NISSEN: Oxford University scholar Robin Lane Fox is author of the closest thing there is to a biography to Alexander [he wrote The Search for Alexander and Alexander the Great: A Biography --John]. He was chief historical consultant on the new film.
FOX: Great pains were taken to make it an epic drama with unusual reference to history.
Unusual is definitely apt. I'm left feeling that Stone made this movie as a testament to the man first, and as entertainment second, or possibly third, to, as a friend put it, his own brilliance as a director; which is not a criticism, by the way. I don't mind being asked to commit a few hours of my life to explore and learn; the key for me is knowing that up front, and the critics certainly prepared me for this challenging viewing.
The only problem in this particular case is that, apparently, despite the qualified advisor, Alexander breaks from what we know of the man's life at times, and I was none the wiser. Hopefully the DVD will include some director commentary on this artistic license. I do plan on watching this one many more times. Again, it was overwhelming this first time through, and I'm sure I missed a lot.
I can only imagine the nightmare of filming those battles. The movie included the most horrific - simulated, I'm sure - violence against animals I've seen in recent memory, and, of course, the people faired no better; think Braveheart (1995), I guess. I really enjoyed the reddening of the perspective after Alexander's (Colin Farrell) near-fatal wounding. It dramatically intensified the violence of the scene for me.
Boy, this post is all over the place. Oh well, I can't end it with no mention of the guy who fell asleep in front of us: it couldn't have been more than an hour in when I heard this incredible half-stifled pig-like snort from the seat in front of me. It was so loud! I looked at my friend and asked, "Was that guy asleep?" I couldn't believe it. "Oh yeah," my friend replied. Completely unconscious! Weird.
