by depicting the ancient origins of belief systems that many hold close to their hearts. Whether they treat their source material with reverence, new perspectives, or even humor (such as in Monty Python’s Life of Brian), movies exploring these themes usually make an impact.
Ancient vs. Modern Cultural Values Onscreen
Another area in which ancient civilizations are of interest is that of cultural values, and how they may differ from or closely resemble our own modern values. Movies like 300, Hero, and Gladiator explore ancient codes of honor, particularly for warriors and soldiers. In many ways, these diverge from our own cultural codes, and in other ways, we can see the origins of modern values in the civilizations depicted. Movies like Indiana Jones, Tomb Raider, The Mummy, and Uncharted even show contemporary characters coming face-to-face with ancient cultures, and often unwittingly awakening centuries-old curses or creatures that threaten our modern way of life.
Our cultural fascinations with history, mythology, and our place in the world all contribute to the immense popularity of depicting ancient civilizations onscreen. The visual aspect of the cinematic medium also makes it ideal for bringing them to life.
