FromAlientoThelma & Louise,Ridley Scotthas experimented with just about every genre. However, he seems to have a fondness for historical movies, so much so that his first-ever full-length feature as a director fell under the category. Period films highly favor Scott because his greatest strength lies in cinematography and such productions are majorly known for their crisp, atmospheric, and highly concentrated visual imagery.
Over the years, Scott’s great work has earned him several accolades, including 10 Primetime Emmy Award nominations and three Academy Awards for Directing. Even so, the filmmaker is known for being inconsistent. One good movie is always followed by a terrible one. His historical movies, therefore, vary highly in quality. We’ve even seen this recently, withNapoleongetting critically panned andGladiator IIreceiving widespread acclaim.
So, which Ridley Scott historical movie is the best?
9’Exodus: Gods and Kings' (2014)
Exodus: Gods and Kings
Exodus: Gods and Kingsis the story of Moses (portrayed by Christian Bale), with a Hollywood spice. Here, the liberator is burning to extract the mewling, oppressed Israelites from their current unfavorable residential conditions and plant them on better lands. But a peaceful negotiation of freedom is out of the question, so the only way is to flee. Will it be possible?
Scott’s Not-so-Creative Take on Biblical Emigration
This hard-hitting take on Egypt’s outmoded laws and machismo culture wasn’t exactly a triumph for Ridley Scott.The film’s flaws are partly tied to the extent to which it deviates from the source material.This is understandable for any other picture, butthe fact that Scott is a vocal atheist didn’t help.Many detractors felt he was irresponsibly toying with a subject that he wasn’t familiar with in the first place. Presumably,sticking to the truth might have just helped Scott earn better reviews.
Still, there are some positives. Bale, delivering one of his finest performances,carries the historical thriller from the first frame to the last. And the action sequences stay in the mind.
8’Robin Hood' (2010)
Robin Hood
Hollywood is packed withmovies about the legendary thief, but Ridley Scott still elected to make another version. HisRobin Hoodstars Russell Crowe as the titular character, who happens upon a dying knight named and promises to return the man’s sword to his father in Nottingham. Once there, he assumes his identity; falls in love with his widow, Marion; and begins a feud with the town’s main lawman and King John’s notorious henchman, Godfrey; a foul-mouthed bro keen on offending.
Scott and Crowe Fail to Replicate the Gladiator Magic
This wildly adulterated story, combining an assortment of fascinating elements and unusual plot shifts for a little over two hours,may frustrate fans of the original Robin Hood lore; but adventure fans will be delighted, laughing at Godfrey’s bawdy antics and Robin’s mischievousness.The world-building takes some time, and in the end, it never amounts to much,but in the end, we get to witness a robust, fresh Brit-based film that we rarely see coming out of the Hollywood machine nowadays.
7’Napoleon' (2023)
There are two intertwining stories inNapoleon.One is the familiar narrative involving the legendary French ruler’s rise and fall. The other, which Scott over-allocates time to, involves the Emperor’s relationship with his wife, Josephine. The two ‘lovebirds’ are anything but admirable. Between them, tempers flare over seemingly minor incidents, and the long-simmering animosity soon gets out of hand.
Napoleon as a Soap Opera
Much was expected of Ridley Scott’sNapoleon. Little was delivered. The filmdoes indeed offer a moving, thought-provoking view of marriage, and powerfully articulates the types of sentiments that are still verboten in the modern world. Sadly, the volatilemoments between the couple feel like unnecessary interruptions to the conquest story everyone came for.
Even so, audiences don’t walk away empty-handed. Even though the film was shot outside-location in England and Malta,it is a tour-de-force picture of state-of-the-art cinematography, creative dialogue, and first-rate acting by Joaquin Phoenix.
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6'1492: Conquest of Paradise' (1992)
1492: Conquest of Paradiseis the story of Christopher Columbus, who nursed an undying passion for dangerous exploration throughout his adult life. The film covers the Italian’s travels to the New World and the effect that his discovery had on indigenous tribes.
The Usual Columbus Story
This is a sumptuous, enthralling epic in the grand tradition of cinematography.Gérard Depardieu as Columbus and Sigourney Weaver as Queen Isabella I (frequently glimpsed in affectionate close-ups) are beautiful to watch,as Scott turns a controversial moment in history into high-seas fun. Brimming with memorable images of the lands and oceans captured by Oscar-nominated lensman Adrian Biddle, this historical spectacle is ideal.
Regrettably,there is nothing new in the story.No iconic scenes. Just the same old retelling of history. Consequently, this becameRidley Scott’s biggest box office bomb.
Stream it on Kanopy or Apple TV+
5’Kingdom of Heaven' (2005)
Kingdom of Heaven
Kingdom of Heavenis a slightly fictionalized portrayal of the events leading to the Third Crusade (an attempt led by France’s King Philip II, England’s King Richard I, and Rome’s Emperor Frederick Barbarossa to re-conquer the Holy Land following Jerusalem’s capture by the Ayyubid sultan Saladin in 1187).The events mainly revolve around the blacksmith, Balian of Ibelin, who joins the course.
Treading Hot Religious Waters
The film generally faces the same problems asGods of Egypt.It toys too much with religion, alienating the fanatics.Some commentators have argued that it demonizes Christians and fuels Islamic fundamentalists.
However,from a filmmaking standpoint. It’s a triumph.Everything, from the sound and visuals, is magnificent. But it would have been much better if Scott hadn’t reused songs from previous films, especially “Vide Cor Meum” fromHannibal.
4’The Duellists' (1977)
The Duellistsis another Ridley Scottmovie about the Napoleonic Warsand this one is much better. Based on a short story in John Conrad’s anthology book,A Set of Six,The Duelistsis basically one long cock-fight between two French officers — the sycophantic Gabriel Feraud (Harvey Keitel) and the aristocrat Armand d’Hubert (Keith Carradine) — who keep trying to outdo each other to the point where they opt for swordfights to determine who is the better man.
Scott Was Off to a Flying Start
Gritty, tense, and superbly acted,Scott’s feature directorial debut tracks two egoistic individuals who’ve unknowingly imprisoned themselves in a no-win scenario. Harvey Keitell’s ruffled and fanatical evocation of the Bonapartist Gabriel Feraud, stands alongsidehis best works. We alsolearn a few things that made Napoleon’s troops so successful.For example, to ensure harmony and proper teamwork,officers from different ranks were prohibited from fighting each other. The two rivals thus only engage in a sword fight when Feraud earns a promotion.
Stream it on Kanopy or Pluto
3’The Last Duel' (2021)
The Last Duel
The Last Duelrides the same route asThe Duelists. Based on the bookThe Last Duel: A True Story of Crime, Scandal, and Trialby Combat in Medieval Franceby Eric Jager, the film tracks two friends and knights, Jean de Carrouges (Matt Damon) and Jacques Le Gris (Adam Driver), who decide to settle their dispute in a fight to the death after the wife of de Carrouges accuses Le Gris of assaulting her.
Believable Rivalry and Perfect Fights
In Ridley Scott’s capable hands,his two talented leads become the focus of a delicate yet credible film rivalry.De Carrouge’s striking charisma and casual aura initially overpower the seemingly harmless Le Gris Rose, but as the movie gradually exposes its depths, the tables start to turn, revealing him to be every bit his buddy’s equal.The cast is everything here, and today, this remains an undervalued picture worth discovering.
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2’Gladiator II' (2024)
Gladiator II
Gladiator 2 is the follow-up to Ridley Scott’s award-winning film Gladiator from 2000. Scott returns to direct the sequel, with Paul Mescal staring as Lucius, alongside Denzel Washington and Joseph Quinn as the villain Emperor Geta. Gladiator 2 had been stuck in development hell for years before a script written by David Scarpa finally moved forward.
Gladiator IIis the sequel we never knew we needed but glad we got. This time, we are introduced to Lucius (Paul Mescal) the son of the first film’s protagonist, Maximus. He becomes a gladiator after the Roman army led by General Acacius raids his home. As he plots revenge, he showcases his skills in the arena as a fighter under the employ of Macrinus (Denzel Washington), a former slave who dreams of overthrowing the emperors Geta and Caracalla.
Better Cast Than the First Movie
Two words: Denzel Washington. When news of his casting was announced, everyone wondered how he would fit into a story like this. Some even dared to question if Black slave owners ever existed in Rome. Well,Washington steals the picture and runs away with it,never to be found. Much credit goes to Paul Mescal and Pedro Pascal too, who make the action sequences look more than just action sequences.
1’Gladiator' (2000)
GladiatorremainsRidley Scott’s greatest effort in this particular categorization, and arguably his greatest film ever. Jealousy triggers the chaos, with Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix) murdering his father and taking over power after learning that his father has his eye on the general, Maximus (Russel Crowe), as his preferred successor. Consequently, Maximus is relegated to gladiator status, but he remains focused on vengeance.
The Biggest Blockbuster of the 2000s
“Are you not entertained?” Maximus famously asks the crowd in the movie. Well, the Romans were entertained, and so were millions of movie lovers across the world. And it’s allthanks to a great script, great performances, and the delivery of what the title promises: wild gladiatorial fights.The film brought in the bucks and the accolades. Nominated for 12 Oscars, it won five, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Crowe. It also made $450 million against a budget of $103 million (via The Numbers).
