Gerard Butler in “300″
During the 2012 fall semester, students at the University of Buffalo will be able to participate in a course of Greek and Roman history as it pertains to film. According to the institution, over 600 films have taken place in ancient Greece or Rome since 1914, with reference to history and literature.
“The Ancient World in Movies” will show 13 films throughout the semester. Included in the screening list of Greek films is: “Troy,” Homer’s epic drama that stars Brad Pitt and Eric Bana; 1954′s “Ulysses,” starring Kirk Douglas and Anthony Quinn; the 1977 horror “Iphigenia,” with Irene Papas; “O Brother Where Art Thou?,” featuring George Clooney; the Spartan epic “300″; Black Orpheus and Chinatown.
The Romans in film part of the class will showcase: “Cabiria” (1914), a silent melodrama set during the Punic Wars (featuring the child-eating god Moloch); “Spartacus” (1960); “Gladiator,” with Russell Crowe; “Quo Vadis” (1951) and “Ben Hur” (1959).
Donald McGuire, PhD will teach the course and says, ”I guarantee that students will come away with a great deal of knowledge of the real and ‘reel’ ancient Greece and Rome, and the horror, splendor and weirdness that continues to gallop from the ancient rocks of the Mediterranean shores all the way to the Hollywood hills.”
The University will also offer weekly screenings for free and open to the public on Sundays at 7pm from September 2 to December 2, in Room 330 of the Student Union, UB North Campus.
