Films about legends explore the stories and characters that have been passed down through generations. These tales, often rooted in myth, folklore, or historical figures of extraordinary magnitude, capture the imagination and spirit of cultures from around the world. The characters are typically larger than life, embodying virtues, vices, and the quintessential struggle between good and evil. These films transport viewers to a time of heroes, monsters, and epic quests, often emphasizing the moral and philosophical lessons these ancient stories intended to impart.
“King Arthur: Legend of the Sword”, 2017
Director: Guy Ritchie
Directed by Guy Ritchie, this film reimagines the classic tale of King Arthur and his rise to power. After pulling the enchanted sword Excalibur from a stone, Arthur must come to terms with his legacy and battle the tyrant Vortigern, who killed his parents and seeks to control the kingdom.
Starring: Charlie Hunnam, Astrid Berges-Frisbey, Jude Law, Djimon Hounsou, Eric Bana, Aidan Gillen, Freddie Fox, Craig McGinlay, Tom Wu, Kingsley Ben-Adir;
Production year: 2017;
Genre: fantasy, action, drama, adventure;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 126 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,7;
More information about the film “King Arthur: Legend of the Sword” on the website imdb.com
“Troy”, 2004
Director: Wolfgang Petersen
Based on Homer's “Iliad,” this epic film directed by Wolfgang Petersen chronicles the legendary Trojan War. It features Brad Pitt as Achilles, whose fate is intertwined with the destiny of Troy after Paris, Prince of Troy, provokes the Greeks by stealing Helen, the most beautiful woman in the world, from her husband, King Menelaus.
Starring: Brad Pitt, Eric Bana, Orlando Bloom, Brian Cox, Diane Kruger, Brendan Gleeson, Sean Bean, Julie Christie, Peter O'Toole, Rose Byrne;
Production year: 2004;
Genre: action, history, drama, melodrama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 163 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,3;
More information about the film “Troy” on the website imdb.com
“Robin Hood”, 2010
Director: Ridley Scott
Directed by Ridley Scott, this adaptation of the famous English folk legend stars Russell Crowe as Robin Hood. The film follows the titular hero as he becomes an outlaw championing the oppressed against the corrupt English crown in the late 12th century, laying the groundwork for the well-known tales of Robin and his band of Merry Men.
Starring: Russell Crowe, Cate Blanchett, Max von Sydow, William Hurt, Mark Strong, Oscar Isaac, Kevin Durand, Eileen Atkins, Mark Addy, Matthew Macfadyen;
Production year: 2010;
Genre: action, drama, history;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 140 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,6;
More information about the film “Robin Hood” on the website imdb.com
“Beowulf”, 2007
Director: Robert Zemeckis
Robert Zemeckis directed this animated adaptation of the ancient Anglo-Saxon poem. The film uses motion capture technology to tell the story of Beowulf, a hero who battles the monster Grendel, Grendel's vengeful mother, and later, faces an even greater enemy in his quest for glory and redemption.
Starring: Ray Winstone, Anthony Hopkins, Robin Wright, John Malkovich, Crispin Glover, Brendan Gleeson, Angelina Jolie, Costas Mandylor, Paul Baker, John Bilezikjian;
Production year: 2007;
Genre: animation, fantasy, action, drama, adventure;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 113 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,3;
More information about the film “Beowulf” on the website imdb.com
“Mulan”, 1998
Director: Tony Bancroft, Barry Cook
This animated Disney film is inspired by the Chinese legend of Hua Mulan. It tells the story of a courageous young woman who disguises herself as a man to take her ailing father's place in the Chinese army, battling invaders and breaking societal norms in a patriarchal era.
Starring: Eddie Murphy, Lea Salonga, Miguel Ferrer, Harvey Fierstein, Freda Foh Shen, June Foray, James Hong, Miriam Margolyes, Pat Morita, Marni Nixon;
Production year: 1998;
Genre: animation, musical, fantasy, comedy, adventure, family, war;
MPAA rating: g;
Duration: 84 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,7;
More information about the film “Mulan” on the website imdb.com
“Brave”, 2012
Director: Mark Andrews, Brenda Chapman, Steve Purcell
This Pixar animated film is set in the Scottish Highlands and follows the spirited Merida, a skilled archer and the headstrong daughter of King Fergus and Queen Elinor. When Merida defies an age-old custom, she unleashes chaos in the kingdom and must discover the true meaning of bravery to undo a beastly curse.
Starring: Kelly Macdonald, Emma Thompson, Billy Connolly, Julie Walters, Robbie Coltrane, Kevin McKidd, Craig Ferguson, Sally Kinghorn, Eilidh Fraser, Peigi Barker;
Production year: 2012;
Genre: animation, fantasy, comedy, adventure, family;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 93 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,1;
More information about the film “Brave” on the website imdb.com
“The Legend of Hercules”, 2014
Director: Renny Harlin
Directed by Renny Harlin, this film explores the origin story of Hercules, the mythical Greek hero, son of Zeus, who is betrayed by his stepfather, the King, and sold into slavery because of a forbidden love. He must use his formidable powers to fight his way back to his rightful kingdom.
Starring: Kellan Lutz, Scott Adkins, Liam McIntyre, Gaia Weiss, Liam Garrigan, Roxanne McKee, Rade Šerbedžija, Johnathon Schaech, Luke Newberry, Kenneth Cranham;
Production year: 2014;
Genre: action, fantasy;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 99 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 4,3;
These films, drawing from rich and diverse sources of legend, provide not only entertainment but a window into the complexities of human nature, the struggle for power, and the pursuit of destiny, reflecting the timeless appeal these stories hold.
In the expansive tapestry that is cinema, films about legends serve not only as a window into the vast echelons of human creativity but also as a mirror reflecting our deepest desires, fears, and aspirations. They transport us across the mists of time, into realms where the impossible becomes tangible, and where heroes and monsters embody the very essence of our moral and existential quandaries. These stories, whether rooted in ancient mythologies or sprung from the wellspring of contemporary legend, remind us of the perpetual human quest for meaning, connection, and transcendence. As we stand on the precipice of an ever-evolving cinematic landscape, it is clear that films about legends will continue to captivate and challenge audiences, inviting us to ponder not just the legends of old, but also the legends we are in the process of becoming.
