Movies About Romans

From Ridley Scott, starring Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, Oliver Reed
Rated R

Gladiator is an epic historical drama set in the year 180 AD during the Roman Empire. Maximus Decimus Meridius is a loyal and brave Roman general who is betrayed when the emperor's ambitious son, Commodus, assassinates his father and seizes power. Maximus is sold into slavery and forced to become a gladiator. He rises through the ranks of the arena, gaining fame and respect, while plotting vengeance against the new emperor. As his fame grows, so does the power of his former army, who are trying to bring down Commodus and restore the Roman Republic. Meanwhile, Maximus must battle his inner demons and accept his new life as a gladiator in order to survive and ultimately seek revenge for the death of his family.

From William Wyler, starring Charlton Heston, Jack Hawkins, Stephen Boyd, Haya Harareet
Rated G

Ben-Hur is a classic Hollywood epic released in 1959, directed by William Wyler and starring Charlton Heston in the title role. The film tells the story of Judah Ben-Hur, a Jewish prince falsely accused of treason by his childhood friend Messala, who is now a commander in the Roman army. Ben-Hur is sentenced to slavery on a galley ship. After a spectacular sea battle, Ben-Hur is rescued by Sheik Ilderim and is determined to seek revenge against Messala. With the help of Ilderim, Ben-Hur enters a chariot race against Messala in an attempt to win his freedom. During the race, Messala is injured and Ben-Hur ultimately wins. After his victory, Ben-Hur is reunited with his family and forgives his former friend, who dies due to his injuries. Ben-Hur is ultimately freed from his enslavement and reconciles with his former captors. The film was a massive success, winning a record 11 Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Heston.

From Stanley Kubrick, starring Kirk Douglas, Laurence Olivier, Jean Simmons, Charles Laughton
Rated PG-13

Spartacus is a 1960 American epic historical drama film directed by Stanley Kubrick. The screenplay by Dalton Trumbo was based on the novel of the same title by Howard Fast. It stars Kirk Douglas in the title role, Laurence Olivier as Roman general and politician Marcus Licinius Crassus, Peter Ustinov as Lentulus Batiatus, John Gavin as Julius Caesar, Jean Simmons as Varinia, Charles Laughton as Sempronius Gracchus, and Tony Curtis as Antoninus. Spartacus tells the story of a Thracian slave who is bought by the Roman senator, Marcus Licinius Crassus. Crassus trains Spartacus as a gladiator, and he rapidly gains fame and respect. When Crassus' political rival, Sempronius Gracchus, organizes a revolt of the slaves, Spartacus leads the charge. The slaves eventually take control of the city, but are eventually defeated by the Roman army. With Spartacus captured, the Romans must decide his fate.

From Mel Gibson, starring Jim Caviezel, Monica Bellucci, Maia Morgenstern, Christo Jivkov
Rated R

From Alejandro Amenábar, starring Rachel Weisz, Max Minghella, Oscar Isaac, Ashraf Barhom
Rated R

From Neil Marshall, starring Michael Fassbender, Dominic West, Olga Kurylenko, Andreas Wisniewski
Rated R

From Kevin Reynolds, starring Joseph Fiennes, Tom Felton, Peter Firth, Cliff Curtis
Rated PG-13

From Kevin Macdonald, starring Channing Tatum, Jamie Bell, Donald Sutherland, István Göz
Rated PG-13

From Doug Lefler, starring Colin Firth, Ben Kingsley, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Peter Mullan
Rated PG-13