Alexander: The Ultimate Cut [Blu-ray] [2004]

I originally sat on the fence in my opinion of the theatre release of Alexander, but Alexander Revisited has won me over as admirer of the film. The new cut has a truly epic feel and the leading characters are portrayed with more breadth and depth. In particular, the climactic crises of Alexander's career are conveyed more intelligibly and convincingly than before. I am the author of both academic articles and non-fiction books on Alexander, so I feel I should comment particularly on the historical accuracy of the film. In my opinion Alexander Revisited is notably honest, daring and sincere in its pursuit of historical accuracy. Although Oliver has deliberately conflated events which actually occurred at different times and places into single scenes (I think he had to in order to tell the whole story in a single film), almost everything has some kind of historical basis in the group of 2000 year old accounts, which provide most of our knowledge of Alexander. For example, such details as Cleitus severing the arm of a Persian about to strike Alexander, the incident with the monkeys in India and Alexander's visit to the wounded after the battle are all in the sources. Even that eagle is mentioned by Curtius. Furthermore, many snippets of dialogue are based on words actually said to have been spoken by Alexander: e.g. "He too is Alexander", "So would I if I were Parmenion", "It is a lovely thing to live with courage..." Great attention to historical detail was also paid to the costumes and scenery. Babylon was particularly good - the ziggurat, the flowers and the caged big cats were all really there when Alexander drove into the city in a chariot. Overall, Alexander Revisited gives a more authentic sense of the real history than any other film about the ancient world that I can think of. Gladiator was a great film, but its greatness owed more to Marvel comic strip principles of action and violence than to its setting in ancient Rome. Alexander Revisited is a great film because it tells one of the most compelling human stories in all of history with faithfulness, drama and pathos.

Complex history and a very complex man. The writers and director do an excellent job of tackling a very difficult, larger-than-life historical mover and shaker. You will be spellbound by the scenes, cinematography, and CGA sets. Almost all of the actors are first rate and infuse life, humanity, and pathos into their character. You will not be disappointed with this tour de force. Some nudity so keep it away from the kids - this is real life!!!

Oliver Stone, one of my favorite directors, takes a bit of a different tack with this one, but it pays off. Bloated but still enjoyable.

Alexander: The Ultimate Cut is a masterclass in storytelling.

Oliver Stone is having trouble having a final cut of the film but the final cut is much more like the Ben Hur Epic Style.

Though it has its flaws, overall its a very good robes and marble film; you won't be bored.

There are a lot of great actors and actresses. Taught me interesting facts that I never knew about that time era

I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A OLIVER STONE FAN AND THIS WAS GREAT. I CAN'T BELIEVE IT WAS NOT WELL RECIEVED AT THE THEATERS. THE LENGTH OF THE MOVIE MAY BE LONG FOR SOME, BUT TO TELL THIS STORY AS HE DID - THE TIME IS GOOD. THIS MOVIE SHOWS A TRUTH, THAT THERE WAS FEAR BEFORE BATTLES AND THAT ALEXANDER DID GO TO BATTLE WITH HIS TROOPS AND NOT JUST TELL THEM WHAT TO DO - HE WAS WOUNDED SEVERAL TIMES DURING BATTLE. THIS IS A WONDERRFUL WAY TO LEARN MORE OF HISTORY THAN JUST READING. THE HISTORY COMES ALIVE AND FOLLOWS WELL. ALEXANDER'S VISION OF EXPANDING TO THE EAST AND SEARCHING TO THE GREAT OUTER SEA IS SHOWN WITH ALL THE HARDSHIPS THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN ENDURED. THE PORTRAYAL OF ALEXANDER IS SHOWN AS TRUE TO HISTORY - HIS HUMANITY WHERE HE GAVE TO HIS MEN AND WOMEN, AND TO THE CULTURES THAT HE OVER TOOK; HIS PERSONNAL RELATIONSHIPS (LOVE INTEREST) BOTH MEN AND WOMEN. THIS MOVIE FOLLOWS HIS LIFE FROM A YOUNG BOY TILL HIS DEATH, IN A REMEMBERANCE FORM AND GIVES A REASON TO THE HOW'S AND WHY'S OF HIS ACTIONS THROUGHOUT HIS SHORT LIFE (33 Y/O). THE PERFORMANCES BY COLIN FARRELL AS ALEXANDER AND JARED LETO AS HEPHAESTION ARE UNPARALLELED.