Whatever your version of an epic movie might be, you might be surprised to learn that many have passed you by without you realizing it. Hard to believe, right? Whether you rate a movie on its budget or enjoyability factor, scan your eyes over the following films and see if you might have overlooked a classic masterpiece.
The Fall of Berlin
Starring Mikheil Gelovani and Boris Andreyev, this Soviet epic depicting the Battle of Berlin had limited accessibility outside of the USSR during its initial release, largely due to the belief that it was nothing more than Russian propaganda. The film featured a grand-scale portrayal of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany, focusing on the battle for Berlin.
The Fall
Fans of The Fall are adamant that there’s never been a movie like it, yet many of us aren’t aware of its existence. Despite critical acclaim, Tarsem Singh’s visually stunning masterpiece had a limited release, which flew under many people’s radar. This masterpiece features a hospitalized stuntman who weaves an epic tale to a young girl to distract her from her pain. It’s a simple premise but an epic nonetheless.
The Brick
Rian Johnson’s neo-noir thriller, set in a high school where a teenage loner investigates his ex-girlfriend’s murder in a labyrinthine underworld, only had a small marketing budget and didn’t receive widespread distribution. Despite starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, the movie remains a mystery to many film lovers.
The Assassination of Jesse James
Starring Brad Pitt and Casey Affleck, this film delves into the complex relationship between legendary outlaw Jesse James and his eventual assassin. It received critical acclaim but was considered too slow-paced, and Wild-West Western fans missed it. It didn’t help that it had a lengthy runtime and unconventional storytelling.
The Man from Earth
Despite its intriguing premise, this indie sci-fi drama had a limited theatrical run and relied heavily on word-of-mouth for promotion. The movie featured a college professor who revealed to his colleagues that he is a prehistoric caveman who has lived for thousands of years. Despite its poor marketing, the movie received astounding reviews.
The Fountain
This visually breathtaking film, starring Hugh Jackman and Rachel Weisz, interweaves three parallel stories of love and mortality. It has stunning visuals and a unique narrative, but upon release, it received mixed reviews, limiting its audience.
A Brighter Summer Day
Edward Yang’s Taiwanese masterpiece is a lengthy and challenging film that didn’t receive widespread distribution outside of film festivals and niche screenings. Set in 1960s Taiwan, the film follows a young boy’s descent into delinquency amidst societal and political upheaval.
Aguirre, the Wrath of God
This tale of a Spanish expedition for El Dorado that descended into madness and despair in the Amazon rainforest struggled to find a wide audience due to its unconventional narrative and limited distribution. Personal disagreements between the director, Werner Herzog, and lead actor, Klaus Kinski, may have fueled the fire somewhat.
Wings of Desire
Though critically acclaimed, Wim Wenders’ poetic masterpiece may not have had broad appeal outside of art-house circles. Angels roam the streets of Berlin, observing and comforting its inhabitants on this journey of love and mortality. Critics classed it as a cinematic symphony.
Baraka
Shot in 24 countries on six continents, this non-narrative documentary, while visually stunning, had limited screenings and catered to a niche audience. It is a mesmerizing journey across the globe, capturing the beauty and diversity of human existence and the natural world.
The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover
Despite taking a whopping $7.7 million at the box office, Greenaway’s provocative film may have been too controversial and avant-garde for mainstream audiences. Starring Helen Mirren and Michael Gambon, the premise outlines the wife of a gangster who begins a passionate affair with a bookshop owner, leading to tragic consequences.
Prince of the City
This three-hour drama is based on the life of Robert Leuci, an NYPD whistleblower who exposed corrupt members of the force. As a gritty documentary-style film, it makes up for what it lacks in action with tension.
The Man Who Would Be King
British movie favorites Sean Connery and Michael Caine starred in this epic adaptation of the Rudyard Kipling novella. They are two British NCOs in search of adventure, and their mission is accomplished when one of them accidentally becomes King of Kafiristan. It’s a terrific piece of swashbuckling adventure.
Barry Lyndon
Stanley Kubrick’s masterpiece transported audiences to eighteenth-century Europe in a saga that followed an Irish rogue as he cheated his way to high society. Suspenseful duels and gripping fights made this a captivating epic of its time.
The New World
The clash of cultures between Native Americans and European settlers sets the scene for this captivating story. Christian Bale showcases his seamless acting prowess as John Rolfe and newcomer Q’orianka Kilcher were the perfect real-life Pocahontas.
Red Cliff
It might not be everyone’s idea of a masterpiece, but there’s no denying that the lesser-known Red Cliff is a sprawling epic set during the Three Kingdoms period of Ancient China. Expect political intrigue, grand visuals, and adrenaline-inciting action scenes.
Once Upon a Time in America
This epic, with stunning performances from Robert De Niro and James Woods, follows the lives of Jewish gangsters in New York City. The narrative is impeccable, and the visuals live up to those of a timeless masterpiece. Director Sergio Leone passed up the opportunity to direct The Godfather in favor of this movie.
The City of Lost Children
Starring Ron Perlman, this surreal French fantasy film had a limited release in the United States and catered to a niche audience. In a dystopian world, a mad scientist kidnaps children to steal their dreams, leading to a fantastical adventure.
