Grand Hollywood Epics

From Zanecorpwiki

From the early 50s to the mid 60s, Hollywood was known for grand, epic productions. These films were in part a reaction to the spreading popularity of TV. While both film and TV had moving images, only film could offer such grand spectacles and these spectacles drew in audiences in droves.

These films were also the culmination of film as the inheritor of the grandeur of the stage productions which preceded it. The huge sets, lavish costumes, and vast casts which were the hallmark of these films are very much the continuation and fulfillment of the same trend within the stage. Of course the economics of film could justify far more expense than the stage ever could.

These color films of this time can often be recognized by their deep, saturated colors and high contrast lighting. Though whether this was the intent or the result of the technical context, I don't know.

One constant aspect of these films is the aspect ratio. These films are invariably super wide, a choice meant to draw a hard distinction between the films and the TV of the time. Ben Hur was filmed in a 2.76:1 ratio using 65mm and a special lens. The literal panorama of these films is one of the most striking factors and in no small part adds to the grandeur of the production and subjects.