Only 15% of critics on Rotten Tomatoes rated this film as worth watching. My favourites are:
- Alfonso, a homosexual who only could only maintain his attention for the disappointingly limited homosexual parts of the film. The battle scenes were, to him, ‘gory and incomprehensible’.
- and Dorothy, who, after professing to being uninterested in Ancient Macedonian politics, laments that she had no clue what was happening in the film:
‘…the politics of ancient Macedonia don’t really make for riveting viewing. I didn’t feel particularly emotionally involved in the story. In fact half the time, I didn’t even know what was going on.’
Interbellica @interbellicaFuck it, Battle of Gaugamela (Alexander, 2004) This scene is remarkable because it's perhaps the most accurate depiction of ancient warfare ever produced – and most of it can be followed along from ancient sources: 0:05 - Alexander's speech is instead delivered to his officers. He says that they do not require inspiration, but implores them to do their duty... ‘...for they were about to fight, not, as before, for Syria or Phoenicia or Egypt, but this time the issue at stake was the sovereignty of the whole Asian continent.’ – Arrian, p.162 1:15 – Alexander and his Companion Cavalry drift right. He wants to draw the elite Persian cavalry towards him, creating a gap in their centre. Darius orders his cavalry to envelop Alexander's cavalry, so as to stop them from moving further to the Persian left. 2:36 – Since Alexander is riding towards rough terrain – where Darius' chariots would be unable to operate – Darius launches his chariots early. 3:49 – Agrianian javelinmen are shown running beside Alexander's Companion Cavalry. They will screen his flanks when required. – Arrian, p.168 4:12 – ‘Some of the vehicles (chariots) succeeded in passing through, but to no purpose, for the Macedonians had orders... to break formation and let them through deliberately... Such as got through were, however, subsequently dealt with by the Royal Guard and the army grooms.’ – Arrian, p.168 5:43 – ‘...an order was sent (by Alexander) to Aretes (not Cassander) to attack the Persian cavalry which was trying to outflank and surround the Macedonian right... ...the movements of the Persian cavalry... left a gap in the Persian front – and this was Alexander's opportunity...’ – Arrian, p.168-69 7:40 – Parmenion, commanding the Macedonian left, is struggling to hold his ground. He dispatches a messenger to notify Alexander. 10:03 – ‘He (Alexander) promptly made for the gap, and, with his Companions... drove in his wedge and raising the battle-cry pressed forward... for the point where Darius stood.’ – Arrian, p.169 11:22 – ‘A close struggle ensued, but it was soon over; for when the Macedonian horse, with Alexander himself at the head of them, vigorously pressed the assault...’ 12:10 – ‘...Darius, who had been on edge since the battle began and saw nothing but terrors all around him, was the first to turn tail and ride for safety.’ – Arrian, p.169 12:29 – Alexander receives the report that the Macedonian left flank is breaking. The Persians on the right flank are unaware Darius has fled, and are pressing relentlessly. ‘...some of the Indian and Persian cavalry burst through the gap and penetrated right to the rear where the Macedonian pack-animals were.’ Alexander has to abandon his pursuit of Darius to rescue Parmenion's heavy infantry. – Arrian, p.169
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