What netflix movies for ancient history?

[claire up north]

I was reading a bunch of posts today and noticed that many people mentioned watching some netflix movies as part of history. We are focusing on ancient history next year. Any recommendations? :lurk5:

Thanks!!

[Chris in VA]

Depends on the ages of your child, but here are some suggestions:

Ben Hur
Quo Vadis
Gladiator (rated R--I'm sure there's better for that stage, but fwiw)
The Passion of the Christ (again, R)

I added in a few documentaries, but someone else will have to suggest them, as I simply can't remember! lol

[kalanamak]

If you don't mind a little cheesy, Jason and the Argonauts. nt

[Chris in VA]

Oh, dd7 watched this earlier this year--loved it!
And boy, it WAS cheesy! lol

[allearia]

We just watched Jason and the Argonauts too! Although my 6 year old preferred the 7th Voyage of Sinbad and watched it many times.

[Rhesa]

This is helpful! We just went through the Greeks and I'm sure my son would get a kick out of Jason and the Argonauts. I don't know about the Sinbad one. I'll have to go check it out...

Off to update the Netflix queue....:auto:

[Cadam]

We have enjoyed "decisive battle of the ancient world"

[nestof3]

We have enjoyed "decisive battle of the ancient world"


My son really liked that as well. So many newer ancient history films have come out, but there is unfortunately too much objectionable material for us to watch.

[Jenny in Atl]

What are your children's ages? Netflix has a ton of great historical movies; many however are fairly mature.

Here is a list many have used to find titles.

http://www.vernonjohns.org/snuffy1186/movies.html

[MelissaMinNC]

"Joseph, King of Dreams" and "Prince of Egypt"

They're both animated, but they were good. We watched them only after covering the material from our Bible reading, etc. Dh and I did also watch a cool documentary about the pyramids.

(We got all these from Netflix.)

:)
Melissa

[dangermom]

The Engineering an Empire series was great.

[nestof3]

The Engineering an Empire series was great.


My son liked this one as well.

[Beth in SW WA]

We have enjoyed "decisive battle of the ancient world"

Yes, Excellent series!!

We also received from Netflix:

Engineering an Empire series (Egypt, Rome, etc)

We watched 300 & Gladiator w/ lots of fast-forwards due to content. We paused often for me to give the history lessons (which my kids actually enjoyed).

[ShelzNH]

We liked the Drive - Thru History series. There is one for Rome and one for Greece

[elegantlion]

We liked the Drive - Thru History series. There is one for Rome and one for Greece

We like these as well.

[Lori D.]

ANCIENT EGYPT
- The Ten Commandments (1956) -- with Charleton Heston
- Pyramid (1988) -- David MacCauley documentary with animated backstory based on his book of how they built the pyramids
- NOVA episode: Pyramids, the Inside Story
- NOVA episode: Treasures of the Sunken City (lighthouse at Alexandria)
- NOVA episode: Secrets of Lost Empires: This Old Pyramid
- NOVA episode: Secrets of Lost Empires: The Pharoh's Obelisk


ANCIENT GREECE
- The Odyssey (1997 made for TV movie with Armand Assante) -- some mild suggestion of sex, so preview first
- Jason and the Argonauts (1963 film with Ray Harryhausen special effects)
- NOVA episode: Secrets of Lost Empires: The Parthenon


ANCIENT ROME
- Spartacus (1960 film with Kirk Douglas) -- for age 10+ -- PREVIEW for young children
- Quo Vadis (1951 film with Peter Ustinov)
- Roman City -- David MacCauley documentary with animated backstory based on his book of how they built a Roman City in Celtic Britian
- NOVA episode: Secrets of Lost Empires: Roman Bath
- NOVA episode: Deadly Shadow of Vesuvius
- NOVA episode: Lost Roman Treasure
- NOVA episode: The Mummy Who Would Be King


ANCIENT PALESTINE
- Ben Hur (1959 film with Charleston Heston)
- The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965 film with Max Von Sydow)
- The Gospel of John (the entire Bible book of John enacted; we found this to be unexpectedly moving in its simplicity)
- NOVA episode: Ancient Refuge in the Holy Land

I haven't personally seen it, but I heard that The Nativity (2005 film) was fairly good, focusing on Mary and Joseph and birth of Jesus in ancient Palestine.