Jeffrey Richards examines the cultural, social, economic and technological circumstances that dictated the rise and decline of each successive cycle of Ancient World epics, from the silent film era, to the "golden age" of the 1950s, right up to the present day (Gladiator, 300, Rome). Analysis reveals that historical films are always as much about the time in which they are made as they are about the time in which they are set. The ancient world is often used to deliver messages to the contemporary audience about the present: hostility to totalitarian regimes both Fascist and Communist, concern at the decline of Christianity, support for the new state of Israel, celebrations of equality and democracy, and concern about changing gender roles. The whole adds up to a fresh look at a body of films that people think they know, but about which they will learn a good deal more.
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Editorial Reviews
Review
"Hollywood's Ancient Worlds tells the history of the Ancient World epics from the ... screen. ... Richards clearly knows these films backwards, and ... those with an even passing interest in the ... movies will find much to entertain .." - Ham & High
"From Ben-Hur and Spartacus to Gladiator and Alexander, Richards shows how depictions of the ancient world say more about their own time than the loincloths suggest"
A four out of five star rating
A four out of five star rating
Empire Online, October 2008
'a serious exploration of the cinematic epic.'
Times Higher Education - Book of the Week, 29 September, 2008
(Philip Kemp )Mention —Book News, February 2009
'...especially good on where these films come from, blending the history of art, theatre and cinematography with a lightness of touch that brings a serious message to the anecdotal...' History Today, 01 January 09
(Caroline Vout )"The best work on a film genre I have read for years." The Veteran
'Hollywood's Ancient Worlds is the first serious scholarly treatment of its topic. It's packed with information, as befits the product of a Professor of Cultural History at the University of Lancaster who specializes in Victorian theatre and 20th Century cinema. Richards has also produced a jargon-free book which is fun to read and maintains a sense of proportion about the films he discusses.' -Popmatters.com
'Unlinke many a film book these days, this one speaks with authority and is supported by extensive footnoting ... Written with verve and a wealth of detail ... Hollywood's Ancient Worlds is a pleasure to read and worth the investment.' - Bright Lights Film Journal
"Hollywood's Ancient Worlds never loses sight of the contemporary sub-texts. Richards judiciously separates the Roman, Biblical and Greek or Egyptian sagas into discrete chapters for his examination of the genre's Technicolored, widescreen, stereophonic hayday, the 1950's and 1960's...Richards has produced a fine book on screen recreations of republics and empires long vanished. His final chapter is an excellent, extensive account of the 'Ancient World revival', reaching as far back as the 1970's."
the drouth, 2009
'a serious exploration of the cinematic epic.'
Times Higher Education - Book of the Week, 29 September, 2008
(, )Mention –Book News, February 2009
'...especially good on where these films come from, blending the history of art, theatre and cinematography with a lightness of touch that brings a serious message to the anecdotal...' History Today, 01 January 09
(, )'Hollywood’s Ancient Worlds is the first serious scholarly treatment of its topic. It’s packed with information, as befits the product of a Professor of Cultural History at the University of Lancaster who specializes in Victorian theatre and 20th Century cinema. Richards has also produced a jargon-free book which is fun to read and maintains a sense of proportion about the films he discusses.' -Popmatters.com
"Hollywood’s Ancient Worlds never loses sight of the contemporary sub-texts. Richards judiciously separates the Roman, Biblical and Greek or Egyptian sagas into discrete chapters for his examination of the genre’s Technicolored, widescreen, stereophonic hayday, the 1950’s and 1960’s…Richards has produced a fine book on screen recreations of republics and empires long vanished. His final chapter is an excellent, extensive account of the 'Ancient World revival’, reaching as far back as the 1970’s."
the drouth, 2009
About the Author
Jeffrey Richards is Professor of Cultural History at the University of Lancaster and a leading authority on Victorian popular culture, the Victorian theatre and twentieth century cinema. His study of Henry Irving (Hambledon 2005) was shortlisted for the Theatre History Book Prize. He is a regular reviewer and broadcaster.
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