AFI's Top Ten Epic

American Film Institute

Epic

Top Ten Epic Movies Presented by AFI

#1 Lawrence of Arabia

In 1916 British Intelligence supports the Arab rebellion against the Turkish-German alliance.

#2 Ben-Hur

During the reign of the emperor Tiberius, the Roman officer Messala arrives in Jerusalem as the new Tribune, head of the Roman garrison.

#3 Schindler's List

Oskar Schindler is a German businessman in Poland who sees an opportunity to make money from the Nazis' rise to power.

#4 Gone with the Wind

In 1861, Scarlett O'Hara, the headstrong sixteen-year-old daughter of wealthy Georgia plantation-owner Gerald O'Hara, is sick of hearing talk about going to war with the North.

#5 Spartacus

During the last century of the Roman Republic's rule, thousands are born enslaved to either the privileged class known as patricians or the wealthiest of the commoners, known as plebeians.

#6 Titanic

After winning a trip on the RMS Titanic during a dockside card game, American Jack Dawson spots the society girl Rose DeWitt Bukater who is on her way to Philadelphia to marry her rich snob fiance Cal Hockley.

#7 All Quiet on the Western Front

Paul Bäumer, a young German schoolboy, along with his friends, is inspired by his schoolmaster to "save the Fatherland" and joins the Kaiser's forces.

#8 Saving Private Ryan

James Ryan, who has parachuted into France during the Allied invasion of Europe, has just lost three brothers in combat.

#9 Reds

Political drama about the stormy romantic partnership of journalist-revolutionary Jack Reed, author of "Ten Days That Shook the World," and writer-artist Louise Bryant, set against the backdrop of World War I and the Russian Revolution.

#10 The Ten Commandments

During the rule of Rameses I in Ancient Egypt, the pharaoh is informed that the Hebrew slaves believe that a recently seen star portends the arrival of a deliverer who will free them.