Will there ever be a better classical/historical film?

Rating: 10/10 (22 January 2005)

I have just returned from watching one of the best movies I have ever seen, regardless of the historical period but easily the best ancient history epic! Stone's direction was near perfection; the cinematography by Pieto was faultless as was the acting and the music and the casting and the effects-if you think I love this film, you are right.
Did I think that the film was an accurate portrayal of the events, as we know them-YES! Will I ever see a better depiction of events that took place in fourth century BC-NO! I also will take bets that this film may very well go down the same gurgler as Michael Cimino's, "Heaven's Gate"-perhaps the best western yet made. I have purposely not read anything about this film except faint media rumblings about it's unsuccess at the box but no more than that. I don't know why it was disliked but none of that negativity could or should be directed to Stone. His images were totally absorbing from the opening credits-which, by the way, were superb. After sitting through them, I was hooked and the camera work just took me in deeper and deeper.
The first battle scene against the Persian army under Darius should be a text book presentation about how to film ancient combat. This was followed at the end of the film by an even more remarkable battle between the Greeks and an Indian army with elephants-as accurately portrayed as it could possibly be. I am aware of society's abhorrence of cruelty to animals but in all my years of watching films, this morning was the first time that I have ever seen animals looking like moving pin cushions. That must have been the way battle was in ancient war-just a bit of Stone's eye for detail.
By all means see this movie if for no other reason than to see the director's shot selection as well as Prieto's camera work-a brilliant combination!