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{{Short description|Style of filmmaking with large scale, sweeping scope, and spectacle}}
{{Distinguish|Epic Movie|Epic (film)}}
{{About|the film genre|films named "Epic"|Epic (disambiguation)#Film{{!}}Epic § Films}}
{{Original research|date=May 2008}}
]'' (1914), one of the earliest known epic films]]


'''Epic films''' have large scale, sweeping scope, and spectacle. The term is slightly ambiguous, sometimes designating a film ] and at other times simply big-budget films. Like ] in the classical literary sense, it is often focused on a ]ic character. An epic's ambitious nature helps to set it apart from other genres such as the ] or ].
In ], '''epic film''' is an ] that emphasizes human drama on a grand scale. Epics are more ambitious in scope than other film genres, and their ambitious nature helps to differentiate them from similar genres such as the ] or ]. Epic historical films often take a historical or imagined event, or a ]ic, ]ary, or heroic figure and add an extravagant, spectacular setting and lavish costumes, accompanied by a sweeping musical score, and an ] of ]s, making them among the most expensive of films to produce. Some of the most common subjects of epics are ], ], great military leaders, or leading personalities or figures from various periods in world history. Epics tend to focus on events that will affect the lives of many people, such as cataclysmic events, natural disasters, war, or political upheaval.<ref name="filmsite">{{cite news |last=Tim Dirks |title=Epic Films |publisher=Filmsite |date=2008-07-12 |url=http://www.filmsite.org/epicsfilms.html |accessdate=2008-07-12}}</ref>


Epic historical films would usually take a historical or a mythical event and add an extravagant setting, lavish costumes, an expansive ], and an ], which would make them extremely expensive to produce. The most common subjects of epic films are royalty and important figures from various periods in world history.<ref name="filmsite">{{cite news |last=Tim Dirks |title=Epic Films |publisher=Filmsite |date=12 July 2008 |url=http://www.filmsite.org/epicsfilms.html |access-date=12 July 2008}}</ref>
Epic films are expensive and lavish productions because they generally use on-location filming, authentic period ]s, ] scenes on a massive scale and large casts of characters. ]s are often less lavish versions of this genre.

Sometimes referred to as ]s, they depict the world of a period setting, often incorporating historical ]ry, specially designed costuming and wardrobes, exotic locales, spectacle, lavish ] and a sweeping ] style. They often transport viewers to other worlds or ]s, such as ], ] settings, the ], the ], the ], the ] era or the ]. Films involving modern battle sequences (]s) are also common settings in the epic film genre, as are ], and ] films set in space, on earth or other planets, with science fiction-oriented battle scenes on a massive scale or with a futuristic or post apocalyptic backdrop.


==Characteristics== ==Characteristics==
The term "epic" originally came from the poetic genre exemplified by such large works as the '']'', '']'', or the '']''. In classical literature, epics are considered works focused on deeds or journeys of heroes upon which the fate of a large number of people depend. Similarly, films described as "epic" typically take a historical character, or a ]ic heroic figure. However, there are some films described as "epic" almost solely on the basis of their enormous scope and the sweeping panorama of their settings such as '']'' or '']'' that do not have the typical substance of classical epics but are directed in an epic style. The term "epic" originally came from the poetic genre exemplified by such works as the '']'' and the works of the ]. In classical literature, epics are considered works focused on deeds or journeys of heroes upon which the fate of many people depends. Similarly, films described as "epic" typically take a historical character, or a ]ic heroic figure. Common subjects of epics are ], ], great military leaders, or leading personalities from various periods in world history. However, there are some films described as "epic" almost solely on the basis of their enormous scope and the sweeping panorama of their settings such as '']'' or '']'' that do not have the typical substance of classical epics but are directed in an epic style.


When described as "epic" because of content, an epic movie is often set during a time of war or other societal crisis, while covering a long span of time, in terms of both the events depicted and the running time of the film. Such films usually have a historical setting, although ] or ] settings have become common in recent decades. The central conflict of the film is usually seen as having far-reaching effects, often changing the course of ]. The main characters' actions are often central to the resolution of the societal conflict. When described as "epic" because of content, an epic movie is often set during a time of war or other societal crisis, while usually covering a longer span of time sometimes throughout entire generations coming and passing away, in terms of both the events depicted and the running time of the film. Such films usually have a historical setting, although ] (i.e. ] or ]) settings have become common in recent decades. The central conflict of the film is usually seen as having far-reaching effects, often changing the course of history. The main characters' actions are often central to the resolution of the societal conflict.


In its classification of films by genre, the ] limits the genre to historical films such as '']''. However, film scholars such as Constantine Santas are willing to extend the label to science-fiction films such as '']'' and '']''.<ref>{{cite book |title=Responding to film: a text guide for students of cinema art |last=Santas |first=Constantine |authorlink= |coauthors= |year=2002 |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |location= |isbn=0-8304-1580-7, 9780830415809 |page=32 |pages= |url= |accessdate=}}</ref> Nickolas Haydock suggests that "Surely one of the hardest film genres to define is that of the "epic" film, encompassing such examples as ''Ben-Hur'', '']''....and more recently, '']'' and the '']'' films...none of these comes from literary epics ''per se'', and there is little that links them with one another. Among those who espouse film genre studies, epic is one of the most despised and ignored genres"<ref>{{cite book |title=Hollywood in the Holy Land: essays on film depictions of the Crusades and Christian-Muslim clashes |last=Haydock |first=Nickolas |authorlink= |coauthors= |year=2009 |publisher=McFarland |location= |isbn=0-7864-4156-9, 9780786441563 |page=153 |pages= |url= |accessdate=}}</ref> Finally, although the ''American Movie Channel'' formally defines epic films as historical films, they nonetheless state the epic film may be combined with the genre of science-fiction and cite ''Star Wars'' as an example.<ref></ref> In its classification of films by genre, the ] limits the genre to historical films such as '']''. However, film scholars such as Constantine Santas are willing to extend the label to science-fiction films such as '']'' and '']''.<ref>{{cite book |title=Responding to film: a text guide for students of cinema art |last=Santas |first=Constantine |year=2002 |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |isbn=978-0-8304-1580-9 |page=32 }}</ref> Lynn Ramey suggests that "Surely one of the hardest film genres to define is that of the "epic" film, encompassing such examples as ''Ben-Hur'', '']'' and more recently, '']'' and the ''Star Wars'' films none of these comes from literary epics ''per se'', and there is little that links them with one another. Among those who espouse film genre studies, epic is one of the most despised and ignored genres".<ref>{{cite book |title=Hollywood in the Holy Land: essays on film depictions of the Crusades and Christian-Muslim clashes |last=Haydock |first=Nickolas |year=2009 |publisher=McFarland |isbn=978-0-7864-4156-3 |page= |url=https://archive.org/details/hollywoodinholyl0000unse/page/153 }}</ref> Finally, although the '']'' formally defines epic films as historical films, they nonetheless state the epic film may be combined with the genre of science-fiction and cite ''Star Wars'' as an example.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.filmsite.org/epicsfilms.html |title=Film Site Epics/Historical Films |publisher=Filmsite.org |access-date=2014-07-16}}</ref>


Stylistically, films classed as epic usually employ spectacular settings and specially designed costumes, often accompanied by a sweeping musical score, and an ] of ]s. Epics are usually among the most expensive of films to produce. They often use on-location filming, authentic period ]s, and action scenes on a massive scale. ]s may be less lavish versions of this genre. They often have a ] and are often shot on ].
⚫ Many writers may refer to any film that is "long" (over two hours) as an epic, making the definition epic a matter of dispute, and raise questions as to whether it is a "genre" at all. As ] put it, in his "Great Movies" article on '']'':<ref>{{cite web |url=http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20010902%2FREVIEWS08%2F109020301%2F1023 |title=Lawrence of Arabia (1962) |accessdate=2007-06-18 |author=Roger Ebert |authorlink=Roger Ebert |date=2001-09-02 |work=Great Movies |publisher=suntimes.com |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20050904211006/http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20010902/REVIEWS08/109020301/1023 |archivedate=2005-09-04}}</ref>


⚫ Many writers may refer to any film that is "long" (over two hours) as an epic, making the definition epic a matter of dispute, and raise questions as to whether it is a "genre" at all. As ] put it, in his "Great Movies" article on '']'':<ref>{{cite web |url=http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20010902%2FREVIEWS08%2F109020301%2F1023 |title=Lawrence of Arabia (1962) |access-date=2007-06-18 |author=Roger Ebert |author-link=Roger Ebert |date=2001-09-02 |work=Great Movies |publisher=suntimes.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050904211006/http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20010902%2FREVIEWS08%2F109020301%2F1023 |archive-date=2005-09-04 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
⚫ {{quote|The word ''epic'' in recent years has become synonymous with ''big budget ].'' What you realize watching ''Lawrence of Arabia'' is that the word ''epic'' refers not to the cost or the elaborate production, but to the size of the ideas and vision. ]'s '']'' didn't cost as much as the catering in '']'', but it is an epic, and ''Pearl Harbor'' is not.}}


⚫ {{quote|The word ''epic'' in recent years has become synonymous with ''big-budget ].'' What you realize watching ''Lawrence of Arabia'' is that the word ''epic'' refers not to the cost or the elaborate production, but to the size of the ideas and vision. Werner Herzog's '']'' didn't cost as much as the catering in '']'', but it is an epic, and ''Pearl Harbor'' is not.}}
The comedy film '']'' had the joking ], "''Makes ] look like an epic''."


==History== ==History==
The epic is among the oldest of film genres, with one early notable example being ]'s '']'', a three-hour silent film about the ] that laid the groundwork for the subsequent silent epics of ]. The epic is among the oldest of film genres, with one early notable example being ]'s '']'', a two-and-a-half hour{{sfn|Kinnard|Crnkovich|2017|p=7}} ] about the ], which laid the groundwork for the subsequent silent epics of ].


The genre reached a peak of popularity in the early 1960s,<ref name="allmovie">{{cite news |last=allmovie |title=Explore by genre:Epic |publisher=allmovieg |date=2008-07-12 |url=http://www.allmovie.com/cg/avg.dll?p=avg&sql=24:D%7c657 |accessdate=2008-07-12}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> when Hollywood frequently collaborated with foreign film studios (such as Rome's ]) to use relatively exotic locations in ], ], and elsewhere for the production of epic films. This boom period of international co-productions is generally considered to have ended with '']'' (1963), '']'' (1964), and '']'' (1965). Nevertheless, films in this genre continued to appear, with one notable example being '']'', which was released in the ] in 1966-67, directed by ]. The genre reached a peak of popularity in the early 1960s,<ref name="allmovie">{{cite news |last=allmovie |title=Explore by genre:Epic |publisher=allmovieg |date=2008-07-12 |url=http://www.allmovie.com/genre/epic-d657 |access-date=2014-03-05}}</ref> when Hollywood frequently collaborated with foreign film studios (such as Rome's ]) to use relatively exotic locations in Spain, Morocco and elsewhere for the production of epic films such as '']'' (1961) or '']'' (1962). This boom period of international co-productions is generally considered to have ended with '']'' (1963), '']'' (1964) and '']'' (1965). Nevertheless, films in this genre continued to appear, with one notable example being '']'', which was released in the former ] during 1967–1968. Epic films continue to be produced, although since the development of CGI they typically use computer effects instead of an actual cast of thousands. Since the 1950s, such films have regularly been shot with a wide ] for a more immersive and panoramic theatrical experience.


⚫ Epic films were recognized in a montage at the ].
Epic films continue to be produced, although since the development of CGI they typically use computer effects instead of an actual cast of thousands. Since the 1950s, such films have regularly been shot with a wide ] for a more immersive and panoramic theatrical experience.

⚫ Epic films were recognized in a montage at the ].

==Subgenres==
{{unreferenced section|date=July 2012}}

===War epics===
War epics are generally focused on specific battles in a war, P.O.W (Prisoner of War) camps or the personal consequences of living in an invaded/occupied country. Many war epics take place during ] or the ], with a notable exception being Sergio Leone's The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, set during the American Civil War.

Examples of the more contemporary based war epics include '']'' (1957), '']'' (1959-1961), '']'' (1979), '']'' (1981) and '']'' (1998).

===Historical epics===
Historical epics are epic films that take place in the historical past, often focusing on people who alter the course of history. A number of historical epics, especially those made in the 1950s and 1960s, are set in ancient times, particularly in ], ], or ]. Historical epics typically are more grand-scale than other types of epics, featuring elaborate sets and large numbers of extras.

Examples of historical epics include '']'' (1916), '']'' (1939), '']'' (1956), '']'' (1959), '']'' (1960), '']'' (]), '']'' (1962), '']'' (1963), '']'' (1965), '']'' (1975), '']'' (1982), '']'', (1993), '']'' (1995), '']'' (1997), '']'' (1999), '']'' (2000), '']'' (2004), '']'' (2004), '']'' (2005), and '']'' (2012).

===Religious epics===
Grand-scale films involving Jesus, Moses or other religious figures have been called religious, Quranic or Biblical epics. This genre was popular in the 1950s and was often associated with towering budgets and such stars as ]. Notable examples include '']'' (1951), '']'' (1956), and '']'' (1959). The 1960s brought the first attempt by a major studio to produce a religious epic in which the Christ Event was its singular focus. MGM released '']'' in 1961, inspired by a ] film of the same title from 1927. Four years later, '']'', directed by George Stevens, was completed for $25 million. A recent example is the 2004 ] film '']''. While the term "Biblical epics" is used to describe films based on Judeo-Christian stories, other films may be based in other religious traditions, such as '']'', which is based on ], and '']'', which is based on ].

===Romantic epics===
Romantic epics are ]s done on a large scale, usually in a historical setting. The romance itself is often portrayed in a counterpoint to war, conflict or political events in the background of the story. In these films, the romance and the main character's relationships are the centerpiece of the story, rather than a subplot. Some epic films portray a tempestuous romance against the background of war. The romance itself is often portrayed in a counterpoint to war, conflict or political events in the background of the story, while the romance is in the foreground. ''Gone with the Wind'' has been described as the archetypal romantic epic.<ref>http://www.mccookgazette.com/story/1485804.html</ref>

Examples include '']'' (1939), '']'' (1965), '']'' (1985), '']'' (1996), '']'' (1997), '']'' (2006), '']'' (2006), '']'' (2007), '']'' (2008), and '']'' (2012).

===Science fiction and fantasy epics===
Many epics include elements of science fiction, fantasy, or both. The ] movies are primarily science fiction epics with elements of fantasy. Fantasy epics include ]'s ] based on the ] by ], '']'' based on ]' ] and the eight-part ] based on the ] by ]. Other notable films include the '']'' series, Christopher Nolan's ], '']'', '']'' series, along with '']'' and its ].


==Public reception== ==Public reception==


===Gross revenue=== ===Gross revenue===
The enduring popularity of the epic is often accredited to their ability to appeal to a wide audience. Many of the ] have been epics.<ref name="BOM">{{cite web |url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/alltime/adjusted.htm |title=All Time Box Office Adjusted for Ticket Price Inflation |accessdate=2007-07-12 |author=Box Office Mojo |authorlink=Box Office Mojo |date= |work= |publisher=Box Office Mojo |archiveurl= |archivedate=}}</ref> The 1997 film '']'', which is cited as helping to revive the genre, grossed $600 million domestically and over $1.8 billion worldwide, making it the second highest grossing film of all-time, behind 2009's '']'',<ref>http://www.boxofficemojo.com/alltime/domestic.htm</ref> which grossed $2.7 billion worldwide. If inflation is taken into account, then the historical epic '']'' becomes the highest grossing film ever in the United States.<ref>http://www.boxofficemojo.com/alltime/adjusted.htm</ref> Adjusted for inflation it earned the equivalent of $1.6 billion in the United States alone.<ref name=BOM/> Adjusted for ticket price inflation, the science fiction/fantasy epic '']'' stands at number 2, with an adjusted gross of $1.4 billion in the United States.<ref name=BOM/> The enduring popularity of the epic is often credited to their ability to appeal to a wide audience. Several of the ] have been epics. ]'s 1997 film '']'', which is cited as helping to revive the genre, grossed $1.8 billion at cinemas worldwide to become the highest-grossing film—a record it held for twelve years.<ref name="Segers (2010)">{{cite news |first=Frank |last=Segers |title='Avatar' breaks 'Titanic' worldwide record |work=] |date=January 25, 2010 |access-date=December 4, 2010 |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/avatar-breaks-titanic-worldwide-record-19914}}</ref> If inflation is taken into account, then the historical romantic epic '']'' is the highest-grossing film ever, with two other romantic epics (''Titanic'' and '']'') also featuring among the global top ten.<ref name="Guinness 2015">{{cite book |title=Guinness World Records |edition=2015 |year=2014 |volume=60 |isbn=978-1-908843-70-8 |pages=160–161 |last1=Records |first1=Guinness World|publisher=Guinness World Records }}</ref>


===Academy Awards=== ===Academy Awards===
The largest number of ] ever won by a single film is 11. This feat has only been achieved by '']'', '']'' and '']''. All three of these films are considered epics. So far the most Academy Awards ever won by a single film stands at eleven. This feat has only been achieved by three films: '']'' (1959), '']'' (1997) and '']'' (2003), all of which are above three hours long and considered epic films. The previous record holder was ] (1939), also an epic, with ten awards.


==See also== ==See also==
{{commonscat|Epic films}}
*]
*] * ]
*] * ]
*] * ]
*] * ]
*] * ]
* ]


==References== ==References==
{{reflist|2}} {{reflist|30em}}
==Further reading==
* Constantine Santas, ''The Epic in Film: From Myth to Blockbuster''. Rowman & Littlefield, Lanham, Maryland: 2008. {{ISBN|978-0-7425-5528-0}}.
* Constantine Santas, James M. Wilson, Maria Colavito, Djoymi Baker, ''The Encyclopedia of Epic Films'', Rowman & Littlefield, Lanham, Maryland: 2014. {{ISBN|978-0-8108-8247-8}}
* {{Cite book|last1=Kinnard|first1=Roy|last2=Crnkovich|first2=Tony|date=2017|title=Italian Sword and Sandal Films, 1908-1990|publisher=McFarland|isbn=978-1476662916}}


{{Film genres}} {{Film genres}}
{{Filmsbygenre}} {{Filmsbygenre}}
{{Portal bar|Film}}


⚫ ]
] ]
⚫ ]

Latest revision as of 15:53, 17 January 2025

Style of filmmaking with large scale, sweeping scope, and spectacle This article is about the film genre. For films named "Epic", see Epic § Films.
Italian film Cabiria (1914), one of the earliest known epic films

Epic films have large scale, sweeping scope, and spectacle. The term is slightly ambiguous, sometimes designating a film genre and at other times simply big-budget films. Like epics in the classical literary sense, it is often focused on a heroic character. An epic's ambitious nature helps to set it apart from other genres such as the period piece or adventure film.

Epic historical films would usually take a historical or a mythical event and add an extravagant setting, lavish costumes, an expansive musical score, and an ensemble cast, which would make them extremely expensive to produce. The most common subjects of epic films are royalty and important figures from various periods in world history.

Characteristics

The term "epic" originally came from the poetic genre exemplified by such works as the Epic of Gilgamesh and the works of the Trojan War Cycle. In classical literature, epics are considered works focused on deeds or journeys of heroes upon which the fate of many people depends. Similarly, films described as "epic" typically take a historical character, or a mythic heroic figure. Common subjects of epics are royalty, gladiators, great military leaders, or leading personalities from various periods in world history. However, there are some films described as "epic" almost solely on the basis of their enormous scope and the sweeping panorama of their settings such as How the West Was Won or East of Eden that do not have the typical substance of classical epics but are directed in an epic style.

When described as "epic" because of content, an epic movie is often set during a time of war or other societal crisis, while usually covering a longer span of time sometimes throughout entire generations coming and passing away, in terms of both the events depicted and the running time of the film. Such films usually have a historical setting, although speculative fiction (i.e. fantasy or science fiction) settings have become common in recent decades. The central conflict of the film is usually seen as having far-reaching effects, often changing the course of history. The main characters' actions are often central to the resolution of the societal conflict.

In its classification of films by genre, the American Film Institute limits the genre to historical films such as Ben-Hur. However, film scholars such as Constantine Santas are willing to extend the label to science-fiction films such as 2001: A Space Odyssey and Star Wars. Lynn Ramey suggests that "Surely one of the hardest film genres to define is that of the "epic" film, encompassing such examples as Ben-Hur, Gone with the Wind and more recently, 300 and the Star Wars films none of these comes from literary epics per se, and there is little that links them with one another. Among those who espouse film genre studies, epic is one of the most despised and ignored genres". Finally, although the American Movie Channel formally defines epic films as historical films, they nonetheless state the epic film may be combined with the genre of science-fiction and cite Star Wars as an example.

Stylistically, films classed as epic usually employ spectacular settings and specially designed costumes, often accompanied by a sweeping musical score, and an ensemble cast of bankable stars. Epics are usually among the most expensive of films to produce. They often use on-location filming, authentic period costumes, and action scenes on a massive scale. Biographical films may be less lavish versions of this genre. They often have a Roadshow theatrical release and are often shot on 70 mm film.

Many writers may refer to any film that is "long" (over two hours) as an epic, making the definition epic a matter of dispute, and raise questions as to whether it is a "genre" at all. As Roger Ebert put it, in his "Great Movies" article on Lawrence of Arabia:

The word epic in recent years has become synonymous with big-budget B picture. What you realize watching Lawrence of Arabia is that the word epic refers not to the cost or the elaborate production, but to the size of the ideas and vision. Werner Herzog's Aguirre: The Wrath of God didn't cost as much as the catering in Pearl Harbor, but it is an epic, and Pearl Harbor is not.

History

The epic is among the oldest of film genres, with one early notable example being Giovanni Pastrone's Cabiria, a two-and-a-half hour silent film about the Punic Wars, which laid the groundwork for the subsequent silent epics of D. W. Griffith.

The genre reached a peak of popularity in the early 1960s, when Hollywood frequently collaborated with foreign film studios (such as Rome's Cinecittà) to use relatively exotic locations in Spain, Morocco and elsewhere for the production of epic films such as El Cid (1961) or Lawrence of Arabia (1962). This boom period of international co-productions is generally considered to have ended with Cleopatra (1963), The Fall of the Roman Empire (1964) and Doctor Zhivago (1965). Nevertheless, films in this genre continued to appear, with one notable example being War and Peace, which was released in the former Soviet Union during 1967–1968. Epic films continue to be produced, although since the development of CGI they typically use computer effects instead of an actual cast of thousands. Since the 1950s, such films have regularly been shot with a wide aspect ratio for a more immersive and panoramic theatrical experience.

Epic films were recognized in a montage at the 2006 Academy Awards.

Public reception

Gross revenue

The enduring popularity of the epic is often credited to their ability to appeal to a wide audience. Several of the highest-grossing films of all-time have been epics. James Cameron's 1997 film Titanic, which is cited as helping to revive the genre, grossed $1.8 billion at cinemas worldwide to become the highest-grossing film—a record it held for twelve years. If inflation is taken into account, then the historical romantic epic Gone with the Wind is the highest-grossing film ever, with two other romantic epics (Titanic and Doctor Zhivago) also featuring among the global top ten.

Academy Awards

So far the most Academy Awards ever won by a single film stands at eleven. This feat has only been achieved by three films: Ben-Hur (1959), Titanic (1997) and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003), all of which are above three hours long and considered epic films. The previous record holder was Gone with the Wind (1939), also an epic, with ten awards.

See also

References

  1. Tim Dirks (12 July 2008). "Epic Films". Filmsite. Retrieved 12 July 2008.
  2. Santas, Constantine (2002). Responding to film: a text guide for students of cinema art. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 32. ISBN 978-0-8304-1580-9.
  3. Haydock, Nickolas (2009). Hollywood in the Holy Land: essays on film depictions of the Crusades and Christian-Muslim clashes. McFarland. p. 153. ISBN 978-0-7864-4156-3.
  4. "Film Site Epics/Historical Films". Filmsite.org. Retrieved 2014-07-16.
  5. Roger Ebert (2001-09-02). "Lawrence of Arabia (1962)". Great Movies. suntimes.com. Archived from the original on 2005-09-04. Retrieved 2007-06-18.
  6. Kinnard & Crnkovich 2017, p. 7.
  7. allmovie (2008-07-12). "Explore by genre:Epic". allmovieg. Retrieved 2014-03-05.
  8. Segers, Frank (January 25, 2010). "'Avatar' breaks 'Titanic' worldwide record". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved December 4, 2010.
  9. Records, Guinness World (2014). Guinness World Records. Vol. 60 (2015 ed.). Guinness World Records. pp. 160–161. ISBN 978-1-908843-70-8.

Further reading

  • Constantine Santas, The Epic in Film: From Myth to Blockbuster. Rowman & Littlefield, Lanham, Maryland: 2008. ISBN 978-0-7425-5528-0.
  • Constantine Santas, James M. Wilson, Maria Colavito, Djoymi Baker, The Encyclopedia of Epic Films, Rowman & Littlefield, Lanham, Maryland: 2014. ISBN 978-0-8108-8247-8
  • Kinnard, Roy; Crnkovich, Tony (2017). Italian Sword and Sandal Films, 1908-1990. McFarland. ISBN 978-1476662916.
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