'Whoever conquers oneself is greater than the person who conquers in battle a thousand times a thousand people.'

Rating: 5/10 (1 February 2007)

Alexander the film was almost as ambitious as Alexander the Man and consequently everything about this film is forced. Oliver Stone has fallen foul of Alexander's intimidating legacy with this beleaguered attempt to do it justice. He has tried hard to create a masterpiece about a man who's claim to greatness is based upon territorial conquest and subjugation.
It is a pity Stone didn't focus more upon the periphery of Alexander rather than glaring a full spotlight on the raw and raging ego of the man. You come away feeling like you have looked directly into the sun, tiresome and painful. Certainly it made an old Buddhist adage spring to mind.
'Whoever conquers oneself is greater than the person who conquers in battle a thousand times a thousand people.'