Alexander the Great (1963)
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| Alexander the Great | |
|---|---|
| Created by | Robert Pirosh |
| Written by | William Robert Yates Robert Pirosh |
| Screenplay by | Robert Pirosh |
| Story by | Robert Pirosh |
| Directed by | Phil Karlson |
| Starring | William Shatner Adam WestJohn Cassavetes John Doucette Joseph Cotten Simon Oakland |
| Music by | Leonard Rosenman |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language(s) | English |
| Production | |
| Producer(s) | Albert McCleery |
| Cinematography | Lester Shorr |
| Editor(s) | Warren Low |
| Running time | 50 minutes |
| Production company(s) | Selmur Productions |
| Release | |
| Original network | ABC Television Network |
| Original release | 1963 (U.S.) |
| External links | |
| [{{#property:P856}} Website] | |
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Alexander the Great is a 1963 television film, starring William Shatner in the title role, directed by . The teleplay follows Alexander's campaign into Persia and his victory at the 333 B.C. Battle of Issus over an army led by one of the generals under King Darius.
Plot[edit]
Alexander has enjoyed a relatively successful campaign since invading Persia. His army however is weary from ten years of war against the Persians. Despite the combat fatigue of his soldiers, Alexander continues to press his luck, believing himself blessed by the Gods and virtually invincible. His officers are equally as weary as their troops and with their fatigue festers an attitude towards withdrawing from the Greek conquest of Persia. One of Alexander's officers and close friend Cleander (Adam West) is captured by the enemy. While in the attempt to rescue him, Alexander falls victim to a Persian ambushed and is presumed killed. His remaining officers including key figures Karonos (John Cassavetes) and senior commander Antigonus (Joseph Cotten) debate whether to pull the army from their present location. This debate is argued on the fact that the Persian warlord Memnon holds vastly superior numbers as well as a force multiplier due to the topography boxing in the Greek army. Karonos passionately insists on retreating to a more defenseable area but Antigonus is reluctant to do so until Alexander's fate is confirmed. The officers agree to elect an interim commander-in-chief in the meantime. Antigonus is again reluctant to accept the unanimous election due to his age. Instead it is proposed that Karonos should lead. Before this is carried out, Alexander miraculously appears. He celebrates his survival with his lover Ada shortly before he is interrupted by Antigonus. Regarding him as a sort of father figure, Alexander listens to Antigonus' advice to exercise greater caution. Meanwhile, a conspiracy to assassinate Alexander in his tent is thwarted. Alexander shares with Antigonus his prior knowledge of a coup within his camp but does yet know who is involved.
Alexander forms plans to advance on the Persians despite the vocal disappoval of Karonos. Meanwhile, Memnon lounges in his war camp simply awaiting the arrival of Alexander, after learning that the previous attempts to kill him failed. Alexander marches his army, overcoming the hardships of the terrain as well as exhaustion. Certain officers in the army conspire to kill Alexander and attempt to recruit Antigonus who recently had a falling out with Alexander over the king's plans. Antigonus pretends to align with the conspirators led by Karonos but is killed in an ensuing knife fight. Before he dies, Antigonus spells out the name of his killer in his own blood on the sand. Before the major battle against Memnon, a soldier reports having discovered Antigonus' body. Alexander discovers who the lead conspirator has been the whole time and fights Karonos in the midst of the battle, killing him. Memnon's forces are driven into retreat. Antigonus' body is recovered and carried away honorably. Alexander rallies his remaining officers loyal to him, and carries on his march further into Persia.
Cast[edit]
- William Shatner as Alexander
- Adam West as Cleander
- John Cassavetes as Karonos
- John Doucette as Kleitos
- Joseph Cotten as Antigonus
- Robert Fortier as Aristander
- Peter Hansen as Tauron
- Simon Oakland as Attalos
- Ziva Rodann as Ada
Critical reception[edit]
Alexander the Great has an IMDB rating of 5.2/10 from 159 votes.[1] Nine IMDB users pinned mixed reviews, pointing out flaws in the plot, and especially the production value, while also drawing attention to the two most recognizable cast members Shatner and West.
Production[edit]
It was originally filmed as a television series pilot. By 1963, Shatner and West had not yet become the major stars they would become until after their roles in Batman and Star Trek respectively. The pilot was never picked up and was instead presented as a television film. The final battle scenes were stock footage used from the 1959 sword and sandal film The Giant of Marathon.[2]
References[edit]
- ↑ "Alexander the Great". Retrieved 2022-03-04.
- ↑ "Alexander the Great". Retrieved 2022-03-04.
External links[edit]
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