Beginning in the 1950s, there was a rise in sword-and-sandal movies that dominated Hollywood before being rekindled again in the early 2000s. Though originally, they started in Italy under the term ‘peplum’ which refers to the traditional peplos garment from Ancient Greece.
So with that loose definition, we get a wide variety of films ranging from biblical epics to historical dramas with the common thread being they all take place in Ancient times. With that said, some sword-and-sandal movies have gone on to become classics while others haven’t. There are even some that are arguably underrated and deserve recognition now.
Classic - Troy (2004)
Among the works from Ancient Greece, The Iliad is one of the most influential. Credited to Homer, this epic poem tells the story of the Trojan War which several mythical figures participated in such as Achilles.
While there is some debate over whether the events have historical roots or not, the poem has many film adaptations including Troy. Released in 2004, this film is both grandiose and somewhat realistic with an ensemble cast to boot.
Underrated - Jason And The Argonauts (1963)
During the initial popularity of sword-and-sandal movies, a stop-motion animator named Ray Harryhausen got to work on fantasy films in this genre. One of the most notable films he worked on was Jason and the Argonauts from 1963.
Though it takes liberties on the Greek legends, the film makes up for it with special effects that are still good by today’s standards. Plus, its take on the Greek Gods is surprisingly nuanced.
Classic - Gladiator (2000)
Prior to Troy, the film that arguably reinvigorated the sword-and-sandal genre was Gladiator. Directed by Ridley Scott, this semi-historical drama has Russell Crowe playing an Ancient Roman general named Maximus whose life gets ruined.
As a result, he becomes a slave and gladiator who rises in fame to avenge his family who were murdered. Though it visually borrows from older films like Spartacus, it imparts a sense of realism that’s fairly unique.
Underrated - Cleopatra (1963)
Like any major film trend, the sword-and-sandal movies’ popularity was matched by their enormous budgets. Though in some cases, this somewhat backfired as was the case with the historical epic Cleopatra.
Notoriously known for almost bankrupting 20th Century Fox and having an incredibly long runtime, that doesn’t take away Cleopatra’s strengths. For instance, it has great actors like Elizabeth Taylor in the title role and amazing sets that are appealing to look at.
Classic - Ben-Hur (1959)
If there’s one film that arguably encapsulates the broad appeal of sword-and-sandal movies, it’s Ben-Hur. Based on a Christian novel, it’s had film adaptations spanning from the early days of cinema to the 2010s.
Though the one most people recognize without having necessarily seen the film is the 1959 adaptation starring Charlton Heston as the title character. Particularly, the chariot race where Ben-Hur goes against his friend-turned-bitter enemy Messala.
Underrated - The Fall Of The Roman Empire (1964)
Historically, the Roman Empire lasted a long time before dissolving due to constant invasions and political turmoil. Films like The Fall of the Roman Empire from 1964 attempt to capture this part of history, though it failed financially and critically.
Still, this film has had positive reevaluation and it’s easy to see why. It has grand sets, great actors, and is darker in tone than other sword-and-sandal films made at the time.
Classic - Spartacus (1960)
Before the STARZ show, there was the 1960 Spartacus film starring Kirk Douglas and directed by Stanley Kubrick (who was relatively unknown at the time). This was also the first film that credited screenwriter Dalton Trumbo after he was blacklisted.
As for the film itself, it goes beyond a typical sword-and-sandal movie and tells a universally renowned story. Plus, Spartacus doesn’t paint a very flattering image of the Roman Empire, unlike its contemporaries.
Underrated - The Robe (1953)
One of the unpleasant aspects of the Roman Empire was its persecution of Christians, which is reflected in the Bible with Jesus’ crucifixion. Now whether Jesus was a real person or not, his story has been referenced in several sword-and-sandal movies.
This includes The Robe, where one of the Roman soldiers who crucified Jesus is overcome by religious guilt. Despite a low Rotten Tomatoes score, there’s a lot to appreciate about this film.
Classic - The Ten Commandments (1956)
Arguably the film that popularized the sword-and-sandal genre, The Ten Commandments (1956) is a remake of a silent film done by the same director. Though both have their strengths, the ‘50s remake is more widely known than its silent counterpart.
Based on definition of a classic.
Underrated - The Egyptian (1954)
Because there are many sword-and-sandal movies, some get forgotten. Among the hidden gems is The Egyptian from 1954, which is a fictional story about a physician in Ancient Egypt.
While that doesn’t sound interesting on the surface, it has recognizable actors who would later appear in classic films like Spartacus. Plus, the story is set against the backdrop of Pharaoh Akhenaten’s rule who created a monotheistic religion that predates Christianity let alone Judaism.
