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
1. A.D. (1985)
600 min | Drama, History
Set just after the death of Jesus Christ, this mini-series chronicles the life & adventures of Jesus's disciples, and events in Rome during the reigns of the Emperors Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius and Nero.
Stars: Anthony Andrews, Colleen Dewhurst, Ava Gardner, David Hedison
Votes: 532
2. Abraham (1993)
175 min | Adventure, Biography, Drama
Abram a tribal leader denies all the local deities and finds the true God. Through many trials and tribulations he strengthens his faith.
Stars: Richard Harris, Barbara Hershey, Maximilian Schell, Andrea Prodan
Votes: 1,828
3. The Adventures of Robin Hood (1955–1960)
Approved | 30 min | Action, Adventure, Family
Robin of Loxley, otherwise known as Robin Hood, and his band of Merry Men protect England from the evil machinations of Prince John while King Richard the Lionheart is away fighting in the Crusades.
Stars: Richard Greene, Victor Woolf, Archie Duncan, Alexander Gauge
Votes: 877
4. An Age of Kings (1960)
60 min | Drama, History
A linking together of Shakespeare's history plays chronicling the rise and fall of monarchs over the eighty-six years between Richard II and Richard III.
Stars: John Murray Scott, Frank Windsor, David Andrews, John Ringham
Votes: 166
5. Age of Treason (1993 TV Movie)
PG | 93 min | History, Mystery
Marcus Didius Falco must solve a murder set in Ancient Rome.
Director: Kevin Connor | Stars: Bryan Brown, Matthias Hues, Art Malik, Anthony Valentine
Votes: 298
6. Aladdin and the Death Lamp (2012 TV Movie)
Not Rated | 120 min | Adventure, Fantasy, Horror
Aladdin and his friend Ali accidentally uncover a lamp that contains a genie - but instead of granting wishes...this genie has other plans.
Director: Mario Azzopardi | Stars: Darren Shahlavi, Noam Jenkins, Kandyse McClure, Eugene Clark
Votes: 623
7. Antony and Cleopatra (1984 TV Movie)
179 min | Drama, History, Romance
After the murder of her lover Caesar, Egypt's queen Cleopatra needs a new ally. She seduces his probable successor Mark Antony. This develops into real love and slowly leads to a war with the other possible successor: Octavius.
Director: Lawrence Carra | Stars: Lynn Redgrave, Timothy Dalton, Nichelle Nichols, John Carradine
Votes: 128
8. The Apocalypse (2002 TV Movie)
96 min | Drama
It is 90 A.D., and the Roman Empire is being run by the Emperor Domitian, who has declared himself to be God, and ruler over heaven and Earth. The Christians, who do not recognize his ... See full summary »
Director: Raffaele Mertes | Stars: Richard Harris, Vittoria Belvedere, Benjamin Sadler, Christian Kohlund
Votes: 1,038
THE APOCALYPSE
Richard Harris, in his penultimate performance, plays John the Baptist in this Italian TV movie version of the biblical book of Revelations, and it must be said he does a very good job of playing an old man. The bulk of the action takes place in a remote Roman prison where John, in disguise being a do-gooder while writing his memoirs, is kept a prisoner, and where Roman Emperor Dometian (Bruce Payne) has sent Valerius (Benjamin Sadler) to spy on him. Unsurprisingly Valerius becomes a convert to the cause. The scenes in the mine and Rome are interspersed with John’s visions of heaven, all billowy white clouds and bloody lambs, and it’s here where the film really falls, using what, even for the time, are very dodgy unconvincing CGI effects. Overall it’s rather a slow watch, but bearable enough for this sort of religious nonsense – it should be noted that the Christian-orientated reviews I read seemed to find it quite satisfactory, and I’d guess they have to be the target audience. Watch out for 60’s peplum’s favourite child star Loris Loddi in a scene-stealing role as a vicious prison guard.
9. Arabian Nights (2000)
Not Rated | 88 min | Adventure, Family, Fantasy
To cure a Prince's murderous madness, Scheherezade tells him a series of wondrous stories.
Stars: Mili Avital, Alan Bates, James Frain, Tchéky Karyo
Votes: 5,574
10. The Archer: Fugitive from the Empire (1981 TV Movie)
96 min | Action, Adventure, Fantasy
The hero is given his mentor's bow (the Heartbow) which chooses its new owner when passed on. It fires arrows that blow up like grenades, but can only be wielded by the one chosen to wield ... See full summary »
Director: Nicholas Corea | Stars: Lane Caudell, Belinda Bauer, Victor Campos, Kabir Bedi
Votes: 451
11. Atlantis (2013–2015)
TV-PG | 45 min | Adventure, Drama, Fantasy
Far from home, Jason washes up on the shores of the ancient and mysterious city of Atlantis.
Stars: Mark Addy, Jack Donnelly, Robert Emms, Aiysha Hart
Votes: 12,237
12. Attack of the Gryphon (2007)
PG-13 | 89 min | Action, Adventure, Fantasy
In a mystical land torn apart by civil war, a warrior princess must team up with a rival warrior prince to hunt down an evil sorcerer who has summoned a giant flying demon which is terrorizing their land.
Director: Andrew Prowse | Stars: Jonathan LaPaglia, Larry Drake, Amber Benson, Andrew Pleavin
Votes: 1,223
ATTACK OF THE GRYPHON
Rival warrior prince and princess Jonathan LaPaglia and Amber Benson are forced to team up to defeat a dodgy giant CGI dog-eagle (or gryphon if you must, though it looks more like a four legged chicken) which has been summoned by evil sorcerer Armand (Larry Drake), which makes it sound like a far more exciting plot than it actually is. Armand and his “witches” could have livened up proceedings had they been given more screen time, but as it is it’s way too slow, serious and cheap. The gryphon, around which the film revolves, is really so bad it makes Ray Harryhausen’s creations look realistic, but then again the performances and script are no better. The Romanian locations are attractive, but that’s really the only recommendation I could come up with.
13. Attila (2001)
Unrated | 89 min | Action, Adventure, Biography
In 400 AD, the Roman Empire is the greatest power in the world. But to the east a fierce people arose: the Huns. They believe in a prophecy about a great king who will unite the tribes and challenge Rome for control of the world.
Stars: Pauline Lynch, Steven Berkoff, Andrew Pleavin, Tommy Flanagan
Votes: 11,099
ATTILA THE HUN
This has the look and feel of an expensive TV mini-series, which of course it originally was, but don’t let that and the epic length put you off. It’s intelligently scripted, well acted and steadily paced. In the title role you have a youthful and surprisingly effective Gerard Butler a good few years before he saved Sparta in 300. The supporting cast all prove to be uniformly good value for money too, quite unusual for one of these type of productions. Obviously overlong, but it never feels like there’s much in the way of filler, so if you’ve got the time give it a go, it’s certainly as effective as either of the 50’s versions (see Attila and Sign Of The Pagan).
14. Az ember tragédiája (1969 TV Movie)
146 min | Drama, Fantasy, Romance
Director: Miklós Szinetár | Stars: Péter Huszti, Marianna Moór, László Mensáros, Andor Ajtay
Votes: 107
15. Le banquet (1989 TV Movie)
78 min | Drama
At house of Agathon get together many intellectuals and philosophers, including Socrates, to discuss the theme of love and sex: each of them intervenes to support its argument dialogical rules, within the context symposial.
Director: Marco Ferreri | Stars: Lucas Belvaux, Jean Benguigui, Marc Berman, Christian Berthelot
Votes: 99
16. Beastmaster III: The Eye of Braxus (1996 TV Movie)
PG | 92 min | Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Before he died, Dar's father gave a mysterious amulet to Tal, Dar's younger brother who is now king. Dar, while wandering with his animal companions, chances to meet and rescue a family who... See full summary »
Director: Gabrielle Beaumont | Stars: Marc Singer, Tony Todd, Keith Coulouris, Sandra Hess
Votes: 1,498
BEASTMASTER III: THE EYE OF BRAXUS
17. Beauty and the Beast (1976 TV Movie)
74 min | Family, Fantasy, Romance
A beautiful girl agrees to marry a hideous, deformed beast and live in his castle in order to save her father's life.
Director: Fielder Cook | Stars: George C. Scott, Trish Van Devere, Virginia McKenna, Bernard Lee
Votes: 433
18. Ben Hur (2010)
180 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
A young Jewish prince seeks revenge after an old friend wrongly imprisons him and his family.
Stars: Joseph Morgan, Stephen Campbell Moore, Emily VanCamp, Kristin Kreuk
Votes: 2,208
Surprisingly effective made-for-TV adaptation of the familiar story (originally broadcast as a two part mini series), which concentrates on the human and historical aspects of the story and less on the preachy religious angle favoured by the cinematic versions, and is more accessible as a result. It has something of the feeling of the series ‘Rome’, though with less sex and violence. Joseph Morgan is an effective choice in the title role, turning in a likeable and believable performance. It’s still overlong, though there’s very little difference between this and the 1959 version, but the naturalistic acting and settings make it bearable. Only the ending is a bit of a rushed affair, like they’d finished the story but felt obliged to include the final miracle so tacked it on.
19. Beyond Sherwood Forest (2009 TV Movie)
TV-14 | 93 min | Action, Adventure, Fantasy
England 1174: King Richard is away fighting the Crusade, his brother Prince John has been left in charge. In order to further international diplomatic relations with Austria, the beautiful ... See full summary »
Director: Peter DeLuise | Stars: Robin Dunne, Erica Durance, Julian Sands, Katharine Isabelle
Votes: 1,487
20. The Bible (2013)
TV-14 | 44 min | Action, Drama, War
A religious dramatic miniseries about God's creation and physical landmark events leading up to the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Stars: Keith David, Robert Powell, Jake Canuso, Diogo Morgado
Votes: 12,342
21. Blackadder (1982–1983)
TV-PG | 195 min | Comedy
In the Middle Ages, Prince Edmund the Black Adder constantly schemes and endeavors to seize the crown from his father and brother.
Stars: Rowan Atkinson, Brian Blessed, Elspet Gray, Tim McInnerny
Votes: 41,041
22. Blackadder II (1986)
TV-PG | 176 min | Comedy
In the Tudor court of Elizabeth I, Lord Edmund Blackadder strives to win Her Majesty's favour while attempting to avoid a grisly fate should he offend her.
Stars: Rowan Atkinson, Tony Robinson, Tim McInnerny, Miranda Richardson
Votes: 49,827
23. Black Arrow (1985 TV Movie)
90 min | Adventure, History
In 15th century England, a civil war called Wars of the Roses is being fought between two rival houses who want the throne. Fresh from battle, a knight finds his family dead. He joins the outlaws led by the Black Arrow to seek justice.
Director: John Hough | Stars: Benedict Taylor, Georgia Slowe, Oliver Reed, Fernando Rey
Votes: 581
24. Black Sails (2014–2017)
TV-MA | 60 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
Follows Captain Flint and his pirates twenty years prior to Robert Louis Stevenson's classic novel "Treasure Island."
Stars: Jessica Parker Kennedy, Toby Stephens, Hannah New, Zach McGowan
Votes: 112,795
25. Blackbeard (2006)
170 min | Adventure, Biography, Drama
In 1717, Royal Navy Lieutenant Robert Maynard is sent to the West Indies on a secret mission to destroy notorious pirate ship The Queen Anne's Revenge and its crew.
Stars: Angus Macfadyen, Mark Umbers, Richard Chamberlain, Jessica Chastain
Votes: 1,473
BLACKBEARD
Enjoyable TV movie with a basis in reality but woven into an effective back story in the best pirate tradition which should keep fans of Pirates Of The Caribbean entertained until the next installment comes along. Angus Macfadyen is perfectly cast in the title role, displaying just the right mix of lunacy, authority and intimidation. Also surprisingly good is Richard Chamberlain as the corrupt governor of New Providence who is secretly in league with the pirates. The rest of the cast, including unknown factor Mark Umbers as the do-gooder British officer sent to bring the pirates to justice, are all effective, and Thailand makes a surprisingly good double for the Bahamas.
26. Borgia (2011–2014)
TV-MA | 52 min | Biography, Drama, History
Story of the rise and the fall of the Renaissance dynasty.
Stars: Mark Ryder, Isolda Dychauk, Diarmuid Noyes, John Doman
Votes: 7,205
27. The Borgias (2011–2013)
TV-MA | 50 min | Crime, Drama, History
In the fifteenth century, Pope Alexander VI tries to control all power in Italy with the help of his several sons, through murder, intrigue, war, and marriage alliances.
Stars: Jeremy Irons, François Arnaud, Holliday Grainger, Peter Sullivan
Votes: 53,906
28. By the Sword Divided (1983–1985)
50 min | Drama, History, War
Story of the English Civil War as seen through the eyes of two families; the Laceys, loyal to King Charles I, and the Fletchers, loyal to Oliver Cromwell.
Stars: Sharon Maughan, Andrew MacLachlan, Rob Edwards, Lucy Aston
Votes: 235
29. Mystery!: Cadfael (1994–1998)
TV-14 | 983 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
The medieval era cases of a Crusader-turned-Monk who investigates mysteries in the Norman English town of Shrewsbury.
Stars: Derek Jacobi, Michael Culver, Julian Firth, Terrence Hardiman
Votes: 3,107
30. The Caesars (1968)
60 min | Biography, Drama, History
After years of civil war following the assassination of Julius Caesar, his adopted son Octavian manages to unite the various factions and assume control of the Roman Empire. Taking the name... See full summary »
Stars: Freddie Jones, André Morell, Caroline Blakiston, Barrie Ingham
Votes: 145
31. The Canterbury Tales (1998–2000)
28 min | Animation
On a pilgrimage from London to the tomb of Thomas Becket in Canterbury, a group of travellers from all walks of medieval society recount tales and stories to each other to provide amusement on the journey.
Stars: Robert Lindsay, Neil Dudgeon, Tim McInnerny, Michael Feast
Votes: 243
32. Catherine the Great (1995 TV Movie)
100 min | Biography, Drama, History
Trapped in a loveless arranged marriage to the immature future Czar, a young German Princess proves a skillful political infighter and rises to become Catherine the Great.
Directors: Marvin J. Chomsky, John Goldsmith | Stars: Catherine Zeta-Jones, Paul McGann, Ian Richardson, Brian Blessed
Votes: 1,347
33. Charlemagne (1993– )
90 min | Action, Adventure, Biography
Young Charlemagns is placed on the Frankish throne in the middle of the 8th Century A.D. Despite having many powerful enemies he slowly unites the nations of Western Europe and rebuilds civilization on the ruins of the Roman Empire.
Stars: Christian Brendel, Anny Duperey, Lino Capolicchio, Gilles Gaston-Dreyfus
Votes: 236
34. Un bambino di nome Gesù (1990 TV Movie)
190 min | Drama, History
The film attempts to fill in the "missing years" of Jesus, from ages 3 through 12. When King Herod orders that all Hebrew male children under the age of three be slain, Joseph moves his ... See full summary »
Director: Franco Rossi | Stars: Matteo Bellina, Bekim Fehmiu, María del Carmen San Martín, Alessandro Gassmann
Votes: 138
A CHILD CALLED JESUS
35. City of Vice (2008)
50 min | Crime, Drama, History
In the eighteenth century, London is a city filled with prostitutes, pimps, gamblers and villains. In a time before the invention of modern policing procedures, the novelist Henry Fielding ... See full summary »
Stars: Ian McDiarmid, Francis Magee, Steve Speirs, Alice O'Connell
Votes: 521
36. Cleopatra (1999)
Not Rated | 177 min | Biography, Drama, History
Princess Cleopatra becomes Egypt's Queen and has an out-of-wedlock son with the son-less Roman ruler Julius Caesar. Through two romances, she strives to protect Egypt from the Romans, and make her son the heir to Caesar's Roman Empire.
Stars: Billy Zane, Timothy Dalton, Rupert Graves, Leonor Varela
Votes: 4,329
37. The Cleopatras (1983)
50 min | Biography, Drama, History
The lives of a series of queens belonging to the Ptolemaic Dynasty of ancient Egypt, culminating in its final active ruler Cleopatra VII.
Stars: Michelle Newell, Graham Crowden, Helen Sparks, Richard Griffiths
Votes: 101
38. The Count of Monte-Cristo (1975 TV Movie)
Not Rated | 103 min | Adventure, Drama, History
A young officer, falsely imprisoned by his jealous "friends," escapes and uses a hidden treasure to exact his revenge.
Director: David Greene | Stars: Richard Chamberlain, Trevor Howard, Louis Jourdan, Donald Pleasence
Votes: 5,516
Perfectly serviceable TV movie version of Dumas’ tale which received a cinematic release in a number of European territories. Richard Chamberlain turns in a likeable performance as Edmond Dantes, the man wrongly imprisoned who escapes after 15 years and comes back to take revenge on the men who put him there. His victims include Tony Curtis and Louis Jourdan, both of whom in their day would have been playing the lead in this sort of thing, but by the mid-seventies were talent for hire. Likeable, but unexceptional.
39. 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: 10,002
40. Cyclops (2008 TV Movie)
94 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
The corrupt Emperor Tiberius forces his bravest general, Marcus, to subdue the monstrous Cyclops that has been decimating the countryside. Once the Cyclops is brought to the dungeons, ... See full summary »
Director: Declan O'Brien | Stars: Eric Roberts, Kevin Stapleton, Frida Farrell, Craig Archibald
Votes: 1,554
Well this was a pleasant surprise, a made-for-TV B-movie bearing the name of producer Roger Corman, shot in Bulgaria and starring Eric Roberts as corrupt Roman Emperor Tiberius, which is against the odds actually rather fun. There is a CGI Cyclops on the rampage terrorising ancient Rome, which culminates in the captured beast having a stand-off with gladiators in the arena. The script is fast paced, the performances adequate and the sets better than you would expect. Unknowns Kevin Stapleton as Marcus and Mike Straub as Gordian are likeable heroes to cheer for, while Valizar Binev as slave dealer Cletus is a great villain who gets killed off way too early. I initially didn’t think I was going to like the Cyclops, who looks more like Grendel’s muscular cousin in a nappy than any one-eyed giant we’re familiar with, but as the film went on he grew on me and is really quite an effective creation with his own personality. There is plenty of comic-book gore if you like that sort of thing, though anyone hoping for the nudity of the Spartacus series will be disappointed. This is a fun little entertainment in the classic peplum style, by no means a classic, but a lot more enjoyable than you would expect.
41. Da Vinci's Demons (2013–2015)
TV-MA | 60 min | Adventure, Biography, Drama
Follows Leonardo Da Vinci during his early days in Florence, as a young artist, inventor and dreamer, trying to change the future.
Stars: Tom Riley, Gregg Chilingirian, Eros Vlahos, Laura Haddock
Votes: 79,146
42. Dark Prince: The True Story of Dracula (2000 TV Movie)
R | 92 min | Biography, Horror, Thriller
The dramatized story of Dracula, looking at the historic events rather than the Hollywood version.
Director: Joe Chappelle | Stars: Rudolf Martin, Jane March, Christopher Brand, Peter Weller
Votes: 2,660
43. Dark Relic (2010 TV Movie)
88 min | Fantasy, Horror
The Holy Land, 1099AD. The end of the first Crusade. When the conflict began, Christian knight Sir Gregory lead over a hundred men, but now less than ten remain. They include his squire ... See full summary »
Director: Lorenzo Sena | Stars: James Frain, Clemency Burton-Hill, Tom Basden, Alyy Khan
Votes: 985
44. The Devil's Crown (1978)
55 min | Biography, Drama, History
Henry Plantagenet (later King Henry II), sees his opportunity to seize the crown of England and create a kingdom of law and order.
Stars: Jane Lapotaire, John Duttine, Christopher Gable, Brian Cox
Votes: 106
45. The Devil's Mistress (2008)
189 min | Adventure, Drama, Romance
Drama charts the progress of the English Civil War through the story of a young woman, the fictional Angelica Fanshawe, and her three husbands.
Stars: Andrea Riseborough, Dominic West, Tom Goodman-Hill, John Simm
Votes: 2,727
46. Don Quixote (2000 TV Movie)
120 min | Adventure, Comedy, Romance
Adapted from the work of Miguel de Cervantes, this is the story of a hidalgo, fanatic for chivalry novels, who loses his sanity and believing to be a knight named Don Quixote de La Mancha, ... See full summary »
Director: Peter Yates | Stars: John Lithgow, Bob Hoskins, Isabella Rossellini, Vanessa Williams
Votes: 1,768
47. Dungeons & Dragons: The Book of Vile Darkness (2012 TV Movie)
R | 90 min | Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Two thousand years ago, Nhagruul the Foul, a sorcerer who reveled in corrupting the innocent and the spread of despair, neared the end of his mortal days and was dismayed. Consumed by ... See full summary »
Director: Gerry Lively | Stars: Jack Derges, Glenn Aucoin, Eleanor Gecks, Barry Aird
Votes: 2,662
48. The Eagle of the Ninth (1977)
30 min | Drama, History, War
In Britannia in 130, a young Roman officer named Marcus Flavius Aquila and his freed slave Esca search for the Ninth Legion's gold eagle standard, which vanished with the legion 13 years earlier.
Stars: Anthony Higgins, Christian Rodska, Peter Whitbread, Patrick Holt
Votes: 98
49. Earthsea (2004–2005)
45 min | Fantasy, Drama, Adventure
A reckless young man is destined to become the greatest sorcerer the mystical land of Earthsea has ever known.
Stars: Shawn Ashmore, Kristin Kreuk, Isabella Rossellini, Sebastian Roché
Votes: 6,463
50. Elizabeth R (1971)
520 min | Biography, Drama, History
When Elizabeth Tudor comes to the throne, her (male) advisers know she has to marry. Doesn't she? Thus starts a decades-long political/matrimonial game, during an age of high passions and high achievement.
Stars: Glenda Jackson, Ronald Hines, Robert Hardy, Stephen Murray
Votes: 1,934
51. Elizabeth the Queen (1968 TV Movie)
90 min | Biography, Drama
In the sixteenth century, Queen Elizabeth I (Dame Judith Anderson) is the ruler of England. Robert Devereux, 3rd Earl of Essex (Charlton Heston) is her lover, best friend, and worst enemy.
Director: George Schaefer | Stars: Judith Anderson, Charlton Heston, Michael Allinson, Alan Caillou
Votes: 88
52. Empire (2005)
TV-14 | 360 min | Action, Drama, History
Epic four-hour series about the rise of Octavius who succeeds Julius Caesar and tangles with Marc Anthony for control of the Roman empire and finally went on to become the emperor Augustus.
Stars: Santiago Cabrera, Vincent Regan, Emily Blunt, James Frain
Votes: 1,764
53. The Empress of China (2014–2015)
45 min | Biography, Drama, History
Harem inner life and female rivalry story based on events of life of Wu Zetian; the only female Emperor in the Chinese history.
Stars: Bingbing Fan, Baoping Shen, Huichun Wang, Yuan Gao
Votes: 440
THE EMPRESS OF CHINA
54. Zhi zun hong yan (2003– )
1,300 min | Action, Drama, History
A retelling of the life of the first Empress of China.
Stars: Alyssa Chia, Chunrong Dai, Xing Sun, Guoqing Zhang
Votes: 72
EMPRESS WU ZETIAN OF CHINA
55. Esclave et Pharaon (1985 TV Movie)
History
Director: Patrick Meunier | Stars: Philippe du Janerand, Luc Lavandier, Christophe Ratandra, Béatrice Romand
56. The Bible Collection: Esther (1999 TV Movie)
Not Rated | 90 min | Biography, Drama, History
The Bible story of Esther starring Louise Lombard, F. Murray Abraham and Jurgen Prochnow.
Director: Raffaele Mertes | Stars: Louise Lombard, F. Murray Abraham, Jürgen Prochnow, Thomas Kretschmann
Votes: 1,646
57. La Femme Musketeer (2004)
TV-PG | 163 min | Action, Adventure
D'Artagnan's daughter Valentine and the three sons of her father's three legendary musketeer comrades must team up to rescue King Louis XIV's fiancée who's been kidnapped.
Stars: Gérard Depardieu, Michael York, Nastassja Kinski, Susie Amy
Votes: 1,155
LA FEMME MUSKETEER
58. The Flintstones (1960–1966)
TV-G | 26 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy
The misadventures of two modern-day Stone Age families, the Flintstones and the Rubbles.
Stars: Alan Reed, Mel Blanc, Jean Vander Pyl, Bea Benaderet
Votes: 40,955
59. Floris (1969)
30 min | Action, Adventure, History
A Dutch television series that is about an exiled knight and his Indian friend. Together they try to get his birth right papers back from an evil Lord. During their quest, they get help from a noble man who offers them a place in his castle.
Stars: Rutger Hauer, Jos Bergman, Ton Vos, Jacco van Renesse
Votes: 858
60. Il quarto re (1997)
90 min | Drama, Fantasy
Alazar, a simple farmer who is also a beekeeper, meets the Three Wise Men Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar, who have set off to celebrate the arrival on earth of the Messiah. Alazar's magic ... See full summary »
Director: Stefano Reali | Stars: Raoul Bova, Daniel Ceccaldi, Joachim Fuchsberger, Billy Dee Williams
Votes: 133
61. La freccia nera (1968– )
Adventure
Very successful italian version of Robert Louis Stevenson's historical romance "The black arrow", produced by public TV and directed by Anton Giulio Majano, considered "italian tele-romance... See full summary »
Stars: Aldo Reggiani, Arnoldo Foà, Gianni Musy, Loretta Goggi
Votes: 71
62. The Fugitive of Joseon (2013)
Drama, History, Thriller
Set during the reign of King Injong, the protagonist is a royal physician desperate to cure his ailing daughter. He becomes a fugitive when he gets entangled in an assassination plot to ... See full summary »
Stars: Lee Dong-wook, Kim Yoo-bin, Song Ji-Hyo, Park Ji-young
Votes: 113
63. Game of Thrones (2011–2019)
TV-MA | 60 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
Nine noble families fight for control over the lands of Westeros, while an ancient enemy returns after being dormant for millennia.
Stars: Emilia Clarke, Peter Dinklage, Kit Harington, Lena Headey
Votes: 2,280,411
64. Pompei, ieri, oggi, domani (2007– )
180 min | Drama
Epic drama of forbidden love in Pompeii at the city's height of glory, up to the eruption of Vesuvius in AD 79. We follow nobles, slaves, gladiators and the secret gatherings of early Christians. Mostly in English.
Stars: Tomas Arana, Victor Alfieri, Tony Musante, Bettina Zimmermann
Votes: 155
GLADIATOR OF POMPEII
This was originally a three-hour mini-series in Italy, but was released in other territories on DVD as one long epic. The tension is effectively created through slowly building rumbles and the various character story arcs are quite plausible involving the usual downtrodden slaves and Christians as the heroes. The final destruction is satisfactory and suitably lengthy, taking up most of the final hour, unlike most films on the subject that save the mayhem for the final five minutes. The film is bookended by two ten minute segments set at the modern Pompeii site, which are totally superfluous and are better skipped. This clearly had a reasonable budget, yet while the sets, costumes and (for the most part) effects look good, and the script and performances are efficient, there is something about the production that I couldn’t quite put my finger on that betrays the project’s television origins and leaves one feeling slightly unsatisfied. It was confusingly marketed in the UK as a Spartacus: Blood And Sand clone, but the two series have little in common visually, this one keeping things refreshingly real with very little CGI until the final eruption, and the sex and blood quotients here are far lower. It did hold my interest for the full length (aside from the previously mentioned bookends) and the screenplay is not as far fetched or irrelevant as those of most movie versions, so worthy of a look if you have a casual interest.
65. Gloriana (2000 TV Movie)
138 min | Drama, History, Music
Director: Phyllida Lloyd | Stars: Josephine Barstow, Tom Randle, David Ellis, Susannah Glanville
Votes: 45
66. Greatest Heroes of the Bible (1978–1979)
510 min | Drama, Family, History
Anthology of famous events of the Old Testament.
Stars: Brad Crandall, Victor Jory, Peter Mark Richman, Will Kuluva
Votes: 171
67. Grendel (2007 TV Movie)
82 min | Drama, Fantasy, Sci-Fi
King Higlack of the Gauths entrusts prince Finn and a fire ball weapon to his champion, slayer Beowulf. They lead twelve men on a mission to help king Hrothgar of the Danes, whose once ... See full summary »
Director: Nick Lyon | Stars: Chris Bruno, Marina Sirtis, Michael J. Minor, Charles Hittinger
Votes: 1,034
68. La guerre de Troie n'aura pas lieu (1967 TV Movie)
The Trojan War cannot be allowed to happen, Of Course not. Definitely not. But..
Director: Marcel Cravenne | Stars: Caroline Cellier, Maria Mauban, Daniel Ivernel, Michel Etcheverry
69. Guinevere (1994 TV Movie)
Not Rated | 96 min | Adventure, Fantasy
The legend of King Arthur, Sir Lancelot and Guinevere, told from a somewhat more feminist perspective.
Director: Jud Taylor | Stars: Sheryl Lee, Sean Patrick Flanery, Noah Wyle, Brid Brennan
Votes: 313
70. Gunpowder, Treason & Plot (2004 TV Movie)
TV-MA | 205 min | Drama, History
Mini series depicting the turbulent and bloody reigns of Scottish monarchs Mary, Queen of Scots and her son King James VI of Scotland who became King James I of England and foiled the Gunpowder Plot.
Director: Gillies MacKinnon | Stars: Vulpe Adrian, Carmen Ungureanu, Clémence Poésy, Tadeusz Pasternak
Votes: 1,922
71. Hamlet (I) (1970 TV Movie)
Drama
Hamlet suspects his uncle has murdered his father to claim the throne of Denmark and the hand of Hamlet's mother, but the Prince cannot decide whether or not he should take vengeance.
Director: David Giles | Stars: Ian McKellen, Faith Brook, John Woodvine, Susan Fleetwood
Votes: 78
72. Hannibal (2006 TV Movie)
TV-PG | 89 min | Action, Biography, Drama
It is 200 years before the birth of Christ and Rome is the new superpower of the ancient world. She believes she is invincible - but one man is destined to change that. He is a man bound by... See full summary »
Director: Edward Bazalgette | Stars: Alexander Siddig, Emilio Doorgasingh, Bashar Rahal, Mido Hamada
Votes: 1,791
HANNIBAL: ROME’S WORST NIGHTMARE
73. A Hazard of Hearts (1987 TV Movie)
Not Rated | 90 min | Drama, Romance
When compulsive gambler Sir Giles Staverley (Christopher Plummer) has lost his estate and all of his money playing dice, he realizes that he only has one thing left of value: his daughter ... See full summary »
Director: John Hough | Stars: Diana Rigg, Edward Fox, Helena Bonham Carter, Fiona Fullerton
Votes: 1,345
It’s fair to say that the opening credits “produced by Lord Grade” and “based on a novel by Barbara Cartland”, added to the fact that this is a made-for-TV production, filled me with dread. I was pleasantly surprised to find an entertaining period melodrama, of the kind they rarely make nowadays. Serena Staverley (Helena Bonham-Carter) is won in a bet, and is forced to go and live in a house presided over by despicable Lady Harriet Vulcan (Diana Rigg), where she becomes embroiled in the family’s numerous intrigues. A top-notch cast of British thespians raise this attractive production well above the average.
74. Held der Gladiatoren (2003 TV Movie)
96 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
After almost the whole family decimated by soldiers of the Roman Empire, the noble Germanus is captured as a slave. Humiliated and tortured by the mighty of Rome, he is obliged to endure ... See full summary »
Director: Jorgo Papavassiliou | Stars: Stephan Luca, Andrea Cleven, Tanja Wenzel, Zsolt Bács
Votes: 294
75. Helen of Troy (2003)
Unrated | 88 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
The abduction of beautiful Helen, wife of Spartan King Menelaus, by Paris of Troy triggers a long war.
Stars: Emilia Fox, James Callis, Daniel Lapaine, Nigel Whitmey
Votes: 6,737
76. Hellhounds (2009 TV Movie)
83 min | Action, Adventure, Fantasy
A Greek warrior must travel to the Underworld and battle killer hellhounds in order to rescue his murdered bride from the clutches of Hades.
Director: Ricky Schroder | Stars: Scott Elrod, Adam Butcher, Amanda Brooks, James A. Woods
Votes: 777
77. Hercules (2005)
Not Rated | 240 min | Adventure, Drama, Fantasy
A chronicle of the life of the Greek hero who after killing his three sons must perform five labors to repent.
Stars: Paul Telfer, Elizabeth Perkins, Sean Astin, Leeanna Walsman
Votes: 2,107
Given what at first glance appears to be a B-grade TV movie cast and the under-the-radar status of this 4-hour TV mini-series shot in New Zealand, I had low-to-middling expectations for this, and I’m pleased to report that I was very pleasantly surprised. This is a true “origin” story where we even get to see a shadowy Zeus (or is it?) “rape” nasty Alcmene (Elizabeth Perkins), then watch Hercules grow from a boy (Jamie Croft) to a man (Paul Telfer). Telfer is likeable in the title role, maybe not as “built” as some others who have played the role, but oozing dumb charm – he reminded me of a more-buff Paul Mercurio (from Strictly Ballroom) - and here the character is played more as a victim of the conniving plots of those around him, while his tasks and the motives behind them are more fully explained than in other versions of the tale. The supporting players prove to be well chosen too, including Leelee Sobieski as gold-painted nymph Deianeira, Timothy Dalton as King Amphitryon and Sean Astin as comic-relief sidekick Linus. A central theme here is conflicting religions, a subject just as pertinent today as it was 2000 years ago, here between followers of Zeus and Hera, who both remain unseen, but omnipresent. The CGI comes in for a lot of flack in the reviews on IMDb, and yes, a lot of it is pretty rough, but then this is a moderately budgeted TV movie we’re talking about, not some mega-bucks blockbuster, so viewers should adjust their expectations accordingly. This manages to be visually inventive on a limited budget, and mixes mythological beasts like centaurs, harpies, satyrs, the hydra and, erm, hermaphrodites among it’s human protagonists. It has been noted that the story may vary on a number of points from what is the “accepted” version, yet, being based on an ancient myth of which there are several differing historical tellings, the story is pretty open to artistic interpretation anyway, and the fresh spin works in the film’s favour. For me this may well be the best telling of the legend to date, and yes, that includes the Steve Reeves movies.
78. Hercules: The Legendary Journeys (1995–1999)
TV-G | 44 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
Hercules is half-man, half-god and a hero of fantastic strength. After his malevolent stepmother, Hera, kills his wife and children, he wanders about Earth with mortal best friend Iolaus, fighting evil and trying to overcome his loss.
Stars: Kevin Sorbo, Michael Hurst, Kevin Smith, Robert Trebor
Votes: 31,794
79. Heroes of Sui and Tang (2012– )
Action, Drama, History
Stars: Winston Chao, Shaoqun Yu, Dicky Cheung, Leni Lan Crazybarby
Votes: 32
HEROES IN SUI AND TANG DYNASTIES
80. The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1982 TV Movie)
Not Rated | 102 min | Drama, Romance
Disfigured man Quasimodo (Sir Anthony Hopkins) is feared and tormented by the townspeople of Notre Dame, but he has a sensitive nature of which few are aware.
Directors: Michael Tuchner, Alan Hume | Stars: Anthony Hopkins, Derek Jacobi, David Suchet, Gerry Sundquist
Votes: 1,433
81. I, Claudius (1976)
Not Rated | 50 min | Biography, Drama, History
The personal and governmental affairs of the Julio-Claudian dynasty at the beginning of the Roman Empire, as recalled by one of its rulers.
Stars: Derek Jacobi, John Hurt, Siân Phillips, Brian Blessed
Votes: 19,345
82. Augustus: The First Emperor (2003 TV Movie)
R | 178 min | Drama, History, Romance
Caesar Augustus tells of how he became the emperor to his reluctant daughter, Julia following the death of her husband Agrippa.
Director: Roger Young | Stars: Peter O'Toole, Charlotte Rampling, Vittoria Belvedere, Benjamin Sadler
Votes: 1,452
83. Nero (2004 TV Movie)
PG-13 | 192 min | Biography, Drama, War
A six-episode mini-series covering five centuries of the Roman Empire.
Director: Paul Marcus | Stars: Hans Matheson, Laura Morante, Rike Schmid, Matthias Habich
Votes: 700
84. In the Beginning (2000)
189 min | Adventure, Drama
Biblical tales from the books of Genesis and Exodus, including the stories of Abraham's devotion and Joseph's betrayal.
Stars: Martin Landau, Jacqueline Bisset, Billy Campbell, Eddie Cibrian
Votes: 883
85. Ivanhoe (1982 TV Movie)
Not Rated | 142 min | Adventure, Drama, Romance
Wilfred of Ivanhoe, a worthy and noble knight, the champion of justice returns to England after the holy wars. He finds England under the reign of Prince John and his henchmen and finds ... See full summary »
Director: Douglas Camfield | Stars: James Mason, Anthony Andrews, Sam Neill, Michael Hordern
Votes: 5,581
86. Ivanhoe (1997)
270 min | Adventure, Drama, Romance
After returning from the Third Crusade in the Holy Land, Ivanhoe discovers that England is under the rule of the corrupt Prince John.
Stars: Ciarán Hinds, Susan Lynch, Victoria Smurfit, Steven Waddington
Votes: 1,209
87. Jabberwock (2011 TV Movie)
R | 83 min | Action, Adventure, Fantasy
A brave knight returns to his homeland to find a powerful dragon terrorizing his village. After many unsuccessful attempts to defeat the monster, he makes a sword which has magical powers that should do the trick.
Director: Steven R. Monroe | Stars: Tahmoh Penikett, Kacey Clarke, Raffaello Degruttola, Michael Worth
Votes: 695
Well, just to be clear, if it’s an adaptation of Lewis Carroll’s 1871 poem you’re after then you’ll probably be disappointed, despite the cast’s best attempts to persuade you otherwise, including insinuations that said poem is actually a medieval rhyme. On the other hand, if the movie had been called Dragon Hunt then you would have got exactly what you were expecting. A dragon’s egg is struck by lightning, and in seconds flat it has grown to a full sized beastie and is having man for breakfast and terrorising a small village. It is to the filmmakers credit that with a limited budget courtesy of the SyFy channel, Bulgarian locations and a no name cast they craft a film that is far more fun than many bigger budget efforts on a similar theme. The dragon is surprisingly well created and even comes with a little bit of a likeable personality of it’s own, and it’s CGI creation is certainly better than you’d expect from such a production. The plot is kept simple and straightforward with enough character development to keep you involved, so while no masterpiece the film is certainly a lot better than you would expect given it’s credentials.
88. Jacob (1994 TV Movie)
91 min | Biography, Crime, Drama
In the foreign land of Canaan lives Isaac, son of Abraham, with his clever, strong-willed wife Rebekah and his twin sons Esau and Jacob. The first-born, Esau, is a strong and fearless ... See full summary »
Director: Peter Hall | Stars: Matthew Modine, Lara Flynn Boyle, Sean Bean, Joss Ackland
Votes: 1,655
89. Jason and the Argonauts (2000)
Unrated | 90 min | Adventure, Fantasy
One of the most legendary adventures in all mythology is brought to life in an epic saga of one man's quest for the Golden Fleece, a gift from the gods.
Stars: Derek Jacobi, Olivia Williams, Angus Macfadyen, Dennis Hopper
Votes: 5,588
Featuring an all-star cast of C and D list names who are obviously here for an easy pay day, this has simple sets, attractive countryside and haircuts from hell. Pretty but clunky Jason (Jason London) sports a mullet like Andrew Ridgely, while King Pelias (Dennis Hopper) and his courtiers obviously fell victim to an attack of curling tongs gone wild in the creation of their golden ringlets. This sticks more faithfully to the legend than the Harryhausen version, but it’s let down by a mumbo-jumboey script. The ultra-cheap effect of having Gods as disembodied heads surrounded by clouds must have saved a fortune in sets. Hercules (Brian Thompson) has a hot body, but a face like a vegetable strainer and is very nelly. The view between Poseidon’s scaly legs as seen from the Argo as it sailed underneath must have been pretty disturbing for those onboard, but thankfully it’s obscured by clouds from where we stand. The CGI flying monkeys are cheap and cheerful, the metal fire-breathing bull is clunky, the dinosaur-thingy is not worth waiting for, Medea (Jolene Blalock) does a good but dull Angelina Jolie impression and the golden fleece frankly looks just plain silly – though I guess it’s hard to imagine a golden fleece looking otherwise really. So, against the odds, this manages to be initially entertaining, but it’s arse-numbing length soon negates that.
90. Jesus (1999)
TV-PG | 240 min | Biography, Drama, History
A movie about the life, work and death of Jesus as we know it from the Bible.
Stars: Jeremy Sisto, Debra Messing, Jacqueline Bisset, Gary Oldman
Votes: 3,257
91. Jesus of Nazareth (1977)
TV-G | 96 min | Biography, Drama, History
Beginning before the Nativity and extending through the Crucifixion and Resurrection, this mini-series brings to life all of the sweeping drama in the life of Jesus, as told by the Gospels.
Stars: Robert Powell, Olivia Hussey, Laurence Olivier, James Mason
Votes: 24,815
92. Joan of Arc (1999)
TV-PG | 90 min | Adventure, Biography, Drama
Spurred by divine voices and visions, fifteenth century teen Joan d'Arc leads French forces against the English.
Stars: Leelee Sobieski, Chad Willett, Peter O'Toole, Neil Patrick Harris
Votes: 6,334
93. Joseph (1995)
93 min | Adventure, Biography, Drama
The Biblical story of Joseph, who was sold to slavery by his brothers who were jealous of his prophetic abilities to analyze dreams and of his being their father's favorite.
Stars: Ben Kingsley, Paul Mercurio, Martin Landau, Lesley Ann Warren
Votes: 3,394
94. Journey to Promethea (2010 TV Movie)
PG-13 | 84 min | Fantasy
This fantasy movie tells the story of a far away land, where a ruthless and tyrannical king rules over the citizens with an iron fist. But there is a prophecy in ancient folklore that tells... See full summary »
Director: Dan Garcia | Stars: Sam Murphy, Louis Herthum, Caleb Michaelson, Scott L. Schwartz
Votes: 636
Enjoyably daft low budget sword and sorcery silliness. Everything happens because a prophecy fortells it at the beginning, so there’s no really big surprise when a young boy raises an army (of seven if you count the yellow dwarf!) to overthrow the unjust king (marquee name Billy Zane clearly slumming it and knowing it). Light fun if you’re in the right mood, but probably pretty pants if you’re not, it’s the sort of film you thought they really don’t make anymore.
95.
The BBC Television Shakespeare (1978–1985)
Episode:
Julius Caesar
(1979)
TV-14 | 161 min
The assassination of the would be ruler of Rome at the hands of Brutus and company has tragic consequences for Brutus and the republic.
Director: Herbert Wise | Stars: Richard Pasco, Charles Gray, Keith Michell, David Collings
Votes: 258
96. Caesar (2002)
PG-13 | 89 min | Biography, Drama, History
Twenty-year-old Julius Caeser flees Rome for his life during the reign of Sulla, but through skill and ambition rises four decades later to become Rome's supreme dictator.
Stars: Jeremy Sisto, Richard Harris, Christopher Walken, Valeria Golino
Votes: 3,174
97. King Arthur, the Young Warlord (1975)
PG | 95 min | Adventure, Drama
This is the inspiring, epic journey of a noble warrior's quest to prove his worth, his might, and his destined fate to become the next ruler of Britain.
Directors: Sidney Hayers, Pat Jackson, Peter Sasdy | Stars: Oliver Tobias, Jack Watson, Michael Gothard, Brian Blessed
Votes: 118
98.
The BBC Television Shakespeare (1978–1985)
Episode:
Richard II
(1978)
158 min
The incompetent King Richard II is deposed by Henry Bolingbroke and undergoes a crisis of identity once he is no longer King.
Director: David Giles | Stars: Derek Jacobi, John Gielgud, Jon Finch, Wendy Hiller
Votes: 323
99. The Lady and the Highwayman (1988 TV Movie)
Not Rated | 90 min | Adventure, Drama, History
Swashbuckling tale of romance, betrayal, jealousy, banditry, murder, and court intrigue set in the 1660s, during the Restoration to the English throne of King Charles II.
Director: John Hough | Stars: Emma Samms, Oliver Reed, Claire Bloom, Christopher Cazenove
Votes: 1,224
100. The Last Days of Pompeii (1984)
310 min | Action, Drama, History
The different aspects of life in Pompeii, a coastal luxury resort near Naples catering for the very rich of imperial Rome, mainly before but culminating in the eruption of the Vesuvian ... See full summary »
Stars: Ned Beatty, Brian Blessed, Ernest Borgnine, Nicholas Clay
Votes: 624
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