MOVIE CRITIC



MOVIE CRITIC

AP WORLD HISTORY EXTRA CREDIT – FALL SEMESTER

Here is an opportunity to view some films that have historical significance for extra credit. Many of these movies are somewhat accurate (some are more fun than accurate), but we do not have enough time in class to watch them. You may watch any of the films listed, but can only receive credit for up to two. Watch them not only for historical information, but take note of erroneous information. Some of the movies are on the list for the cultural perspective. Many are available on TV, DVD, and through streaming services. To receive credit, use the attached question and writing format for each film you view. All write-ups will be due the day we return from Thanksgiving Break, Monday, November 26, 2018. NO EXCEPTIONS!

Prehistory

Clan of the Cave Bear (Daryl Hannah, 1986, not nearly as good as the book)

Asia, Middle East, and Jewish History

Attila (2001 mini-series)

David and Bathsheba (Gregory Peck and Susan Hayward, 1951)

Harem (Nancy Travis, 1986, a little cheesy but good on eastern culture)

Joseph (Ben Kingsley, 1995)

King David (Richard Gere, 1985)

Moses (Ben again, 1996)

Noah (Russell Crowe, Emma Watson, 2014, you can ignore the environmental message that makes this movie PC)

Prince of Persia Sands of Time (2010)

Samson and Delilah (made for TV, 1996)

Shogun (1980, any 2 parts of the mini-series or the condensed video – excellent!)

Solomon and Sheba (Yul Brynner, 1959)

The Bible (Richard Harris, 1966 or the 2013 remake)

The Last Samurai (most recent release – good on Samurai culture)

The Prince of Egypt (only animated film on the list)

The Ten Commandments (Heston at his best, 1956)

Greece

300 (I’ll do this for the Spartans and the mythology, but remember the Persians are misrepresented)

Alexander

Alexander the Great (Richard Burton, 1956)

Clash of the Titans (1981, very cheesy but good on mythology or the remake in 2010 but no sequals)

Helen of Troy (either version, 1956 or 2003)

Jason and the Argonauts (tale of the Golden Fleece, 1963 or 2000)

The Odyssey (1997 mini-series)

The Sinbad Collection (any from the series, great special effects for the time, 1970s)

Troy (watch for inaccuracies since there are quite a few)

Roman Empire and Early Christianity

A Funny Thing Happened on The Way to the Forum (hilarious comedy based on Plautus’ play, “Miles

Gloriosos”, Zero Mostel, 1966)

Ben Hur (Heston classic, 1959, or the 2016 remake watch for the chariot race)

Cleopatra (Harrison, Burton, and Taylor epic, 1963, the newer version is okay also, doesn’t Hollywood have any original ideas?)

Gladiator (yes, the Russell Crowe movie)

I, Claudius (for those of you that love Latin)

Quo Vadis? (Nero, gladiators and gentiles, Deborah Kerr, 1951)

Spartacus (Kirk Douglas and Tony Curtis, 1960, not the series)

The Fall of the Roman Empire (all star cast, 1964)

The Greatest Story Every Told (1965)

The Passion of the Christ (Mel Gibson)

The Robe (1953)

** An Experiment ** You may choose to watch any part of the Star Wars trilogies, including the newest films, but in the write-up, each paragraph MUST tie into the Roman Republic and/or Empire. Use the trilogies as an allegory for Rome, I do NOT simply want a description of Star Wars. (I’ve watched them all a million times, so I know what they’re about!) There are many comparisons, not only in the politics, but culture as well.

Europe and Beyond - Middle Ages, Renaissance, and Age of Discovery

Apocalypto (Mel Gibson and the Mayans)

Beowulf

Braveheart (Mel Gibson)

El Cid (1961)

Elizabeth (Cate Blanchette, 1st movie and sequal okay)

Ever After (Francis I and Henry II Valios even though they were with Cinderella; it’s good on culture)

Hamlet (Gibson or Branagh or any of several other versions)

Henry V (Kenneth Branagh, 1989)

Ironclad (2011, Knights Templar and King John)

Ivanhoe (Elizabeth Taylor when she was young, 1952)

King Arthur (2004)

Kingdom of Heaven (Orlando Bloom)

Lady Jane Grey (a very young Helena Bonham Carter)

Luther (several versions out there)

Man for All Seasons (Henry VIII, any version)

Martin Luther (1953, 1973 or most recent version)

Othello (Branagh again, 1995, does this guy love Shakespeare or what?)

Richard III (1955)

Robin Hood (NOT “Men in Tights” or Disney animals – any other version okay)

Romeo and Juliet (NOT DiCaprio)

The 13th Warrior (1999 – very different Muslim/Viking epic)

The Agony and the Ecstasy (Michelangelo, 1965)

The Lion in Winter (Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine, 1968, fantastic!)

The Message (1976 – Anthony Quinn about the life of Muhammed)

The Messenger (Joan of Arc)

The Mission (Catholics in South America, 1986, great film score)

The Three Musketeers (any version except animated)

The Vikings (Kirk and Tony team up again, 1958, not the series)

Timeline (the book is better, good for battle scenes)

Tristan and Isolde (pre Romeo and Juliette)

** Some of these movies are rated “R” although there are many “G” movies on the list. If you do a review on a movie that was rated “R” at its theatrical release, you will not receive credit unless the parental permission space is signed and turned in with the review(s).

_____________________________ (Student Name)

This student has permission to review an R-rated movie for extra credit for AP History.

_____________________________ (Parental Signature)

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