What do you consider an "epic?"

[Diesel]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

I agree. SCALE.

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

I agree with Mr. Squid

[SquidPuppet]

Also...

While 300 isnt really an epic film, the Battle of Thermopylae sure was.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Diesel

I agree with Mr. Squid

Therefore, a 190 minute directors cut of T4 would qualify as EPIC.

[Diesel]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Therefore, a 190 minute directors cut of T4 would qualify as EPIC.

So long as it meets the mini-gun quota

[SquidPuppet]

Band of Brothers is an epic mini-series.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Diesel

So long as it meets the mini-gun quota

Oh...and it would.

[Elvis]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Band of Brothers is an epic mini-series.

So is Winds of War, War and Remembrance AND Lonesome Dove

[Crimson King]

Would "Jesus of Nazereth" count even though it was a mini-series?

[jonsmith369]

The 2-disc version of 2012 has a Featurette titled "Roland Emmerich: The Master of the Modern Epic" maybe we should ask him what qualifies since he is the Master.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Elvis

So is Winds of War, War and Remembrance AND Lonesome Dove

There ya go.

[SquidPuppet]

For those who have seen The Passion of The Christ, would that be considered an epic? The subject matter is heavy enough. I have never seen it.

[GORT]

633821522891707835-epic.jpg

[Elvis]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

For those who have seen The Passion of The Christ, would that be considered an epic? The subject matter is heavy enough. I have never seen it.

I cant remember the running time but it has to be at least 180 Minutes.

oh no wait....it's too new.

[SquidPuppet]

This is only about 20 seconds...but it is EPIC.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcaZarxilJQ

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Elvis

I cant remember the running time but it has to be at least 180 Minutes.

oh no wait....it's too new.

Good one.

[jadedeath]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

For those who have seen The Passion of The Christ, would that be considered an epic? The subject matter is heavy enough. I have never seen it.

I wouldn't really call it epic...

For me an epic would be large scale vistas {or battle scenes} sweeping scope and something that's large but also has personal meaning to the viewer.

Passion of the Christ doesn't really have any of that IMO.

Logan

[Elvis]

Oh an intermission should be a must!

[Beast]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

For those who have seen The Passion of The Christ, would that be considered an epic? The subject matter is heavy enough. I have never seen it.

Sorry, Snuff films are not epic in nature.

[P@t_Mtl]

GI Joe

[garyrc]

Epics have the following common characteristics:

.They are large scale
.They are historical (real or fictional history)
.They cover many years
.They usually, but not always, include a deity or deities

In The Structure of Literature, Paul Goodman made an interesting distinction that some experts support, and others do not: To him, both epics and historical romances have the first three characteristics listed above, but the difference between an epic and a historical romance is that a historical romance is set against the background of historical events, but the characters don't act to change history (except, perhaps, in subtle or hidden ways) -- so Gone with the Wind would be a historical romance, rather than an epic -- but in an epic, the main character(s) "turn the page of history," and we are aware of the changes they have set in motion, or have personally brought about.. Once again, the history can be real or fictional. Out of this comes the debate as to whether Ben-Hur is an epic or a historical romance. The novel is certainly an epic, because the last few sentences revealing what use Ben-Hur's treasure (that Simonides had hidden) was put to would alone turn the page of history, and make it an epic. Wyler chose to exclude this brief tidbit, in favor of emphasizing the personal -- and I certainly agree with his decision; it makes it a better film. Goodman might say that this exclusion makes the movie a historical romance. Others counter that the subtitle was "A Tale of the Christ," and that reinforces the idea that Christ is a main character, even though he has little screen time, and doesn't speak, but is quoted. The vehicle is his effect on Ben-Hur, Ben-Hur's family, Esther, and Balthazar, and we are meant to realize that he had a similarly powerful effect on others, and, as we already were aware, Christ changed history, therefore the movie, since it has all of the other requisite characteristics, is an epic, according to Goodman's definition. I think it is.

In film, I also associate epics with a large canvas, i.e., after the advent of widescreen, they are almost always shot in a widescreen process, and most have powerful, earth moving sound and music.