Product Description

Alexander the Great was one of the most extraordinary people in history. King of Macedonia and one of the greatest military leaders of all time, he conquered much of the known world before he was 30 and was dead by the age of 32. In this color presentation set in 330 B.C., we join Alexander and his mighty army marching through Persia on a mission to conquer the world, but there is trouble brewing. Karonos, one of Alexander's most trusted generals, believes Alexander's campaign is foolhardy. He plans a coup, after which the war-weary soldiers can head home. Alexander the Great is a noteworthy film as a launching pad for several careers including soon-to-be Captain Kirk, William Shatner, as the man who leads his men into battle. There is a pre-Batman, Adam West as Cleander, Alexander's right hand man. The turn-coat Karonos is played by John Cassavetes, who would distinguish himself both as an actor and behind the camera as a director. Also on board is an aging Joseph Cotton who, like Alexander, is victimized by the betrayal of Karonos.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #40632 in DVD
• Released on: 2006-05-08
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Color, DVD, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 90 minutes

Customer Reviews

Wonderful camp
Whether you rate this high or low depends on what you want out of it ... which is why the 3 stars. History? Bah. Not even close. But as a 1960s sword-and-sandals flick? It's a scream. I regularly show it in the class I teach on Alexander when we reach the final lecture, which is about the appropriation of Alexander in latter centuries as symbol and fiction. It's very interesting not for what it tells us about Alexander, but what it tells about American society in the early 1960s. In the West, Alexander is, arguably, the most famous (non-religious) historical figure prior to the 20th Century. He's been used, reused and used again for all sorts of things.

So if you want camp and commentary on US society, that's what you'll find here. History, not so much. :-)

But I will say that Shatner probably played one of the best on-screen Alexanders for both charisma and projection of self-certainty. I really like him better than Richard Burton's earlier portrayal and MUCH better than Colin Farrell's later portrayal. And later, of course, Captain Kirk was really just 'Alexander in Space.'

Alexander the Pretty Darn Good!
For what it is -- an hour-long 1960s TV pilot -- this ain't bad at all! Productions values are okay, and the outdoor locations, though recognizably the American West, are nonetheless spectacular. John Cassavetes and Joseph Cotton turn in fine performances, and Shatner (who never looked better shirtless) shows why he became a worldwide star; he's a more charismatic Alexander than either Richard Burton or Colin Farrell. (Adam West's role is too small to register.) The story is fictional, not historical, but typical of the kinds of yarns that have been woven about Alexander in many lands for many centuries, a mini-melodrama of treachery and wartime intrigue. If only they had gone ahead and made a TV series...but then Shatner would not have made Star Trek, and West would not have played Batman! The bonus featurette, "Hollywood's Epic Films," is essentially a 40-mintue compilation of vintage trailers. All in all, this dvd is well worth the modest price.

Bruce Hodson
Of its kind very watchable but a bit dated in presentation. However, I was glad to see it and found the direction and production of this movie attractive.