What do you consider an "epic?"

[Sussudio]

In my opinion, one of the most overused terms in cinema is "epic" (I'm so sick of hearing people say The Dark Knight was an epic ) and I'd be interested in hearing how members on this forum would define the term. Can you even define it? What movies do you consider to be epics?

I think one of the most fundamental standards for epics is time. At the very least, a movie that spans several months, years, or decades has the beginnings of what constitutes an epic for me...but even that could be argued. Some examples I would give: Lawrence of Arabia, 2001 A Space Odyssey, Citizen Kane, Superman I, and Wyatt Earp. I'm sure I can think of more but those are some of my favorites and what I would personally define as "epics." What about you?

[Blu-Benny]

i'd define it as something done on a massive scale.

LOTR would be the one that jumps to my mind.

in my brain, movies like gladiator, 300, and troy are "epics."

another along those lines could be ben-hur.

why i think this, i don't know. i hear "epic" and go to that "time."

[sfmarine]

Ben Hur...definitely.

LOTR

[cynatnite]

For me, it's not that it spans years...it's the scope and scale of the movie. They're usually very ambitious and have high production values. They'll also have an ensemble cast.

Movies that I consider epics...

Spartacus
Gladiator
Gone With The Wind
Ben Hur
Ten Commandments (Charleton Heston)
Titanic
Australia
Scarface
LOTR movies

[Deadset]

Here is THE example of Epic.



Of course it's my favorite movie of all time, so I'm a bit biased, but you can't argue that RAN is not Epic.

And here is my close 2nd Epic movie of all time

[surfdude12]

-very imposing or impressive; surpassing the ordinary (especially in size or scale); "an epic voyage"; "of heroic proportions"; "heroic sculpture"

-epic poem: a long narrative poem telling of a hero's deeds

wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn

put these 2 together: an imposing, impressive, film that surpasses the ordinary (in size or scale) telling of a hero's deeds.

[sfmarine]

[Beast]

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Blu-Benny

i'd define it as something done on a massive scale.

LOTR would be the one that jumps to my mind.

in my brain, movies like gladiator, 300, and troy are "epics."

another along those lines could be ben-hur.

why i think this, i don't know. i hear "epic" and go to that "time."

I agree. SCALE.

Running time, and the time the film covers as well, but scale really counts.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by sfmarine

Ben Hur...definitely.

LOTR

LOST is epic.

[sfmarine]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

LOST is epic.

Ah...It's the same amount of letters as LOTR..I meant to put LOST...

[LordCrumb]

LOTR is EPIC

[toef]

I agree with what a lot of others have said, particularly the octopus marionette guy, and his use of the word scale.

Running time plays a big role. I'm thinking 3 hours+. Expansive settings/scenery is a big part too. Some sort of grand story helps too.

The first movie that comes to mind is always Lawrence of Arabia.

Others include LotR, Ben-Hur, Gone With the Wind.... and that's all that come to mind.

MAYBE something like 2001: A Space Odyssey, or Lonesome Dove might come next, but seem like a step down from the others.

Another step down would be things like 300, Kingdom of Heaven, Braveheart, Star Wars, etc, which seem to fit most of the definitions in my head, but just don't have that "epic" feel in my mind. Troy/King Arthur/Alexander, all seem like wannabe epics.

[Q?]

Any Chuck Norris movie is EPIC.

[Elvis]

Scale and Time.....time as in "how have they held up for at LEAST 15 to 20 years.


Not Epic: LOTR, 300, Troy, Avatar, Titanic, Batman Films ..etc etc...NOT EPIC! At least not yet!

EPIC: GWTW, Ben Hur, Lawerence of Arabia, Bridge on the River Kwai, The Godfathers, Schindlers List, Dr Zhivago, Seven samurai, Dances With Wolves etc...

I remember when 300 first came out and my nephews were talking about it being "epic"....epic must mean a different thing to them.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Elvis

Scale and Time.....time as in "how have they held up for at LEAST 15 to 20 years.


Not Epic: LOTR, 300, Troy, Avatar, Titanic, Batman Films ..etc etc...NOT EPIC! At least not yet!

EPIC: GWTW, Ben Hur, Lawerence of Arabia, Bridge on the River Kwai, The Godfathers, Schindlers List, Dr Zhivago, Seven samurai, Dances With Wolves etc...

I remember when 300 first came out and my nephews were talking about it being "epic"....epic must mean a different thing to them.

Good movie, but does NOT qualify as epic. Small on scale, very confined setting..... Its just not epic enough.

[Crimson King]

GoodFellas and Casino.

[Elvis]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Good movie, but does NOT qualify as epic. Small on scale, very confined setting..... Its just not epic enough.

are u kidding?

[Diesel]

Originally Posted by Elvis

I remember when 300 first came out and my nephews were talking about it being "epic"....epic must mean a different thing to them.

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=epic

Definition 3

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Elvis

are u kidding?

What is epic about it? I dont consider a great movie that has been considerd great for 50 years epic... I consider it a "Classic".

It takes place in mostly one location. Runtime under 3 hours. Nothing to speak of in terms of costumes or sets.

Great movie, not epic.