Although contemporary epic films are full of bravado and male bravery, they are also full of men who, for whatever reason, fail to quite live up to the expectations that we usually have of men in our culture. From the extravagant and exotic excess of Xerxes to the incestuous and perverted desire of Commodus, contemporary epic films seem determined to showcase the failure of particular types of masculinity.
Xerxes from “300”
Certainly one of the best examples of failed masculinity in the epic cinema is the Persian emperor Xerxes, who sets out with his vast horde to conquer Greece and overwhelm the Spartan force sent to oppose him. Although he towers above the Spartans, he is still much less of a man than they are, as we can see by both his use of makeup and the excessive jewelry that drapes nearly his entire body. Of course, the Spartans ultimately have the last laugh, as he is wounded in the face (and presumably scarred) by the Spartan King Leonidas right before his death. Clearly some types of masculinity, especially the failed kind, need to be punished.
Commodus from “Gladiator”
Xerxes’ depravities, however, pale in comparison to the emperor Commodus, who not only murders his father in cold blood but also proceeds to seek an incestuous relationship with his sister Lucilla. These unfortunate character traits, along with his whininess, set him apart from the much more taciturn, more “manly” hero Maximus, and so it should come as no surprise that the hero turned gladiator ultimately kills the emperor in the arena. Clearly, even Roman emperors can be bad, failed men.
Paris from “Troy”
Finally, we come to this young man, who pales in comparison to his brother Hector, both in terms of brawn and in bravery on the battlefield. While Hector is willing to die to protect the city of Troy, Paris can barely even muster the bravery to fight, despite the fact that it was his abduction of Helen that started the war to begin with. Clearly, if you are willing to abduct a woman, the movie implies, then you better be able to fight to keep her and to protect your city.
Obviously, the epic film remains quite invested in making sure that its male heroes triumph over not just adversity and the elements but also against other men, especially those who fail to meet the stringent requirements of appropriate masculinity. Clearly, it takes a lot to be a “real man,” and these films make much out of the fact.