Alexander the Great

A story about great men that would come to redefine our civilisation. An event whose impact would reach the "ends of the world and the great outer sea". A cultural revolution had started that would mark the beginning of an epoch.

None of these statements describes this made for TV pilot movie, which is a rather turgid retelling of the Battle of Issus with William Shatner in the title role and Adam West playing Robin to his Alexander. The script is horrible, the acting is wooden and thank god this pilot was never picked up.

Three years later Shatner and West were free to be cast in their iconic roles and history was made.

This is a pilot episode about a failed series concerning Alexander the Great . It is a brief biopic about the famous conqueror of the Fourth Century, his doubts, betrayals and relentless challenges. As Alexander : William Shatner, crossed to Asia on his eleven years of conquest to an unknown world. The picture deals with his taking on Persian King Darius III and especially his General Memnon : Cliff Osmond . Finally, Darius III to be defeated in three bloody battles : Granico, Issos, Gaugamela.

Fimmaker offers a medium budget film with a few fresh and insightful ideas about Alexander. There is plenty of globe-trotting horse going along here, along with one or two battle sequences and they are made in scale enough but no much, and, being rather effective. Willam Shatner is an acceptable choice as the Macedonian hero, I was surprised to find he really fits his character pretty well . He brings a high level to the part, doing us focus on his bravery, obstinacy, and integrity. However, the picture is more focused on the discussion, debates, arguments, and confrontation with his Generals. These commanders are well played by a fine plethora of secondaries as Joseph Cotten, Adam West, Simon Oakland, John Doucette , and Alexander's main contender nicely performed by John Cassevetes. While Alexander's love interest being acted by the beautiful Ziva Rodann. In the film stands out a rousing and epic musical score by Leonard Rosenman. The motion picture was professionally directed by Phil Karlson, though with no much enthusiasm.

The picture is partially based on historical events. As Alexander was born in Pella and died in Babylon (356-323 BC), he was disciple to great philosopher Aristoteles and conquering most of the then known world, creating a Greek empire that spanned all the way from the Balkans to India . Son of the great king Philip II of Macedonya who vanquished in Queronea and united the Greek cities in the league of Corintho. Alexander conquested all of the ancient Greek tribes and led the Macedonian army against Persians. From his conquest of Egypt founding Alexandria as capital, he took Phenician coast cities, Byblos, Sidon, Tiro and subsequently Babylon and Persepolis that he fired. In spite of his gay orientation and loving relationship with his childhood friend, Hephastion, he married a Persian princess called Roxanne. Later on, he continued his unstoppable conquests arriving in Afghanistan and Khiver Pass and pushing all the way to India where he reigned unchallenged. In India he was infected by fevers , dying a bit later on. Then his vast empire to be divided amongst his Generals : Seleuco, Antioco, Ptolomy.

There are various versions about Alexander, these are the following ones : Alexander the Great 1956 by Robert Rossen with Richard Burton, Danielle Darrieux as his mother Olympias , Claire Bloom, Gustavo Rojo, Ruben Rojo, Marisa de Leza, Fredric March as Philipo, Peter Cushing, Barry Jones, Michael Hordern. Alexander 2004 by Oliver Stone with Colin Farrell, Angela Jolie as Olympias , Jared Leto, Anthony Hopkins as Aristoteles , Rosario Dawson, Christopher Plummer, Val Kilmer as Philipo. And Young Alexander 2010 by Jalal Mehri with Sam Heugham, Lauren Cohen.

Do you want to see Captain Kirk and Batman in the same scene? Or how about two great stage actors in a BC period piece? William Shatner, Joseph Cotten, John Cassavetes, and Adam West all teamed up for the television hour-long movie Alexander the Great. It was obviously a low-budget flick, and the two famous tv fellows weren't famous yet.

Really, the only reason to watch this is if you think William Shatner is a stud. He prances around in skimpy Roman costumes showing off his body, and he looks very cute with his wavy, blond hair. The movie itself is pretty bad. It's one of those old tv movies that give old tv movies a bad name. But I did sit through the entire hour. I like to look at pretty things.

The first temptation is to critic it very hard. The image of Persia from intro is fake, the Macedonians seems like Romans, the fight scenes are almost passable.

But William Shatner proposes a not so bad Alexander, Joseph Cotton and John Cassavetes are just good and the film is only a pilot episode .

So, after the 52 minutes, you can define it as a decent try, inspired by the spirit of period in adaptation of Ancient history heroic episodes, with a reasonable potential and fair in large aspects.

A nice film and a not so bad story- sure, the aspect of sketch is obvious.

At the second view it seems just correct, the heroic virtues, the love story, the punishment of traitors and enemies being fair used. The most important, the desire of return to Macedonia , interesting reflected.

A decent little flick that is so short you won't have time to get bored. I couldn't help but see Adam West as Batman in this, but fortunately Shatner was able to shed his stereotypical acting style.

For those asking and looking for a copy of this movie, it's on The Sensational Sixties 50 Movie DVD set. Look on eBay, you can probably find it for less than $20.