Peplum Paradise Part 7: Historical and Fantasy TV Dramas.
by PeplumParadise | created - 29 Dec 2013 | updated - 24 Apr 2016 | PublicThis is a list of historical (set pre-1800) or historical-fantasy Dramas made for television - including series and TV movies - produced Internationally from 1949 until the present day.
The list does NOT include TV Documentaries.
The list is alphabetical using the most common English titles (where applicable), so the IMDb titles may appear to be all over the place alphabetically.
This list is certainly incomplete and a work in progress, so I would welcome any suggestions of titles I may have omitted.
I have included a few additional titles at the end of the main list which bear some relevance to the subject.
I will be updating the list regularly with new and expanded reviews and any new titles that I may discover.
Latest Updates:
Review: Hercules (2005)
Review: Samson And Delilah (1984)
Review: Cyclops (2008)
This list is a companion piece to my other lists:
Peplum Paradise Part 1: Italian Historical and Fantasy films 1949-1969 [link]http://www.imdb.com/list/9zpI-Wdt6pU/[/link],
Peplum Paradise Part 2: Italian Historical and Fantasy films from 1970 onwards [link]http://www.imdb.com/list/ZRRuOUh_u_o/[/link]
Peplum Paradise Part 3: International Historical and Fantasy films 1949 onwards (http://www.imdb.com/list/R3yu3z-zETE/)
Peplum Paradise Part 4: Asian Historical and Fantasy films 1949 onwards [link]http://www.imdb.com/list/EzDXbxNzBXI/[/link]
Peplum Paradise Part 5: Animated Historical and Fantasy films 1949 onwards [link]http://www.imdb.com/list/XHCOctNtVqg/[/link]
Peplum Paradise Part 6: International Historical and Fantasy films Pre-1949 (http://www.imdb.com/list/R3yu3z-zETE/)
This list includes some titles and reviews which were formerly included in my other lists.
- Instant Watch Options
- Genres
- Movies or TV
- IMDb Rating
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- Release Year
- Keywords
101. The Lion in Winter (2003 TV Movie)
167 min | Drama, History, Romance
King Henry II meets with Eleanor of Aquitaine at Christmastide 1183 to choose one of his sons as his successor.
Director: Andrey Konchalovskiy | Stars: Glenn Close, Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Andrew Howard
Votes: 2,392
Well this is a total waste of time. It’s not that it’s particularly bad, not that it’s terribly good either, it’s just totally redundant when in the 1968 version you have near perfection. It certainly doesn’t help that this is a word for word remake, made for television with mediocre production values. Patrick Stewart is perfectly average as King Henry II, while Glenn Close’s performance as Eleanor of Aquitaine screams movie star all the way. No contest, see the 1968 adaptation instead, and if you’ve already seen it, see it again!
102. Macbeth (1983 TV Movie)
TV-14 | 148 min | Drama
Macbeth and his wife murder Duncan in order to gain his crown, but the bloodbath doesn't stop there, and things supernatural combine to bring the Macbeths down.
Director: Jack Gold | Stars: Brenda Bruce, Eileen Way, Anne Dyson, Mark Dignam
Votes: 390
103. A Man for All Seasons (1988 TV Movie)
150 min | Biography, Drama
King Henry VIII wants to divorce his wife, and seeks the approval of the aristocracy. Sir Thomas More is a man of principle and reason, and is thus placed in a difficult position: should he... See full summary »
Director: Charlton Heston | Stars: Charlton Heston, Vanessa Redgrave, John Gielgud, Richard Johnson
Votes: 744
104. The Man in the Iron Mask (1977 TV Movie)
Not Rated | 100 min | Adventure, History
D'Artagnan and his fellow Musketeers plot to replace the ineffectual Louis XIV of France with his secretly imprisoned twin brother Phillipe, who is the firstborn and rightful King.
Director: Mike Newell | Stars: Richard Chamberlain, Patrick McGoohan, Louis Jourdan, Jenny Agutter
Votes: 3,370
105. Marco Polo (1982–1983)
504 min | Adventure, Biography, Drama
The life and experiences of the thirteenth century explorer, who sought to connect the civilizations of China and Europe through trade.
Stars: Ken Marshall, Denholm Elliott, Tony Vogel, David Warner
Votes: 1,309
106. Marco Polo (2007 TV Movie)
Not Rated | 165 min | Adventure, Drama
The series follows the adventures and discoveries of the Venetian, Marco Polo.
Director: Kevin Connor | Stars: Ian Somerhalder, BD Wong, Desiree Siahaan, Brian Dennehy
Votes: 1,554
107. Mary Magdalene (2000 TV Movie)
Not Rated | 98 min | Drama, History
When the marriage between AMOS and MARY MAGDALENE turns out to be childless, he casts her out and gets a divorce. Mary has to leave Magdala. She befriends SILVANO, a Roman prefect, who ... See full summary »
Directors: Raffaele Mertes, Elisabetta Marchetti | Stars: Maria Grazia Cucinotta, Massimo Ghini, Giuliana de Sio, Gottfried John
Votes: 319
MARY MAGDALENE
108. Masada (1981)
394 min | Action, Drama, History
After the destruction of the Second Temple, nine hundred Jewish zealots hold out against a five thousand man Roman legion on the mountaintop fortress of Masada.
Stars: Peter O'Toole, Peter Strauss, Barbara Carrera, Alan Feinstein
Votes: 2,437
MASADA
109. The Mark of Zorro (1974 TV Movie)
Approved | 78 min | Action, Adventure, Western
When Don Diego returns to California only to find the people overrun and overtaxed by corrupt politicians, he takes matters into his own hands as the masked crusader Zorro.
Director: Don McDougall | Stars: Frank Langella, Ricardo Montalban, Gilbert Roland, Louise Sorel
Votes: 690
THE MASK OF ZORRO
Strictly routine and unnecessary cheap television movie of the (too) often told tale. Frank Langella is lifeless and too old (or at least looks too old) in the title role. Of mild interest to fans of true peplums and old Hollywood for the presence of Ricardo Montalban and Yvonne DeCarlo, but that’s about it.
110. The Martyrdom of St. Sebastian (1984 TV Movie)
82 min | Drama, Musical
Sebastian, Chief Archer in the Roman Army, converts to Christianity. A favorite of Emperor Augustus, Sebastian's devotion to Christ eventually drives him to reject the Emperor's love, ... See full summary »
Director: Petr Weigl | Stars: Michael Biehn, Nicholas Clay, Franco Citti, Urs Althaus
Votes: 109
THE MARTYRDOM OF ST. SEBASTIAN
111. Mayflower: The Pilgrims' Adventure (1979 TV Movie)
97 min | Adventure, History
In 1620, the Assembly of the Pilgrims decides to emigrate to the young America because of the persecution they suffer by the English crown. This movie tells the adventurous journey of the Pilgrims to an unknown land and future.
Director: George Schaefer | Stars: Anthony Hopkins, Richard Crenna, Jenny Agutter, Michael Beck
Votes: 264
112. Merlin (1998)
Not Rated | 61 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
Legendary wizard Merlin tells his story of his war against Queen Mab of the Sidhe and his creation of Camelot.
Stars: Sam Neill, Helena Bonham Carter, John Gielgud, Rutger Hauer
Votes: 22,538
Pretty awful four hour mini series with lots of star names, cheap production values and poor CGI. Sam Neill in the title role and Isabella Rossellini both unconvincingly try to play much younger than their actual years. Miranda Richardson as a witch hams it up for all it’s worth. I must say I did rather like the dragon though.
113. Merlin and the Book of Beasts (2009 TV Movie)
TV-14 | 92 min | Fantasy, Thriller
An evil sorcerer has taken over Camelot with his magic beasts. King Arthur's daughter Avlynn asks Merlin to help her take back the castle. She also has to find the sacred sword Excalibur to assist her in the battle against the sorcerer.
Director: Warren P. Sonoda | Stars: James Callis, Laura Harris, Jesse Moss, Patrick Sabongui
Votes: 1,162
114. Merlin's Apprentice (2006)
TV-PG | 176 min | Adventure, Fantasy
Merlin and a young thief embark on a dangerous quest to find the Holy Grail and save Camelot.
Stars: John Reardon, Sam Neill, Miranda Richardson, Meghan Ory
Votes: 2,224
115. Les Miserables (1978 TV Movie)
Not Rated | 150 min | Drama, History
Jean Valjean (Richard Jordan), convicted of stealing bread, is hounded for several decades by the relentless and cruel Policeman Javert (Anthony Perkins).
Director: Glenn Jordan | Stars: Richard Jordan, Anthony Perkins, Cyril Cusack, Claude Dauphin
Votes: 1,931
I never thought I’d say this about an adaptation of Les Mis., but this made-for-TV adaptation, at two hours, really is too short, skipping over or omitting altogether several parts of the story. Richard Jordan is acceptable, in fact better than I’d expected, but unexceptional in the pivotal role of Valjean, but when you’re up against rival performances of the role from the likes of Jean Gabin and Gerard Depardieu then that just isn’t good enough. Anthony Perkins is better, suitably detestable as his nemesis Javert. The supporting performances by a variety of jobbing British thesps including John Gielgud, Flora Robson and Ian Holm are satisfactory but never rise above adequate, which is also a fitting description for the production values. If you have never seen the story there are a multitude of far better and more complete adaptations out there, so this could only really be recommended to die hard fans of the storyline.
116. The Mists of Avalon (2001)
Unrated | 92 min | Drama, Fantasy
Tales of Camelot and Avalon, told from the perspective of the women of Uther and Arthur Pendragon's world.
Stars: Anjelica Huston, Julianna Margulies, Joan Allen, Samantha Mathis
Votes: 10,404
117. Moses (1995–1996)
180 min | Adventure, Biography, Crime
Pharaoh Ramses II decrees the death of all Hebrew children, but Moses, placed in a basket on the Nile by his mother, is picked up by a princess and raised as the brother of the heir to the throne of Egypt.
Stars: Ben Kingsley, Frank Langella, David Suchet, Christopher Lee
Votes: 2,322
118. Moses the Lawgiver (1974)
PG | 360 min | Drama
A biopic of Moses, who led the Jewish people out of Egypt, ex. by parting the Red Sea and afterwards delivered the Ten Commandments from God.
Stars: Irene Papas, Aharon Ipalé, Yosef Shiloach, Marina Berti
Votes: 577
Full review in Peplum Paradise Part 2
119. The Musketeers (2014–2016)
TV-14 | 55 min | Adventure, Drama
Set on the streets of 17th-century Paris, "The Musketeers" gives a contemporary take on the classic story about a group of highly trained soldiers and bodyguards assigned to protect King and country.
Stars: Luke Pasqualino, Tom Burke, Santiago Cabrera, Howard Charles
Votes: 23,860
120. The Nativity (1978 TV Movie)
98 min | Biography, Drama, Family
The story of the courtship of Joseph and Mary, and of the events leading up to the first Christmas.
Directors: Ken Cameron, Bernard L. Kowalski | Stars: Madeleine Stowe, John Shea, Jane Wyatt, Paul Stewart
Votes: 139
121. New Worlds (2014)
222 min | Drama, History, War
The 1680s bring a new King, Restoration, and more tyranny. In Massachusetts, a robber's son falls for an anti-monarchist. In England, a young lady falls for an outlaw.
Stars: Jamie Dornan, Jeremy Northam, Joe Dempsie, Holli Dempsey
Votes: 1,379
122. Noah's Ark (1999)
Unrated | 178 min | Adventure, Drama, Romance
Adaptation of the Biblical stories of Noah and Lot and how God destroyed the world due to the wickedness of mankind.
Stars: Jon Voight, Mary Steenburgen, F. Murray Abraham, Carol Kane
Votes: 2,146
123. Odissea (1968)
GP | 109 min | Adventure, Drama, Fantasy
Odysseus' journey told in Homer's Iliad and Odyssey. After fighting in the Trojan War, Odysseus spends years trying to return home to Itaka.
Stars: Bekim Fehmiu, Carlo Alighiero, Leonard Steckel, Constantin Andrieu
Votes: 859
For review see THE ADVENTURES OF ULYSSES, the theatrical release title, in Peplum Paradise Part 1
124. The Odyssey (1997)
PG-13 | 88 min | Adventure, Drama, Fantasy
Follows Odysseus on his wanderings back to Ithaca following the Trojan War.
Stars: Armand Assante, Greta Scacchi, Isabella Rossellini, Bernadette Peters
Votes: 16,104
Tedious three hour TV movie version of Homer’s epic, which despite the presence of an above average B-list all star cast, still has an overbearing air of cheapness about it. At least part of the fault lies in the miscasting of Armand Assante as Odysseus (Ulysses to you and me), who I can’t imagine being in anyone’s top 100 ideal choices for the role. To be fair he is saddled with a leaden script that drags out some parts of the story and rushes through others, and effects that are for the most part cheap and unbelievable. All the important parts of the story are present and correct, the Trojan war (which takes up a very long first half hour), the Cyclops, Circe the witch (Bernadette Peters, another casting faux pas), the underworld (it looks very hot and is inhabited by Christopher Lee), the island of the sirens ruled over by Calypso (Vanessa Williams, looking hot), and not forgetting the gods (Isabella Rossellini is radiant as Athena who pops up to whisper in Odysseus’ ear every once in awhile) and the women left behind (Greta Scacchi and Irene Papas who vie to outdo each other in the hysterics department).
125. Peplum (2015– )
Comedy
Stars: Jonathan Lambert, Philippe Vieux, Pascal Demolon, Nicole Ferroni
Votes: 78
126. Peter and Paul (1981 TV Movie)
198 min | Biography, Drama, History
Peter the Fisherman and Paul of Tarsus assume leadership of the Church as they struggle against violent opposition to the teachings of Jesus Christ and their own personal conflicts.
Director: Robert Day | Stars: Anthony Hopkins, Robert Foxworth, Eddie Albert, Raymond Burr
Votes: 671
127. The Pied Piper of Hamelin (1957 TV Movie)
Unrated | 89 min | Musical, Family, Fantasy
Overwhelmed by rats, a medieval town hires a magical piper who can rid the town of the pest in exchange for gold but the crooked mayor has no intention of honoring the deal.
Director: Bretaigne Windust | Stars: Van Johnson, Claude Rains, Lori Nelson, Jim Backus
Votes: 559
This feature length made-for-TV production, shot in garish Technicolor, has better production values than many B-movies of the time. Based on the moralistic fairy tale, the dialogue is largely in rhyming couplets, interspersed with a bunch of uninspired but fairly harmless musical numbers. Van Johnson, in the duel role of the piper and manchild Truson, is satisfactory but unexceptional, as is B-movie starlet Lori Nelson as the Mayor’s daughter and Truson’s love interest, but it’s froggy-faced sexagenarian veteran Claude Rains, as the villainous Mayor of Hamelin, who proves to be a revelation, displaying an unfamiliar lightness of touch and clearly having a ball. This is hardly a classic, but it’s a lot more fun than you would expect given the pedigree.
128. Pilatus und andere - Ein Film für Karfreitag (1972 TV Movie)
98 min | Drama
The trial of Yeshua Ha-Notsri is led by prosecutor Pontius Pilate who believes in the innocence of the accused but is forced to sentence him to death. This biblical story is set in present-day Germany.
Director: Andrzej Wajda | Stars: Wojciech Pszoniak, Jan Kreczmar, Daniel Olbrychski, Andrzej Lapicki
Votes: 179
129. The Pillars of the Earth (2010)
TV-MA | 59 min | Drama, Romance, Thriller
Set against a backdrop of war, religious strife and power struggles which tears lives and families apart.
Stars: Ian McShane, Matthew Macfadyen, Eddie Redmayne, Hayley Atwell
Votes: 33,124
130. Pompeii: The Last Day (2003 TV Movie)
Not Rated | 120 min | Drama, History
A dramatized recreation of the destruction of Pompeii and Herculaneum when Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD.
Director: Peter Nicholson | Stars: Alisdair Simpson, Tim Pigott-Smith, Jim Carter, Jonathan Firth
Votes: 1,034
131.
The Wonderful World of Disney (1997–2023)
Episode:
Princess of Thieves
(2001)
Not Rated | 88 min | Adventure, Comedy, Drama
When her father is captured by The Sheriff of Nottingham and Prince John, Robin Hood's daughter sets out to help the son and rightful heir of King Richard the Lionheart sit on the throne as well as rescue her captive father.
Director: Peter Hewitt | Stars: Hannah Cresswell, David Barrass, Malcolm McDowell, Keira Knightley
Votes: 4,658
132. The Great Queen Seondeok (2009)
60 min | Biography, Drama, History
Story of Queen Seondeok who was born a princess, brought up among commoners and overcame many trials to become the ruler of Silla.
Stars: Jeong Woong-in, Kim Jung-hyun, Ryu Dam, Lee Yo-won
Votes: 1,413
QUEEN SEONDEOK
133. Quo Vadis? (1985)
R | 360 min | Drama
Drama about love and intrigues in ancient Rome during the times of Nero.
Stars: Klaus Maria Brandauer, Frederic Forrest, Cristina Raines, Barbara De Rossi
Votes: 333
134. Reign (2013–2017)
TV-14 | 42 min | Drama
Mary, Queen of Scots, faces political and sexual intrigue in the treacherous world of the French court.
Stars: Adelaide Kane, Megan Follows, Celina Sinden, Torrance Coombs
Votes: 54,409
135. Die Rache der Wanderhure (2012 TV Movie)
120 min | Drama, Romance
Marie and her husband Michel Adler have a happy life until Michel has to go to war against the Hussites for König Sigismund but does not come back. She not believe on his dead and starts her journey to find out what really happened to him.
Director: Hansjörg Thurn | Stars: Alexandra Neldel, Bert Tischendorf, Julian Weigend, Johannes Krisch
Votes: 421
THE REVENGE OF THE WHORE
136. The Taking of Power by Louis XIV (1966 TV Movie)
G | 90 min | Biography, History
After the death of Cardinal Mazarin, young king Louis XIV decides to assert his power to control the aristocracy.
Director: Roberto Rossellini | Stars: Jean-Marie Patte, Raymond Jourdan, César Silvagni, Katharina Renn
Votes: 1,702
THE RISE OF LOUIS XIV
137. Roar (1997)
60 min | Action, Adventure, Fantasy
In 5th century Ireland, a young Celtic chieftain and his allies fight against Roman encroachment, the manipulative pro-Roman puppet ruler of Ireland, Queen Diana, and her immortal adviser who seeks the biblical Spear of Longinus.
Stars: Heath Ledger, Lisa Zane, Sebastian Roché, Vera Farmiga
Votes: 1,313
138. Robin Hood (1984–1986)
TV-PG | 60 min | Action, Drama, Fantasy
A forest mystical being appoints two men in succession as the legendary outlaw defender of the oppressed.
Stars: Peter Llewellyn Williams, Ray Winstone, Mark Ryan, Clive Mantle
Votes: 4,987
139. Les rois maudits (1972–1973)
616 min | Drama, History
Set during the reigns of the last five kings of the Capetian dynasty and the first two kings of the House of Valois, the series begins as the French King Philip the Fair, already surrounded... See full summary »
Stars: Gilles Béhat, Hélène Duc, Jean-Luc Moreau, André Luguet
Votes: 414
140. The Roman Holidays (1972)
22 min | Animation, Family
By the same people that brought us "Flintstones, The" (1960), this similar cartoon was about people living in Rome in 63 A.D.
Stars: Dave Willock, Stanley Livingston, Daws Butler, Pamelyn Ferdin
Votes: 148
141. Roman Mysteries (2007–2008)
60 min | Drama, Family, Fantasy
Follows four children in Ancient Rome who solve a number of exciting, dangerous and challenging mysteries.
Stars: Francesca Isherwood, Rebekah Murrell, Harry Stott, Eli Machover
Votes: 197
142. Rome (2005–2007)
TV-MA | 60 min | Action, Drama, Romance
A down-to-earth account of the lives of both illustrious and ordinary Romans set in the last days of the Roman Republic.
Stars: Kevin McKidd, Ray Stevenson, Polly Walker, Kerry Condon
Votes: 185,462
143. Rytsarskiy roman (2000 TV Movie)
135 min | Drama
The action of the movie is set in the late 11th century Constantinople during the time of the 1st Crusade. The crusaders need the help of the emperor Alexius to get to Jerusalem while the ... See full summary »
Director: Aleksandr Inshakov | Stars: Sergey Bezrukov, Irina Bezrukova, Aleksandr Inshakov, Vasiliy Lanovoy
Votes: 43
144. St. Patrick: The Irish Legend (2000 TV Movie)
100 min | Adventure, Drama, Fantasy
A young Christian boy attends a druid worship that is attacked by invading Irish tribes. Taken captive, he is taken back to Ireland to become a slave. Enduring many hardships, he finds ... See full summary »
Director: Robert Hughes | Stars: Patrick Bergin, Luke Griffin, Alan Bates, Susannah York
Votes: 319
145. Samson and Delilah (1984 TV Movie)
95 min | Action, Adventure, Fantasy
The long haired biblical strongman Samson falls in love with beautiful temptress Delilah in Philistine.
Director: Lee Philips | Stars: Max von Sydow, Belinda Bauer, Stephen Macht, Daniel Stern
Votes: 252
This biblical US TV movie sticks pretty closely to the story as seen in the 1949 version, and has the conceit to feature that movie’s star, Victor Mature, in his final film, in a brief cameo as Samson’s father. Samson, as seen here played by former dancer and model Anthony Hamilton, is an arrogant smart-arse (with a broad Aussie accent and too much blusher), and no-one, including the audience, but excepting Delilah, loves a smart-arse. Belinda Bauer - oddly also an Aussie dancer and model - comes off a lot better as Delilah, reminding me of Rosalba Neri in the role (from Gideon And Samson). The acting is adequate for this type of thing, but no better, by lower-tier marquee names Max von Sydow, Stephen Macht, Daniel Stern, Maria Schell and Jose Ferrer. Production values are pretty low, and not helped by some abysmal camera work and bad lighting for which there is really little excuse. Not worth the effort when there are several other superior versions, including the 1949 classic.
146. Samson and Delilah (1996)
172 min | Adventure, Drama, History
Mara and her husband Manoa are both upstanding and religious Israelites living under the harsh and unjust rule of the Philistines. Much to their regret, they have not been able to have ... See full summary »
Stars: Dennis Hopper, Elizabeth Hurley, Eric Thal, Michael Gambon
Votes: 1,207
147. Sandokan (1976)
286 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
Malaysia, the second half of 1800. The English Queen Victoria owns the domain of the eastern lands of Borneo, commanded by Lord James Guillonk, fierce and ruthless conqueror, father of the ... See full summary »
Stars: Kabir Bedi, Adolfo Celi, Philippe Leroy, Mohammed Azad
Votes: 1,605
148. The Tiger Is Still Alive: Sandokan to the Rescue (1977 TV Movie)
130 min | Action, Adventure
Young lady, Jamilah, goes on a quest to find Sandokan, the Tiger of Malaysia, and bring him back from India to fight, after Abdullah's reign, under the command of James Brooke, produced chaos in Mompracem.
Director: Sergio Sollima | Stars: Kabir Bedi, Philippe Leroy, Massimo Foschi, Néstor Garay
Votes: 326
SANDOKAN 2
149. Sinbad and the Minotaur (2011 TV Movie)
Not Rated | 88 min | Adventure, Fantasy, Sci-Fi
Sinbad discovers an ivory scroll case in the desert camp of the evil sorcerer Al-Jibar, leading him to the golden head of the Colossus of Rhodes.
Director: Karl Zwicky | Stars: Manu Bennett, Steven Grives, Brad McMurray, Holly Brisley
Votes: 1,229
Well here’s a surprise! A real old school style peplum produced in the age of CGI, complete with poor production values, laughable dialogue, crap sets and costumes, silly creatures, really cheap effects, bad acting – basically everything that made 60’s and 80’s Italian peplums so great. A rather modern looking Sinbad (Manu Bennett – fresh from TV’s Spartacus: Blood and Sand and pre-Conan) and his mixed bag of sidekicks take on the minotaur and some other colourful villains in what is apparently ancient Crete, but looks mostly like modern fields and cages. Most of the villains look like they were randomly picked from the nearest leather bar. Tara (Holly Brisley) is a game heroine, while Arianna (Lily Brown) is a feisty villainess leading a cult of shape-shifting were-bulls! The biggest mystery about this classically camp Australian production is how it got made and released at all in modern times, but I for one am sure glad it did.
150. The Six Wives of Henry VIII (1970)
540 min | Drama, History, Romance
A six-episode dramatization of Henry VIII's relationships with each of his six wives. Each episode is devoted to one wife, and is a complete play in itself.
Stars: Keith Michell, Anthony Quayle, Patrick Troughton, Bernard Hepton
Votes: 1,457
151. Slave of Dreams (1995 TV Movie)
95 min | Drama
The Egyptian executioner's wife tries to seduce Hebrew slave Joseph to fulfill a dream they are experiencing simultaneously.
Director: Robert M. Young | Stars: Edward James Olmos, Sherilyn Fenn, Adrian Pasdar, Philip Newman
Votes: 107
152. Snow White: The Fairest of Them All (2001 TV Movie)
TV-PG | 93 min | Adventure, Family, Fantasy
Snow White's mother dies during childbirth, leaving baby Snow and father John for dead on an icy field, who then receives a visit from one of Satan's representatives, granting him three wishes.
Director: Caroline Thompson | Stars: Miranda Richardson, Tom Irwin, Vera Farmiga, Kristin Kreuk
Votes: 4,853
It’s hard to know who this quite scary Canadian made-for-TV re-telling of the fairy tale is aimed at, since it’s certainly too heavy for younger kids. You have ghostly Clancy Brown, wicked Queen Miranda Richardson, and a troop of way-too-gay rainbow attired dwarfs, who include a few familiar faces. Once she becomes Queen, Richardson takes on an alarming resemblance to Brie from Desperate Housewives, truly a disturbing sight. The film is strangely modern looking, despite it’s fairy tale setting, as well as being oddly hurried and very uneven. Unknown Kristin Kruek is well cast as Snow White, but Tom Irwin as her father is a let down. Then there are the poor effects, which are embarrassingly bad, even for a TV movie. It’s all way too clean looking and it would have benefitted from the rest of the cast following Richardson’s lead and camping it up a little to add some life to the proceedings.
153. Socrates (1970 TV Movie)
120 min | Biography, History
A false accusation leads the philosopher Socrates to trial and condemnation in 4th century BC Athens.
Director: Roberto Rossellini | Stars: Jean Sylvère, Anne Caprile, Giuseppe Mannajuolo, Ricardo Palacios
Votes: 959
SOCRATES
154. Solomon (1997)
PG-13 | 180 min | Adventure, Biography, Drama
David, now an old man, is still king of Israel. Among his sons, the ambitious Adonijah and the clever Solomon.
Stars: Ben Cross, Richard Dillane, Anouk Aimée, Vivica A. Fox
Votes: 1,487
155. Solomon & Sheba (1995 TV Movie)
101 min | Drama, Romance
Queen of Sheba goes on a secret business trip to meet king Solomon.
Director: Robert M. Young | Stars: Halle Berry, Jimmy Smits, Nickolas Grace, Kenneth Colley
Votes: 246
156. Spartacus (2004)
Unrated | 87 min | Action, Drama, History
After he is bought by the owner of a Roman gladiator school and trained as a gladiator, a slave leads a rebellion of slaves and gladiators into revolt against Rome.
Stars: Goran Visnjic, Alan Bates, Angus Macfadyen, Rhona Mitra
Votes: 5,806
157. Spartacus: Blood and Sand - Motion Comic (2009–2010)
13 min | Animation
A four part comic book adaptation of the first season of Spartacus: Blood and Sand.
Stars: Ray Park, Heath Freeman, Eric McIntire, Matthew Felker
Votes: 465
158. Spartacus: Gods of the Arena (2011)
TV-MA | 55 min | Action, Adventure, Biography
In the time before the arrival of Spartacus, the House of Batiatus faces many challenges from competitors, and within its own household.
Stars: John Hannah, Manu Bennett, Peter Mensah, Dustin Clare
Votes: 145,461
159. Spartacus (2010–2013)
TV-MA | 60 min | Action, Adventure, Biography
The life of Spartacus, the gladiator who lead a rebellion against the Romans. From his time as an ally of the Romans, to his betrayal and becoming a gladiator, to the rebellion he leads and its ultimate outcome.
Stars: Andy Whitfield, Lucy Lawless, Manu Bennett, Daniel Feuerriegel
Votes: 257,117
160. The Spread of the Eagle (1963)
50 min | Drama, History, Romance
Stars: John Barcroft, Terry Wale, Roger Croucher, Hugh Dickson
Votes: 17
161. The Story of David (1976 TV Movie)
PG | 191 min | Drama
He was the chosen king who loved God and committed the acts of sin.
Directors: David Lowell Rich, Alex Segal | Stars: Timothy Bottoms, Anthony Quayle, Norman Rodway, Oded Teomi
Votes: 194
162. The Story of Jacob and Joseph (1974 TV Movie)
PG | 120 min | Drama, History
A movie telling the Biblical stories of the last of the Hebrew Patriarchs in the Book of Genesis.
Director: Michael Cacoyannis | Stars: Keith Michell, Tony Lo Bianco, Colleen Dewhurst, Herschel Bernardi
Votes: 300
163. Heroes of Sui and Tang (2012– )
Action, Drama, History
Stars: Winston Chao, Shaoqun Yu, Dicky Cheung, Leni Lan Crazybarby
Votes: 32
164. Ring of the Nibelungs (2004 TV Movie)
PG-13 | 184 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
The legend of Siegfried and Brunhild, loosely based on characters from the Norse sagas and the pre-Christian Germanic heroic motifs outlined in the Nibelungensaga.
Director: Uli Edel | Stars: Benno Fürmann, Kristanna Loken, Alicia Witt, Julian Sands
Votes: 10,009
SWORD OF XANTEN
Made for television on a reasonable budget (so don’t expect Lord Of The Rings), but released theatrically in a number of territories, this is a well made and enjoyable adaptation of the tragic Nordic legend of Die Niebelungen, and, importantly, it is easier to follow than other cinematic versions. Benno Fürmann is likeable as the hero Siegfried, Kristanna Loken is perfect as the Icelandic queen he loves, the dragon is effective and puts a number of bigger budgeted theatrical creations to shame, and one-time controversial director Uli Edel (Last Exit To Brooklyn, Body Of Evidence) keeps the pace up and handles the action well. The biggest criticisms I’ve read are that the tale strays from the source material, but remember that this is a commercial entertainment based on a legend, not a historical document or even a book adaptation, so that is hardly relevant. What counts is that this is a well-made enjoyable film, and that it certainly is.
165. The Thief of Baghdad (1978 TV Movie)
100 min | Adventure, Fantasy
A resourceful thief helps a handsome Prince fight an evil wizard, and win the hand of a beautiful Princess.
Director: Clive Donner | Stars: Kabir Bedi, Daniel Emilfork, Frank Finlay, Ian Holm
Votes: 487
166. Thor: Hammer of the Gods (2009 TV Movie)
92 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
Thor along with his friends travel to a mysterious island seeking glory and fame. Upon arriving they encounter strange creatures and they start searching the island for answers. Meanwhile ... See full summary »
Director: Todor Chapkanov | Stars: Zachery Ty Bryan, Alexis Kendra, Mac Brandt, Daz Crawford
Votes: 1,533
Films produced for the Sci Fi Channel carry a guaranteed lack of quality, so all credit to the writers here who were obviously given a directive to come up with something with Thor in the title to cash in on the then current Marvel movie. They actually craft a quite effective storyline with a group of Vikings, including one called Thor (Zachery Bryan), who arrive in some un-named land in search of a mystical hammer. What they find are… werewolves! Actually Vikings Vs. Werewolves would have made a far more saleable title. There’s also a big dodgy-CGI dog-god-thing guarding the sword. The no name cast cope well on no-budget woods and caves sets, aided by a dry ice machine on overtime, and against the odds I found myself enjoying the silliness of it all – this was, after all, made on the same principles as most 60’s Italian peplums.
167. To the Ends of the Earth (2005)
89 min | Drama
In 1812, young British aristocrat Edmund Talbot travels by ship to Australia, and learns more about himself and about life than he had ever bargained for.
Stars: Benedict Cumberbatch, Jared Harris, Jamie Sives, Richard McCabe
Votes: 2,599
The seemingly ubiquitous Benedict Cumberbatch plays a British gentleman taking passage aboard a rough naval ship to Australia in 1812. Unfortunately the story, which could have been quite effective if it had been a feature length production, is stretched well beyond its limits into a three-part mini-series. Cumberbatch goes from mildly annoying, through smug and insufferable, to all-out irritating as he slowly loses his mind on the lengthy journey, and after watching him for four-plus hours I was feeling quite murderous too. Supporting turns from the likes of Sam Neill and Charles Dance go largely unnoticed. It likely has some elements of realism, but unfortunately not everything in life makes for entertaining viewing.
168. Treasure Island (1971 TV Movie)
45 min | Animation, Adventure
Young Jim Hawkins finds a treasure map in a dead man's chest. His friends, Squire Trelawney and Doctor Livesey, hire a crew for their expedition ship not knowing that the leader, Long John Silver, is a pirate.
Director: Zoran Janjic | Stars: Ron Haddrick, John Kingley, John Llewellyn, Bruce Montague
Votes: 40
169. Treasure Island (1990 TV Movie)
Not Rated | 132 min | Action, Adventure, Crime
The treasure seeking adventures of young Jim Hawkins and pirate Captain Long John Silver.
Director: Fraser C. Heston | Stars: Charlton Heston, Christian Bale, Oliver Reed, Christopher Lee
Votes: 5,992
170. Treasure Island (2012)
90 min | Action, Adventure, History
In 1765, young English boy Jim Hawkins gets involved with buccaneers during his quest to find pirate Captain Flint's treasure buried on a secret island.
Stars: Barnaby Kay, Elijah Wood, Madhur Mittal, Daniel Mays
Votes: 6,319
171. Tales of the Vikings (1959–1960)
30 min | Adventure
Leif sets off from Scandinavia around the year 1000 determined to find lands to conquer and settle. He, along with his fellow Vikings, find conflict and adventure as they venture further from their homeland.
Stars: Jerome Courtland, Buddy Baer, Walter Barnes, Stefan Schnabel
Votes: 51
172. Thierry la Fronde (1963–1966)
26 min | Adventure
Fictional adventures of Thierry de Janville, nicknamed "Thierry la fronde or Thierry the sling-slingshot", after his weapon of choice. A young of brave nobleman in XIVth century France, ... See full summary »
Stars: Jean-Claude Drouot, Céline Léger, Fernand Bellan, Clément Michu
Votes: 136
173. The Tragedy of Coriolanus (1984 TV Movie)
145 min | Drama, History
A banished hero of Rome allies with a sworn enemy to take his revenge on the city.
Director: Elijah Moshinsky | Stars: Paul Jesson, Ray Roberts, Leon Lissek, Jon Rumney
Votes: 138
174. The Tudors (2007–2010)
TV-MA | 60 min | Drama, History, Romance
A dramatic series about the reign and marriages of King Henry VIII.
Stars: Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Henry Cavill, Anthony Brophy, James Frain
Votes: 81,238
175. Up Pompeii! (1969–1970)
30 min | Comedy, History
Lurcio is a much-put-upon slave in the ancient Roman town of Pompeii. More often than not, Lurcio finds himself keeping his owner's family members apart, in order to keep them together.
Stars: Frankie Howerd, Elizabeth Larner, Kerry Gardner, Jeanne Mockford
Votes: 376
176. Vikings (2013–2020)
TV-MA | 45 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
Vikings transports us to the brutal and mysterious world of Ragnar Lothbrok, a Viking warrior and farmer who yearns to explore--and raid--the distant shores across the ocean.
Stars: Katheryn Winnick, Gustaf Skarsgård, Alexander Ludwig, Georgia Hirst
Votes: 583,255
177. Warrior Queen (1978)
30 min | Drama, History, War
It is 61. The Romans rule Britain. Prasutagus, King of the Iceni, is dying. In his will, he bequeaths one half of his kingdom to his two daughters; the other half is to be ceded to the ... See full summary »
Stars: Siân Phillips, Michael Gothard, Patti Love, Veronica Roberts
Votes: 50
178. When Things Were Rotten (1975)
30 min | Adventure, Comedy
Set in Sherwood Forest, in which Robin Hood, Maid Marian and Robin's band of merry men fight heroically against their enemies, the nasty Prince John and the Sheriff of Nottingham.
Stars: Dick Gautier, Dick Van Patten, Bernie Kopell, Richard Dimitri
Votes: 466
179. The White Queen (2013)
TV-MA | 60 min | Drama, History, Romance
Three different, yet equally relentless women vie for the throne in 15th-century England.
Stars: Aneurin Barnard, Rebecca Ferguson, Amanda Hale, Faye Marsay
Votes: 31,412
180. The Whore (2010 TV Movie)
121 min | Drama, Romance
Director: Hansjörg Thurn | Stars: Alexandra Neldel, Bert Tischendorf, Julian Weigend, Nadja Becker
Votes: 851
181. Witchville (2010 TV Movie)
90 min | Adventure, Fantasy
Malachy returns to his father's medieval kingdom and becomes the new king. A magician/witch hunter tells him and his brother that the kingdom is under attack by witches, ruining the crops etc.
Director: Pearry Reginald Teo | Stars: Luke Goss, Ed Speleers, Andrew Pleavin, Simon Thorp
Votes: 1,703
182. Xena: Warrior Princess (1995–2001)
TV-PG | 45 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
Xena, a mighty Warrior Princess with a dark past, sets out to redeem herself. She is joined by small town bard, Gabrielle. Together they journey the ancient world and fight for the greater good against ruthless Warlords and Gods.
Stars: Lucy Lawless, Renée O'Connor, Ted Raimi, Kevin Smith
Votes: 48,707
183. Young Ivanhoe (1995 TV Movie)
93 min | Adventure, History
Ivanhoe is learning his way while having dealing with his father, Sir Cedric. The Normans are threatening England so he must quickly develop under the tutelage of the Black Knight, secretly King Richard, and followers of Robin Hood.
Director: Ralph L. Thomas | Stars: Stacy Keach, Margot Kidder, Nick Mancuso, Kris Holden-Ried
Votes: 240
184. The Zany Adventures of Robin Hood (1984 TV Movie)
Not Rated | 100 min | Comedy
In this made-for-television spoof, Robin Hood and his merry men must attempt to gather together the necessary ransom money to free King Richard from a nasty Duke.
Director: Ray Austin | Stars: George Segal, Morgan Fairchild, Roddy McDowall, Janet Suzman
Votes: 166
185. Almighty Thor (2011 TV Movie)
TV-14 | 92 min | Action, Adventure, Fantasy
When a demon god steals the Hammer of Invincibility, Thor strikes a mighty blow to get it back.
Director: Christopher Ray | Stars: Cody Deal, Richard Grieco, Patricia Velasquez, Kevin Nash
Votes: 3,068
Well it has to be said, this film is crap! Sorry, but no two ways about it, it was created for cable TV and DVD with no other reason to exist other than to con unwary viewers into accidentally thinking they may be seeing Hollywood blockbuster Thor. Basically a bunch of non-actors plus no-career-left Richard Grieco were taken out into a Californian field, given a load of drivel dialogue about Asgard and a hammer of invincibility…I didn’t really attempt to follow, told to run around around a bit, then filled in the gaps with the worst CGI imaginable. There must be some time travel involved because they shout “gateway” and suddenly turn up in a modern car park and get guns! Avoid at all costs, or don’t say you weren’t warned, though it is almost worth it to see an embarrassed-looking Grieco in silly costume and white face get strange looks from passers-by on the streets of L.A..
186. Arthur the King (1983 TV Movie)
180 min | Adventure, Fantasy, Mystery
The story of a woman in falling into an icy cave at Stonehenge and waking up in Arthurian times amidst the love triangle between Lancelot, Queen Guinevere, and King Arthur, as the Queen is kidnapped by the King's evil sister Morgan La Fey.
Director: Clive Donner | Stars: Malcolm McDowell, Candice Bergen, Edward Woodward, Dyan Cannon
Votes: 453
This made-for-TV effort is one of those strange time travelling tales which seem to crop up surprisingly regularly (The Spaceman and King Arthur, Black Knight, etc.), placing a modern day protagonist, usually American, alongside Arthurian characters. On a visit to Stonehenge, American Arthurian scholar Catherine Davidson (Dyan Cannon) falls down a hole, Alice-like, and finds herself in a cave where she encounters Merlin (Edward Woodward-bad toupee) and his lover Niniane (Lucy Gutteridge). Merlin then shows Catherine, by means of flashback with voiceover, the familiar Arthurian story featuring Arthur (Malcolm McDowell), Morgan Le Fay (Candice Bergen, in a red fright wig that has to be seen to be believed) and Lancelot (Rupert Everett) all present and correct, though all rather hammy and unconvincing. This is one of those films which all concerned should be embarrassed to have on their CV’s, the script, direction, performances, special effects, editing, musical score are all pretty dreadful, but not in an amusing way, and while it earns kudos for including several elements from the Arthurian legend which are rarely tackled in films, they are dealt with so haphazardly that they really needn’t have bothered. This review is for the 94 minute “theatrical” cut of the film, the 180 minute original could certainly help to fill in the glaring gaps in the plot and editing, but would hardly improve on other elements.
187.
The Wonderful World of Disney (1997–2023)
Episode:
A Knight in Camelot
(1998)
TV-G | 90 min | Adventure, Comedy, Drama
A computer malfunction causes a science researcher to be sent back in time with her laptop, which she uses to amaze the court.
Director: Roger Young | Stars: Whoopi Goldberg, Michael York, Paloma Baeza, Simon Fenton
Votes: 2,157
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