My Top Ten "Epic" Movies

Since I hear the word "epic" so much, especially when talking about movies, I have thought of a list of movies that I believe actually are Epic.

Here are my guidelines that I followed: 1) It has to be a movie, but I think a few mini-series can classify as movies. 2) The movie has to take place over a period of years, or the story has to be very rich and grand. 3) As long as the story continues, I view sequels as part of an epic.

I hope you enjoy my list.


10: "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"

I only heard about this movie through reviews, but once I saw CCBB I knew that this movie will stand the test of time. Not only was this movie unique with its story of a man who ages backwards, but it crafts a beautiful story that is both happy and sad at the same time. The one part of the movie I love is that it makes death seem not as bad as it is. My only problem with this movie is that the end of the film is not as good as the beginning of the movie. I also know that this movie is very similar to Forrest Gump, but more on that later. If you haven't seen this film, I hope you will give it a chance and watch it.


9. "Fiddler on the Roof"

This is probably the sleeper on the list. I am not a huge fan of musicals, but this is the exception. If your not familar with the story, the movie is about a poor milk man and his family. He lives in a small jewish village with the "old ways." It is a sad movie that makes you realize that not everything goes the way it is planned. This is another movie I recommend. It is a musical, but there is not as much singing as in other musicals.


8. "Merlin," the mini-series

This is one of my favorite mini-series. This is yet another tale of the Arthurian legend, but with a twist. The mini-series is told through the eyes of Merlin. You realize that Merlin had a hard life, not only wanting to live his life the way he wanted, but he was forced to do magic against his will. The one thing I love is at the end Merlin says that no one would believe the real story, making you think what the real legend is. This is the best Arthurian tale in my opinion.


7. "Beowulf"

In all honesty, I do not think that this movie is that great, but I am more focused on the story of the film. I have read the original story in High School and did truly enjoy it. I find that whole aspect of a person who is able to kill Grendal, a monster terrorising a kingdom is very interesting. He finds the monsters mother and conceives a son. I liked that aspect because it made the dragon something important. The reason this movie is higher on the list than the others, is that the story is about Beowulf's whole life and his trials through his life.


6. "Tin Man," mini-series

I'm not going to lie. I have watched the Wizard of Oz my whole life, so I was really excited to watch this. Tin Man is the only good original Sci-Fi program ever. The writers knew what they were doing. They retold/remade/made a sequel to an amazing classic. The writers even made the characters unique while being completely plausible in the universe they created. If you haven't seen this, you need to see it.


5. "Forrest Gump"

In all honesty, I believe this is one of the most overrated films ever made, but it tells a story that has never been rivaled in terms of grandour. This is one of those movies that is either loved or hated. Anyone who watches movies has seen this movie, so I don't really need to say anything else about the film.


4. "The Godfather Trilogy"

I believe that all three films are on the same plane as each other. Yes even the third film. This is one of those movies that once you see you get it. The story isn't too grand, but it tells a great story of the Corleone family struck with sorrow and hardships.


3. "The Lord of the Rings Trilogy"

I don't even need to say anything about these movies. The books had a huge impact on literature, and the movies had an even bigger impact on fantasy films. With all three films being some of the highest grossing films of all time, odds are you have seen this.


2. "Star Wars Saga"

In all honesty, I have never liked any of the Star Wars films, but I completely appreciate what these movies have done to films and stories. These movies pretty much created, perfected, and overused special effects to no end. They also told a story that will always be admired and parodied forever. Nothing else needs to be said about these movies.


1. "Gone With the Wind"

I understand exactly why this movie is still being praised today. Once you see GWTW you know. This was one of the first epics ever made into film, and it's impact is still being felt today, almost 70 years after it was made. The story is timeless, not to mention it is the only romance movie I actually like. This film is very close to the source material, with only Scarlet having three children instead of just one and the book being a bit more valgar. This movie, in my opinion, is truly the only epic that people can still appreciate today just as much as when it was released.


I hope you have enjoyed my list.




Honorable Mentions:


"Titanic"

I personally don't like this movie, but I know how important this film is. With it being the highest grossing film of all time, people really like the story of Titanic, even after 87 years.


"Shawshank Redemption"

I freaking love this movie, but I just don't consider this an epic like the other films. This is the one movie you have to see if you call yourself a movie buff or even a movie lover.