Epic or Not an Epic
03-30-04, 05:30 PM
#27
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Originally posted by Terrell
Star Wars most certainly is epic, and it's a space opera. Saying it's a space opera, not an epic, is crazy. Whether it's a space opera or not is completely irrelevant to whether it's an epic or not.
What DonnanChaOne said is correct. Star Wars has everything required of an epic.
Hero's Journey
Grand scope and scale
Big, Glorious deeds
It certainly fits all of the definitions of the dictionary!
Star Wars most certainly is epic, and it's a space opera. Saying it's a space opera, not an epic, is crazy. Whether it's a space opera or not is completely irrelevant to whether it's an epic or not.
What DonnanChaOne said is correct. Star Wars has everything required of an epic.
Hero's Journey
Grand scope and scale
Big, Glorious deeds
It certainly fits all of the definitions of the dictionary!
03-30-04, 07:11 PM
#28
DVD Talk Special Edition
Thread Starter
Originally posted by Trigger
epic:
LOTR
Gladiator
Apocalypse Now
Hero
Musa
epic:
LOTR
Gladiator
Apocalypse Now
Hero
Musa
Gladiator: Quite honestly, borderline in my book, but Roman slave rebellion is a great start on epicosity and I think it makes it to Epic status
Apcalypse Now: Defiantely not an epic. But so damn close, just for the helicopter stuff alone. But a movie so much about the inside of the mind as anything.
I haven't seen Hero and Musa.
But is Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon an epic?
03-30-04, 08:35 PM
#30
DVD Talk Legend
epics:
Anything made by David Lean circa 1956-1969
LOTR
Star Wars
South Park: Bigger, Longer,Uncut -come on, you know it is, and a musical to boot!
Not epics:
Amadeus
anything made by Michael Bay, especially Pearl Harbor
Pulp Fiction
Debatable:
Forrest Gump-more like an epic told from a simpleton's POV
Kill Bill-more of an action IMO, but I'll wait until Vol. 2 to make a final call
Apocalypse Now
Anything made by David Lean circa 1956-1969
LOTR
Star Wars
South Park: Bigger, Longer,Uncut -come on, you know it is, and a musical to boot!
Not epics:
Amadeus
anything made by Michael Bay, especially Pearl Harbor
Pulp Fiction
Debatable:
Forrest Gump-more like an epic told from a simpleton's POV
Kill Bill-more of an action IMO, but I'll wait until Vol. 2 to make a final call
Apocalypse Now
03-30-04, 08:45 PM
#31
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Originally posted by Dr. DVD
anything made by Michael Bay, especially Pearl Harbor
anything made by Michael Bay, especially Pearl Harbor
03-30-04, 09:52 PM
#32
DVD Talk Godfather
I agree with jaeufraser. Just because you don't like a movie doen't make it not an epic. I would say Pearl Harbor is quite epic. I hated Gladiator & Titanic, but I would call both of them epics.
Now what about:
Babe: Pig in the City
Now what about:
Babe: Pig in the City
03-31-04, 12:24 AM
#34
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Star Wars - definately an epic. many varied locations, a hero's journey, good vs. evil, massive battles, and characters that you care about, etc..All these things qualify as an epic.
Pearl Harbor - 3 hours of film with an hour long battle and poorly written, uncharismatic characters does not make an epic. (and I actually like this film)
Titanic - not an epic. Just doesn't have an epic feel.
Gladiator - epic
Forrest Gump - the main character is not quite a typical heroic character but the scope of the film and his accomplishments and his life were epic. I'd have to say it is an epic.
Pearl Harbor - 3 hours of film with an hour long battle and poorly written, uncharismatic characters does not make an epic. (and I actually like this film)
Titanic - not an epic. Just doesn't have an epic feel.
Gladiator - epic
Forrest Gump - the main character is not quite a typical heroic character but the scope of the film and his accomplishments and his life were epic. I'd have to say it is an epic.
03-31-04, 09:34 AM
#36
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Anyone else sick of reading the word "epic" yet?
It's been mentioned several times so far, actually.
Originally posted by taa455
Why has nobody mentioned Lord of the Rings? All three films combined definitely make an epic.
Why has nobody mentioned Lord of the Rings? All three films combined definitely make an epic.
03-31-04, 10:42 AM
#37
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These all come to mind:
1. Braveheart
2. Gladiator
3. Michael Collins
4. Glory
5. Titanic
6. Pealr Harbor
7. Apollo 13
I debated about including Apollo 13, it is the least epic of the others, I'll admit.
1. Braveheart
2. Gladiator
3. Michael Collins
4. Glory
5. Titanic
6. Pealr Harbor
7. Apollo 13
I debated about including Apollo 13, it is the least epic of the others, I'll admit.
03-31-04, 10:57 AM
#38
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Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary displayed this:
Main Entry: 1ep·ic
Pronunciation: 'e-pik
Function: adjective
Etymology: Latin epicus, from Greek epikos, from epos word, speech, poem -- more at VOICE
1 : of, relating to, or having the characteristics of an epic
2 a : extending beyond the usual or ordinary especially in size or scope <his genius was epic -- Times Literary Supplement> b : HEROIC
The word is usually in connected with poetry and writing. This means that we must adjust this to a cinematic point of view. I therefore made a search on imdb.com and they had this in their glossary:
A film with large dramatic scope or that required an immense production.
Here is also a link to film that were considered Epic's in imdb.com
EPIC FILMS ON IMDB.COM
In my translation and understanding of the meaning of the word epic. I conclude that in regards to cinema epic is a longer than usual visual experience that contains some element or elements of heroism. Of course this is slightly ambigious as is the world with no clearly defined lines in between the grays.
Cheers
DVD Smurf
Main Entry: 1ep·ic
Pronunciation: 'e-pik
Function: adjective
Etymology: Latin epicus, from Greek epikos, from epos word, speech, poem -- more at VOICE
1 : of, relating to, or having the characteristics of an epic
2 a : extending beyond the usual or ordinary especially in size or scope <his genius was epic -- Times Literary Supplement> b : HEROIC
The word is usually in connected with poetry and writing. This means that we must adjust this to a cinematic point of view. I therefore made a search on imdb.com and they had this in their glossary:
A film with large dramatic scope or that required an immense production.
Here is also a link to film that were considered Epic's in imdb.com
EPIC FILMS ON IMDB.COM
In my translation and understanding of the meaning of the word epic. I conclude that in regards to cinema epic is a longer than usual visual experience that contains some element or elements of heroism. Of course this is slightly ambigious as is the world with no clearly defined lines in between the grays.
Cheers
DVD Smurf
Last edited by DVD Smurf; 03-31-04 at 11:02 AM.
04-01-04, 10:34 AM
#39
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Master & Commander: The Far Side Of The World is not an epic. Sure, it's grand 'n' all, but there's no grand, sweeping, long story. It's more of an episode in "The epic of Jack Aubrey", so to speak. The Far Side Of The World is to Master & Commander as the Cyclops adventure is to the Odyssey; not an epic in itself, but a small part of a much larger epic.
04-01-04, 11:31 AM
#40
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If it meets the following criteria, then it's an Epic:
A long narrative film in a dignified style about the deeds of a traditional or historical hero or heroes.
The protaganist must be heroic; grand; majestic; imposing.
The film must deal with or be characterized by events of historical or legendary importance.
A long narrative film in a dignified style about the deeds of a traditional or historical hero or heroes.
The protaganist must be heroic; grand; majestic; imposing.
The film must deal with or be characterized by events of historical or legendary importance.
05-11-04, 12:46 PM
#46
DVD Talk Special Edition
Thread Starter
Originally posted by Neville
How about:
Schindler's List
Spartacus
Once Upon A Time in America
I don't remember if Braveheart was mentioned..
How about:
Schindler's List
Spartacus
Once Upon A Time in America
I don't remember if Braveheart was mentioned..
Schilders: Interesting, perhaps a dark epic
I haven't yet seen OUATIA.
05-12-04, 01:12 AM
#49
DVD Talk Special Edition
Thread Starter
Originally posted by Tarantino
What about the Godfather?
What about the Godfather?
A better question would be to me, is Goodfellas? I lean towards no, but I love the movie.
