Rebirth of the epic film

W.ith the dawn of the digital age of filmmaking, one might expect to see more and more of the special effects blockbusters that have dominated the world film market during the last quarter century.

This is only partially true.

While some may argue that nearly every "big" film released nowadays has not only a big-name star attached but also a flimsy story line held up on a thin platform of computer wizardry, Hollywood is changing its tune if only to stay with a newfound sense of what is chic or "cool."

Case in point: epics.

Starting with 1995's "Braveheart" and continuing with films like "Gladiator," the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy and next year's "Gangs of New York," Hollywood seems to have gotten the epic bug. And by no means is this a bad thing.

Epics have been out of fashion since the late 60s, following a string of expensive failures like the then-most expensive movie of all time: 1963's "Cleopatra."

Around that time Hollywood began to explore new and unconventional types of films aided not only by the removal of film censorship, but also by the changing attitude of audiences. People wanted to see gritty, realistic films. People were tired of the tried-and-tested costume dramas that had dominated much of pre- and post-war (and, hence, pre- and post-film noir) filmmaking.

However, given the usual history-repeats-itself model of consumer attitudes and spending trends, we seem to have found the epic path once more.

No film project shows this more clearly than the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy. This December, audiences will witness an epic quest to destroy the evil ring of power and restore freedom to middle-earth.

What most moviegoers don't know, however, is that these films will not just be special effects-laden blockbusters. The two-hour 45-minute running time of the first film is mostly taken up with story.

Yes, you heard me right: the film is about the story.

Epics were often known to have long-winded or even overlong stories something that epic-lovers like me do not mind. I have often watched my friends and family, however, fidget and squirm as we trudged through the immensely long "Lawrence of Arabia" (perhaps the hallmark epic). My eyes were glued to the screen; my friends' and family's eyes were wandering aimlessly.

Are audiences ready to return to epics in this age of filmmaking?

The first installment of the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy this December will be a major indicator of what is to come in Hollywood. Sometime next year, when Martin Scorsese's "Gangs of New York," starring Leonardo DiCaprio, finds a release date, we will see how audiences respond to a long, non-fantasy epic. (By then moviegoers will be inundated with the fantasy epic, after "Harry Potter" and "Lord of the Rings.")

Martin Scorsese thinks that audiences are ready. "Gangs" was a pet project of his from 1977, when he decided the he wanted to make a post-modern film set in 20th century New York with a punk rock score by The Clash. Yet he has held off from making this film for a multitude of reasons until now, and the timing might just be perfect.

Following on the heels of "Gangs'" completion, the long-in-the-works "Alexander the Great" biopic with a brilliant phone book sized screenplay thought of, by many industry insiders, as a modern "Lawrence of Arabia" has finally gotten off the ground. Scorsese will team up again with his "Gangs of New York" star, DiCaprio, for the "Alexander" film, which is guaranteed to be an epic.

"Gangs," though, will be the real testing ground to see whether "Alexander" will fly. I am most certain that it will.

The modern audience is smarter than we give them credit for being.

For every effects-laden "Phantom Menace" there is a beautiful and poetic "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon." Modern audiences are ready to turn away from the cold, cyber-punk mentality that has dominated post-"Matrix" Hollywood, and which served to annoy and desensitize viewers. Modern audiences are ready to do what mass-culture always does: return to a past style or attitude or mentality.

I think audiences are ready to delve into a big story and watch it play out before them in epic fashion, and if not, I know at least one person who will be waiting in line for the release of "Gangs of New York," "Alexander the Great," and future epics.

Editorial Columnist Sameer Ketkar is a junior majoring in filmic writing. He can be reached at dtrojan@usc.edu or (213) 740-5665.

Copyright 2001 by the Daily Trojan. All rights reserved.
This article was published in Vol. 144, No. 43 (Friday, October 26, 2001), on page 4.