Big Screen Rome

by Monica Silveira Cyrino

Book Overview

Big Screen Rome is the first systematic survey of the most important and popular films from the past half century that reconstruct the image of Roman antiquity.

The first systematic survey of the most important and popular recent films about Roman antiquity. Shows how cinema explores, reinvents and celebrates the spectacle of ancient Rome. Films discussed in depth include Stanley Kubrick's Spartacus, Ridley Scott's Gladiator...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1405116846
• ISBN13: 9781405116848
• Release Date: December 2005
• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 1.15 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.2" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Rome on the Big Screen...

Well, not really. This is more about how Rome is seen as, and used to delivery a message, by Hollywood, writers and producers. Each movie is compared to the real events and examined in the context of the time period it was made in. The author also dives into gender issues, religion, comedy, sex, and the ideals that shaped these films. And there were some interesting facts. I would have never thought of A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum as a good example of daily life in Rome AND a good example of Roman comedy before reading this book. Why take away a point? Well, for example, The Fall Of The Roman Empire is discussed in the last chapter, which deals with Gladiator, but does not have its own chapter. It seems to have been a major work in the field and yet the author decided not to touch it. There are in fact many other films that could have been touched on, but the book seems to have been based on a course the author was developing. And that means goals, certain answers to certain questions. In other words, this book is the author's view point on the meaning and ideas behind the movies. Nice book, but get it used or out of the library. Now excuse me, while I go buy a few Roman movies and also search for some of the books in the very detailed and complete bibliography.