The word ‘Epic’ has recently been devalued and just used to mean something that is striking or enjoyable, but the correct meaning of the word indicated narratives in the ‘Epic’ mould – those which surpass the ordinary in scale and reach heroic proportions – this applies to films too. I’m taking a look at some of the truly Epic movies from the early 1980s that showed extraordinary ambition in their story and spectacle.
In a picturesque Sicilian fishing village all is peaceful and serene. Fishermen are out on the boats bringing in the catch of the day. However, they catch more than they bargain for when a secret US spaceship crash-lands just off shore after meteorite struck. Did anybody or anything survive the crash if so what havoc would be unleashed on humanity?
In this ground-breaking film with special-effects by the great Ray Harryhausen, we see inept scientist and military officials run around Italy after something that is perfectly harmless unless provoked.
