Alexander the Great

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.

In his autobiography, Adam West stated, "May well be the worst hour of TV in history" regarding this pilot for a proposed TV series that he co-stared in. Is it THAT bad? Of course not - I've seen worse pilots and worse TV series. That's not to say that this is a GOOD pilot, however. I will say that it doesn't look bad - some time and expense was put into making or getting a hold of period costumes and props, though it does look some battle footage was taken from a theatrical movie. And there is some amusement from Shatner's sometimes hammy performance as the title figure, and that this great leader is sometimes portrayed as a kind of adolescent goofball. But that is all that is entertaining about this pilot. It's a real dull affair for the most part, with a lot of stiff and dry dialogue. The pilot also fails to provide enough explanation for viewers who know little to nothing about Alexander the Great and his military campaign, so as a result there are some confusing parts. If you do want to watch this pilot despite what I've said, it can be found on the Mill Creek DVD company's 50 movie pack "The Sensational Sixties", which managed to uncover a decent-looking print for this now public domain production.

If I remember correctly, I only saw this flick once, and that was many years ago. Therefore I don't remember much about it except that it was so bad, it was hilarious. First of all was William Shatner in his usual hammy, overacting mode (did he have any other?). As a horse lover, I could not help but notice that Alexander's famous horse, Bucephalus, was played by an American Saddle Horse, which breed was not developed for many centuries after Alexander's time. However, I must recommend "Alexander the Great" mainly because it contains probably my favorite line in motion picture history. Alexander says of Bucephalus, "Did I not tell you that among horses he too is a God?" This stinker is worth seeing for that alone!

Not a whole lot of plot, but fun to watch for Shatner's performance. Adam West had surprisingly few lines for a second-billed role.

As I write this, the pilot is available to watch for free on YouTube. Just search for "Shatner Alexander the Great."