il Giardino Romantico

epic - 1. a long poem describing the actions of heroic figures or the past history of a nation 2. a long film, book, etc. portraying heroic actions or covering a long period of time [1]


Before the analysis of the film 'Beowulf', the familiarization of the definition of an epic is essential.  An epic is Greek for 'tale'.  It is a long poem which narrates a character into a hero.  'Beowulf', the epic poem, is considered the first and the oldest of English epics.  Other examples of epics include 'Iliad'(Homer), 'Odyssey' (Homer), 'Divine Comedy' (Dante), 'Faerie Queene' (Spencer), and 'Paradise Lost' (Milton). [2] The construction of any poem involves a tremendous amount of work and an innate word craft of the poet.  Therefore, it is no wonder that these epic poems have survived till today, and have inspired other poets, scholars, and now, filmmakers.


'Beowulf' is not the first of the epics to be adapted into film.  Homer's 'Odyssey' and 'Iliad' have been converted into movies such as 'Helen' or 'Troy'.  However, it is the first time in the history of cinematography that an epic has been adapted into a computer generated animation film.  Although the plot may have deviated from the original epic a little, it does not undermine the film on the whole. 

[Spoiler Warning: this article contains plot/ending.]


Even as an ignorant teenager, I had recognized Elizabeth as one of the best movies in western movie industry.  A decade later, after having learned more about the history of England I would have to reconfirm my initial opinion of the movie.  The way I tend to evaluate these historical/literary movies is whether or not, if I were teaching a related course, I would present this movie as a part of the course.  This would most definitely be shown to a group of history or literature students. 

While I often come to loathe many so-called 'children's' films, there are, surprisingly enough, still some worth passing along to kids and adults as well.  Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was one, The Chronicles of Narnia: the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe another, and now we have yet another - Charlotte's Web.


Many, I would presume, first became acquainted with the humble Wilbur and loyal Charlotte at or even before their teens.  Often, those which we enjoyed the most as youngsters, however memorable, have been packed away in a cellar deep down inside our hearts.  My profession allows me to reopen my own chest of childhood memories and share them with growing minds.

Christianity - one of the major religions of the world, is the pedestal for countless works of art, songs, and poems of western civilization.  From Chaucer to Shakespeare, from Milton to Blake, from old English to modern English, almost every work of the arts conceived in the western world involved the basic teachings, stories, and history of this popular religion.  Today, we continue to witness its impact through bestselling novels and blockbuster films.


Two movies that link very tightly to the traditions and legends of the Christian world are Kingdom of Heaven and King Arthur.  The former is a fictitious story built around true historical happenings in Jerusalem.  The latter is the Hollywood portrayal and interpretation of the almost too popular legend of King Arthur.  Intelligent readers as you all are, may have already surmised that it is Kingdom of Heaven that I see more value in.