epic

[emailer]

what does the word epic mean with regards to a film?

[sarah123]

Long.

[sft42]

n.

1/An extended narrative poem in elevated or dignified language, celebrating the feats of a legendary or traditional hero.

2/A literary or dramatic composition that resembles an extended narrative poem celebrating heroic feats.

3/A series of events considered appropriate to an epic: the epic of the Old West.

adj.

1/Of, constituting, having to do with, or suggestive of a literary epic: an epic poem.

2/Surpassing the usual or ordinary, particularly in scope or size: 'A vast musical panorama... it requires an epic musical understanding to do it justice' (Tim Page).

3/Heroic and impressive in quality: 'Here in the courtroom... there was more of that epic atmosphere, the extra amperage of a special moment' (Scott Turow).

[emailer]

is there any cut off point that makes a film an epic/not an epic?

[sylvday]

Length comes into it. Given that the average movie is about 100 mins, and many non-epics are about 2 hrs, a true epic would probably extend to at least 2� hours. But of course length is not all. A veritable epic should deal with big themes, extensive vistas, and the timescale should be years, possibly decades. There should also be big set-pieces, involving thousands of characters. The Bible, Greek legends, big wars and the opening up of the American West are the source of many movie epics. Classic epics include Gone with the Wind, Ben Hur, El Cid and 2001. More recent examples are Lord of the Rings, Cold Mountain and The Last Samurai.

[treaclefight]

overbudget

[nomad2]

To be repeated regularly at Easter and Christmas for years to come!!!

[jjf2003]

(a) It tells a historical story. (b) It has a cast of thousands.