how the west was won
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Best Epic Movies of the 1960s
I was a kid during the release of the great epics of the 1950s and 1960s. I still enjoy watching them on occasion and I own most of these which I consider to be the top 10 epic movies of the 1960s. Take a look.The Alamo (1960) John Wayne produced, directed, and starred in this depiction of the famous battle of the Alamo. Sure, it has your typical 1960s "sterility" and cornpone but it's still a good flick. Of course it's not entirely accurate historically but that's not the point of movies now is it?
Spartacus (1960) Kirk Douglas stars as the title character in this historical based story of the failed Greek slave-gladiator uprising in Rome around 73 BCE. More than 6000 of the slaves were crucified along the road leading to Rome and the bodies remained there for years afterward.
El Cid (1961) Charlton Heston (the king of epics) stars in the fact based story of Spain's national hero in the fight against the Moors (Muslims) in the 11th Century. Ed Cid (Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar) conquered the city of Valencia and ruled it for five years until his death in 1099. (The same year that European "crusaders" retook Jerusalem from the Muslims)
The Longest Day (1962) A black and white flick with an all star 60s cast including John Wayne, Henry Fonda, and Richard Burton. It's based on Cornelius Ryan's story of D-Day (June 6, 1944). It's accurate and interesting.
Lawrence of Arabia (1962) In this long epic (originally almost four hours) Peter O'Toole plays TE Lawrence, the English army officer who won fame during the Arab revolt against the Ottoman Turks in World War I. The film won seven academy awards including Best Picture and Best Actor.
How the West was Won (1962) Another all star cast includes John Wayne, George Peppard, Debbie Reynolds, and Jimmy Stewart in this epic of the conquest of the American continent as it follows four generations of an American family from 1840 (or thereabout) through the Civil War and into the late 1880s. Great music, epic sequences, and good entertainment are found in this flick.
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