Alexander the Great Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A blonde-wigged guy with major family drama issues decides conquering most of the ancient world is easier than therapy, resulting in surprisingly dull battles and disappointed history buffs.

🍿 Alexander the Great: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Early Life and Royal Tensions

The film opens focusing on the early life of Alexander in Macedon, highlighting the strained relationship between his parents, King Philip II and Olympias. Olympias, believing Alexander is destined for greatness, instills in him a sense of divine purpose, often at odds with Philip’s practical political and military ambitions. This familial conflict forms a central drama in Alexander’s youth, shaping his perspective and driving forces.

Education by Aristotle and Rise to Prominence

Alexander receives tutelage from the renowned philosopher Aristotle, who imparts knowledge and a vision of Greek superiority. This education, combined with his military training under Philip, prepares him for leadership. He proves his mettle early on, demonstrating strategic insight and charisma, particularly in securing his position and gaining the loyalty of his peers and the Macedonian army.

Taking the Throne and Consolidating Power

Following the assassination of his father, King Philip II, Alexander quickly moves to secure his succession to the Macedonian throne. He eliminates potential rivals and asserts control over the fractious Greek city-states, fulfilling his father’s goal of unifying Greece under Macedonian leadership. This period establishes his reputation as a decisive and formidable ruler.

Beginning the Persian Campaign

With Greece stabilized, Alexander sets his sights on the vast Persian Empire, led by King Darius. The film depicts the initial stages of his ambitious campaign, including key battles like the Battle of the Granicus. These early victories showcase Alexander’s military genius and the effectiveness of the Macedonian phalanx, marking the beginning of his rapid conquests across Asia Minor.

Confrontation with Darius

Alexander’s campaign culminates in major confrontations with Darius’s forces. The film portrays the strategic maneuvers and intense battles that lead to the defeat and eventual death of Darius, effectively dismantling the heart of the Persian Empire. Alexander inherits vast territories and wealth, solidifying his position as the dominant power in the ancient world.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Alexander (Richard Burton): The ambitious Macedonian king who leads his army to conquer vast territories and forge a Greek empire.
• Philip of Macedonia (Fredric March): Alexander’s powerful and complex father whose conquests and rivalries significantly influence his son.
• Barsine (Claire Bloom): A Persian princess who becomes romantically involved with Alexander after his conquest of her homeland.
• Aristotle (Barry Jones): Alexander’s esteemed tutor who instills in him a deep appreciation for Greek culture and ideals.
• Darius (Harry Andrews): The formidable Persian king who stands as Alexander’s primary imperial adversary.
• Parmenio (Niall MacGinnis): A loyal and experienced general who serves both Philip and Alexander throughout their military campaigns.
• Gen. Memnon (Peter Cushing): A Greek general commanding Persian forces who poses a significant military challenge to Alexander’s invasion.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Narrator: “It is men who endure toil and dare dangers that achieve glorious deeds. And it is a lovely thing to live with courage and to die leaving behind an everlasting renown.” – This quote is spoken by the narrator during the opening credits, setting the epic and ambitious tone for Alexander’s life and conquests.
• Alexander: “At Troy, Achilles found his Hector and he killed him. Who will be my Hector? TO THE GOD OF BATTLES!” – Alexander declares his fervent ambition for glory and a worthy rival in battle, invoking the legendary heroes of the Trojan War.
• Alexander: “You have conquered kingdoms, Father. I will conquer the world!” – Alexander speaks to his father, Philip, expressing his ambition to surpass his father’s military achievements and claim dominion over the entire known world.
• Alexander: “I will leave my mark across the face of the Earth, in cities built to my name!” – Alexander voices his desire for a lasting legacy, planning to establish cities named after himself throughout his vast future empire.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $4,000,000
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: N/A

💥 Alexander the Great Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, full disclosure, I went into this hoping for massive, exciting battle scenes, but uh, that’s not really what you get here. The film spends a *lot* of time on Alexander’s drama with his dad, Philip, and honestly, Fredric March as Philip is way more interesting than Burton’s Alexander, especially in that questionable blonde wig. I was kinda bored during the long talking scenes, even though some of the dialogue is pretty elevated. The battles felt like people awkwardly running into each other instead of world-altering events. I kept waiting for it to get epic, but it mostly felt like watching a history lecture, albeit a very pretty one with elaborate costumes. Some parts were visually striking, like walking through the Parthenon. And Peter Cushing shows up for a bit and is great, which was a nice surprise. But overall, it felt slow and didn’t really make me feel the scope or the passion of Alexander’s life. Definitely not my favorite historical epic, but points for trying and having some impressive sets!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic Hollywood historical epics”
  • “Viewers interested in the life of Alexander the Great, despite historical inaccuracies”
  • “Those interested in Richard Burton’s early film career”
  • “Viewers who enjoy family drama within a historical context”
  • “Fans of large-scale productions from the 1950s”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Stylized historical violence and warfare (dated effects)”
  • “Intense family conflict and intrigue”
  • “Themes of power, ambition, and paranoia”
  • “Dated portrayals and historical inaccuracies”

Professional Reviews

• Classical Cinema Critic: “Despite lavish production values and a strong supporting cast, this epic falters significantly. The script is often tedious, leaning heavily on talk rather than action or character depth. While Fredric March delivers a compelling performance, Richard Burton struggles, hampered by questionable direction and a notorious wig. Battle scenes, meant to be grand, feel clumsy and uninspired, failing to capture the strategic brilliance of Alexander. A visually impressive but ultimately dull historical exercise.
• Historical Film Buff: “Accuracy issues aside (and there are many!), the film’s first half, exploring Alexander’s complex relationship with his parents, shows moments of genuine dramatic power, largely thanks to March and Danielle Darrieux. However, as the focus shifts to conquest, the narrative becomes rushed and superficial. Key historical events are condensed or ignored, and the scale feels underwhelming despite the ‘cast of thousands’. A valiant but ultimately flawed attempt to capture an immense life.
• Vintage Movie Maven: “Watching this today reveals its age, not just in production but in pacing and acting style. The dialogue often feels stilted, more suited to a stage play than a cinematic epic. While visually grand with impressive sets and costumes, the emotional core struggles to connect, particularly in the later conquest sections. It lacks the energy and focus needed to sustain its runtime, leaving even dedicated fans of the genre feeling underwhelmed.

Audience Reactions

Many viewers found the film’s pacing incredibly slow and battle scenes underwhelming.: Appreciation for the elaborate sets and costumes, and some praise for Fredric March’s performance as Philip.

Frequent comments noted the historical inaccuracies and Richard Burton’s ‘distracting’ blonde wig.: Acknowledge that despite flaws, it’s a key film in the historical epic genre of the 1950s.

Some enjoyed the focus on Alexander’s family dynamics in the first half more than the later conquest sequences.: Considered by some as an interesting comparison point to later Alexander films.

Overall Consensus: A visually impressive but often dull and historically inaccurate epic from the 1950s, noted for its slow pacing and underwhelming battle sequences, though some appreciate its production design and certain performances.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The Egyptian soothsayer character, played by Helmut Dantine, was uncredited and dubbed by future horror icon Sir Christopher Lee.”
• “The film was shot primarily in Spain, utilizing locations in Málaga, Madrid, Manzanares, and El Molar, with cooperation from the Spanish government and army for large-scale scenes.”
• “Director Robert Rossen, a director affected by the Hollywood blacklist, returned with this large-scale epic before later directing ‘The Hustler’.”
• “Historical inaccuracies are present, such as Alexander and Aristotle being depicted with modern bound books instead of scrolls, which were the format used at the time.”
• “Richard Burton wore a noticeable blonde wig for the role of Alexander, which is frequently commented upon by viewers.”

🖥️ How to Watch Alexander the Great?

“Alexander the Great” (1956) is available for rent or purchase on digital platforms. You can typically find it by searching on major online movie retailers like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies & TV, and Vudu, where it is offered for streaming purchase or rental.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Alexander the Great, you might like these similar films:

• Ben-Hur (1959): A quintessential historical epic of the era, sharing a grand scale, focus on personal drama within a vast historical setting, and significant production values.
• Alexander (2004): Oliver Stone’s later attempt to tell the same story, offering a direct comparison in narrative approach, historical interpretation, and visual style decades later.
• The Lion in Winter (1968): While a different setting, it excels in depicting complex, often antagonistic family dynamics and power struggles within a royal household, mirroring the core conflict between Alexander, Philip, and Olympias in the 1956 film.
• The Ten Commandments (1956): A prime example of the massive, star-studded historical epics produced in the same year, showcasing similar ambitions in scale, spectacle, and dramatic presentation.
• Jason and the Argonauts (1963): Appeals to fans of ancient world settings and adventure spectacles from the era, known for its mythological theme and groundbreaking stop-motion effects, offering a different, more fantasy-driven take on Greek heroism.

🛒 Alexander the Great Related Products

• Ancient Greece: From Dawn to Golden Age (Audible Audiobook): Explore the true history behind Alexander’s era with this in-depth Audible lecture series covering key periods and figures of Ancient Greece.
• The Campaigns of Alexander by Arrian (Penguin Classics): A primary source account of Alexander’s military campaigns, written by a Greek historian in the 2nd century AD, offering a detailed look at his conquests.
• Total War: ROME REMASTERED (PC Code – Email Delivery): Relive and reshape the history of the ancient world, including Alexander’s era, in this classic grand strategy game featuring massive real-time battles.
• Replica Ancient Greek Coin (Tetradrachm of Alexander the Great): A detailed replica of a silver coin issued during Alexander’s reign, featuring his likeness or symbols of his power like Hercules or Zeus.

🎧 Soundtrack

Alexander the Great features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Theme from Alexander the Great” – performed by Mario Nascimbene
• “Philip’s March” – performed by Mario Nascimbene
• “The Battle of Granicus” – performed by Mario Nascimbene
• “Conquest of Persia” – performed by Mario Nascimbene
• “Death in Babylon” – performed by Mario Nascimbene

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Why Alexander the Great’s mother “Olympias” is the most Ruthless woman who ever lived

Think you know Alexander the Great? You *have* to learn about his mother, Olympias! This video calls her one of history’s most ruthless women, and honestly, after watching, I can see why – she was intense!

Alexander the Great vs Ivan the Terrible. Epic Rap Battles of History

Want to see how Alexander the Great stacks up against history’s other ‘Greats’ in a rap battle? This Epic Rap Battle of History is surprisingly catchy and a fun modern take on the legendary conqueror!

Alexander the Great (356-323 B.C.) (2015 Remaster)

Ever wondered if Alexander the Great inspired heavy metal? Well, Iron Maiden has a whole epic track dedicated to him – crank up this song for a totally different vibe!

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