Best tv shows like The Antagonists
Last updated March 2024
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Plot Summary:
After the destruction of the Second Temple, 900 Jewish zealots hold out against a 5000 man Roman legion on the mountaintop fortress of Masada.
IMDB Rating: 7.8
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Action, Drama, History
Country: USA
Duration: 394 min
Plot tags: captivating, exciting, tense, serious, biblical, political thriller, mythical, realistic, epic
Best tv shows and movies like The Antagonists (1981):
Similar in 83%
Solomon (1997)
Plot Summary:
David, now an old man, is still king of Israel. Among his sons, the ambitious Adonijah and the clever Solomon. The two young men are fierce rivals, since both are prospective heirs to the throne and only one can be successful.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Adventure, Biography, Drama, History
Country: Italy, France, Germany, Czech Republic, Spain, USA, Netherlands, UK
Duration: 180 min
Plot tags: biblical, sincere, atmospheric, epic, serious, realistic
Similar in 76%
David (1997)
Plot Summary:
The tribes of Israel need to defeat the superior might of the Philistines: "Now appoint a king to lead us, such as all the other nations have." (I Samuel, 8:5). And so the prophet Samuel gives the Hebrews their first king, Saul. Saul, however, has incessant doubts about his mission. The influential prophet Samuel turns away from Saul in order to select a new king according to God's will: David. He is still a young boy, tending sheep in the fields, when, secretly Samuel oints him as the next king of the Israelites.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Adventure, Biography, Drama, History
Country: Italy, Germany, USA
Duration: 190 min
Plot tags: biblical, christian film, exciting, atmospheric, epic, serious, captivating, realistic
Similar in 78%
The Dovekeepers (2015)
Plot Summary:
This four-hour miniseries is based on Alice Hoffman’s acclaimed historical novel about four extraordinary women whose lives intersect in a fight for survival at the siege of Masada.
IMDB Rating: 5.4
IMDB Votes: 913
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: serious, emotional, realistic, biblical, touching, period piece, historical drama, captivating, stylized, soap opera
Similar in 86%
St. Paul (2000)
Plot Summary:
Director Roger Young (JOSEPH AND JESUS) presents this dramatic television miniseries that recounts the life of Paul (Johannes Brandrup) the Apostle of Jesus Christ. Originally known as Paul of Tarsus, Paul tortured and persecuted Christians until he experienced a vision of Jesus that forever changed his life. After converting to Christianity, Paul suffered persecution and imprisonment, but never stopped trying to spread the teachings of Christ. Notably, this program was shot on location in the Moroccan desert.
IMDB Rating: 6.4
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Adventure, Drama
Country: Italy, Germany, France, USA, Czech Republic, Netherlands, UK
Duration: 170 min
Plot tags: biblical, realistic, serious, exciting, tense, captivating, suspenseful, christian film, spiritual
Similar in 85%
Abraham (1993)
Plot Summary:
This engrossing dramatization of the life of Abraham, the most tested servant of God and the father of Judaism, spans from the patriarch's quest for the Promised Land to the sacrifice of his son, Isaac.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Adventure, Biography, Drama, History
Country: Germany, Italy, USA, Czech Republic, France
Duration: 175 min
Plot tags: biblical, christian film, epic, serious, psychological, captivating, disturbing, exciting
Similar in 77%
Jesus of Nazareth (1977)
Plot Summary:
Passion, beauty, and brilliant storytelling are all on display in this six-hour-plus epic from Italian director Franco Zeffirelli. Robert Powell is superb in the title role, and with the overwhelming success of this TV movie throughout the world, has perhaps become what Jesus looks like in many people's minds. The story begins with the arrangements of the wedding between Joseph and Mary, and chronicles the nativity, the encounter with John the Baptist (a ferocious Michael York) and everything up to the crucifixion and resurrection.
IMDB Rating: 8.5
IMDB Votes: 24000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History
Country: UK, Italy
Duration: 382 min
Plot tags: biblical, epic, christian film, serious, atmospheric, inspirational, fairy tale, art house, period piece, costume drama
Similar in 76%
Decline of an Empire (2014)
Plot Summary:
The life of Katherine of Alexandria. Constantine joins the Roman army to find his missing childhood friend. Once alerted to his friend's whereabouts, he prepares for an all out war between the East and the West. Contains the last film role of Peter O'Toole, who died before the film was released.
IMDB Rating: 3.3
IMDB Votes: 484
Genere: Biography, Drama, History, War
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 110 min
Plot tags: serious, realistic, disturbing, suspenseful, weird
Similar in 81%
Peter and Paul (1981)
Plot Summary:
Peter and Paul assume leadership of the Church as they struggle against violent opposition to the teachings of Christ and their own personal conflicts.
IMDB Rating: 7.6
IMDB Votes: 654
Genere: Biography, Drama, History
Country: USA
Duration: 198 min
Plot tags: biblical, christian film, atmospheric, epic, serious, captivating, realistic, contemplative, spiritual, sexy
Similar in 85%
Barabbas (1961)
Plot Summary:
Epic account of the thief Barabbas, who was spared crucifixion when Pilate manipulated the crowd into pardoning him, rather than Jesus. Struggling with his spirituality, Barabbas goes through many ordeals leading him to the gladiatorial arena, where he tries to win his freedom and confront his inner demons, ultimately becoming a follower of the man who was crucified in his place.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 7000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History
Country: Italy, USA
Duration: 137 min
Plot tags: biblical, epic, intense, exciting, serious, captivating, christian film, retro, technicolor, realistic
Similar in 76%
Establishment: Osman (2019)
Plot Summary:
The life of Osman Bey, the son of Ertugrul Gazi and the founder of the Ottoman Empire.
IMDB Rating: 7.6
IMDB Votes: 11000
Genere: Action, Adventure, Drama, History, War
Country: Turkey
Duration: 120 min
Plot tags: stylized, serious, captivating, realistic, emotional, suspense, islamic
Similar in 81%
Hispania, The Legend (2010)
Plot Summary:
Viriato is a Hispanic shepherd who enjoys a simple life until the arrival of the Roman troops of the praetor Galba. It will changes his destiny. His village is attacked and massacred. Viriato, dam of hate, swears not to rest until revenge. "Hispania, the legend" is a TV series that chronicles the extraordinary journey of a humble man become a warrior to defend his people. It is the story of a group of warriors, young and brave, determined to give everything for freedom.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 626
Genere: Drama, History
Country: Spain
Duration:
Plot tags: epic, emotional, captivating, exciting, tense, erotic, sensual, serious, realistic, gloomy
Similar in 90%
Julius Caesar (2002)
Plot Summary:
Twenty year-old Julius Caesar flees Rome for his life during the reign of Sulla but through skill and ambition rises four decades later to become Rome's supreme dictator.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History, War
Country: Netherlands, Italy, Germany, USA
Duration: 240 min
Plot tags: epic, serious, captivating, stylized, historical drama, realistic
Similar in 81%
The Last Days of Pompeii (1984)
Plot Summary:
This costume series portrays aspects of life in Pompeii, a coastal luxury resort near Naples catering for the very rich of imperial Rome, mainly before but culminating in the eruption of the Vesuvian volcano, which wipes it from the face of the earth. The main characters include Diomed, a common upstart merchant whose self-made riches from trade allow him to consider running for political office against sitting city magistrate Quintus and an impoverished aristocratic marriage for his daughter Julia; the cultivated Greek Glaucus; the gladiator Lydon; the noble-born Antonius and his sister Ione, the evil Isis-priest Arbaces who is after (their) money and power; the persecution-fearing Christian slaves Petrus, his true love Chloe and their secret leader Olinthus.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 608
Genere: Action, Drama, History, Romance
Country: Italy, UK, USA
Duration: 310 min
Plot tags: serious, captivating, realistic
Similar in 82%
Boudica (2003)
Plot Summary:
The Celtic queen who shook the Roman Empire. Boudica is one of history’s first and fiercest women warriors. Sickened by ceaseless war, the king of the Iceni accepts a treaty with the Romans in exchange for his tribe’s continued independence. But oppressively high taxes impoverish the tribe and soon the Romans want something more — slaves. Refusing to submit, the Romans, led by the greedy and psychotic Emperor Nero, move to crush the Iceni and control their lands. Drawing on the strength of her warriors, mystical druidic powers, and her own pain, Boudica unites the historically fractious tribes of Briton to unleash a stunning onslaught on the Roman colonial camps. The ferocity of Boudica’s attacks will shake the foundations of the Roman empire and make her a legend.
IMDB Rating: 5.3
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Action, Drama, History, War
Country: UK, Romania
Duration: 99 min
Plot tags: exciting, captivating, epic, realistic, rough, costume drama, serious, period drama
Similar in 86%
Hannibal: Rome's Worst Nightmare (2006)
Plot Summary:
It is 200 years before the birth of Christ and Rome is the new superpower of the ancient world. She believes she is invincible - but one man is destined to change that. He is a man bound by oath to avenge the wrongs inflicted on his home and, in pursuit of revenge, he will stop at nothing. Hannibal explores the man behind the myth, revealing what drove the 26-year-old to mastermind one of the most audacious military moves in history. With 40,000 soldiers and 37 elephants, he marched 1,500 miles to challenge his enemies on their own soil. It was an act so daring that few people believed it possible.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Action, Biography, Drama, History, War
Country: UK
Duration: 89 min
Plot tags: exciting, serious, captivating, realistic, inspirational, historical drama, epic
Similar in 79%
Julius Caesar (1970)
Plot Summary:
All star cast heads up this 1970 remake of the William Shakespeare classic tale of the betrayal of the the Roman senate against their emperor, the plotting and scheming that led up to the assassination of the title charecter, and all of Romes' fickleness towards the events.
IMDB Rating: 6.1
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama, History, War
Country: UK
Duration: 117 min
Plot tags: epic, cult classic, tense, serious, realistic, suspenseful, psychotronic, independent film
Similar in 87%
The Fall of the Roman Empire (1964)
Plot Summary:
Drawn from the same events that later inspired Gladiator, the film charts the power-hungry greed and father-son betrayal that led to Rome's collapse at the bloody hands of the Barbarians.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 10000
Genere: Drama, History, War
Country: USA
Duration: 188 min
Plot tags: epic, captivating, exciting, serious, stylized, retro, breathtaking, spiritual, visually appealing, technicolor
Similar in 80%
Barbarians Rising (2016)
Plot Summary:
Told from the perspective of the rebel leaders, the series chronicles a wave of rebellions against absolute power by those the Roman Empire called “barbarians” – tribes they viewed as beyond the fringe of civilization that lived a brutish and violent existence. But these also were men and women who launched epic struggles that shaped the world to come with a centuries-long fight to defeat the sprawling empire.
IMDB Rating: 7.7
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Documentary, Action, Drama, History
Country: USA
Duration: 120 min
Plot tags: serious, captivating, semi documentary
Similar in 81%
Cleopatra (1999)
Plot Summary:
Cleopatra, the famed Egyptian Queen born in 69 B.C., is shown to have been brought by Roman ruler Julius Caesar at age 18. Caesar becomes sexually obsessed by the 18 year old queen, beds her, and eventually has a son by her. However, his Roman followers and his wife are not pleased by the union. In fact, as Caesar has only a daughter by his wife, he had picked Octavian as his successor. The out-of-wedlock son of Cleopatra is seen to be a threat to his future leadership. Thus Brutus and other Roman legislators plot the assassination of Caesar. Caesar's loyal general, Marc Antony, and Octavian then divide up the Roman empire. Antony takes Egypt and soon takes up the affair with Cleopatra. However, Octavian soon launches an attack on Antony and ultimately defeats and mortally wounds him. Rather than permitting herself to be humiliated by Octavian, Cleopatra sends her son away to India and she commits suicide by permitting the deadly asp to bite her.
IMDB Rating: 6.4
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History, Romance
Country: Germany, USA
Duration: 177 min
Plot tags: historical drama, fairy tale, costume drama, epic, serious, captivating, stylized, period drama
Similar in 78%
Ben Hur (2010)
Plot Summary:
About the struggle between the Roman Empire and its rebellious conquest Judaea, and two best friends caught in a terrible moment in history.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Action, Adventure, Drama, History
Country: UK, Germany, Spain, Canada, USA
Duration: 180 min
Plot tags: exciting, rough, epic, captivating, historical drama, bleak, serious, realistic, suspenseful
Similar in 80%
Empire (2005)
Plot Summary:
As Conqueror Julius Caesar is drawing his last breath, he swears Tyrannus—Rome's finest warrior—to an oath to protect his successor, Octavius, his 18-year-old nephew. Tyrannus and Octavius are forced into exile to protect the young man from those who want to sever Caesar's bloodline once and for all.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Action, Drama, History
Country: USA
Duration: 360 min
Plot tags: epic, realistic, exciting, serious, historical drama
Similar in 76%
I, Claudius (1976)
Plot Summary:
Tracing the lives of several Roman emperors, this is an epic of ruthless ambition, shocking debauchery and murderous intrigue set in one of history's most fascinating eras. Bearing witness to the saga is Claudius, whose stutter and limp have marked him a fool - yet whom prophecies have foretold will one day rule Rome.
IMDB Rating: 8.8
IMDB Votes: 19000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History
Country: UK
Duration: 669 min
Plot tags: costume drama, political thriller, historical drama, clever, epic, spiritual, political, controversial, mind blowing, dark comedy
Similar in 86%
Britannia (2017)
Plot Summary:
An epic drama set in 43AD as the Roman Imperial Army – determined and terrified in equal measure - returns to crush the Celtic heart of Britannia - a mysterious land ruled by warrior women and powerful druids who can channel the powerful forces of the underworld. Or so they say.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 17000
Genere: Action, Drama, Fantasy, History
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 60 min
Plot tags: sexy, suspenseful, disturbing, exciting, captivating, suspense, funny, spiritual, mysterious, period piece
Similar in 86%
Sons of Liberty (2015)
Plot Summary:
The story of a group of very different men fighting in the American Colonies for freedom, and how they will shape the future for the United States of America.
IMDB Rating: 7.4
IMDB Votes: 5000
Genere: Drama, History
Country: USA
Duration: 270 min
Plot tags: captivating, historical drama, exciting, serious, realistic, tense, suspenseful, political, period drama
Similar in 81%
The Last Kingdom (2015)
Plot Summary:
A show of heroic deeds and epic battles with a thematic depth that embraces politics, religion, warfare, courage, love, loyalty and our universal search for identity. Combining real historical figures and events with fictional characters, it is the story of how a people combined their strength under one of the most iconic kings of history in order to reclaim their land for themselves and build a place they call home.
IMDB Rating: 8.5
IMDB Votes: 161000
Genere: Action, Drama, History
Country: UK
Duration: 60 min
Plot tags: exciting, serious, captivating, epic, stylized, realistic, costume drama, historical drama, tense, brutal
Similar in 82%
Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
Plot Summary:
The story of British officer T.E. Lawrence's mission to aid the Arab tribes in their revolt against the Ottoman Empire during the First World War. Lawrence becomes a flamboyant, messianic figure in the cause of Arab unity but his psychological instability threatens to undermine his achievements.
IMDB Rating: 8.3
IMDB Votes: 309000
Genere: Adventure, Biography, Drama, War
Country: UK
Duration: 218 min
Plot tags: epic, captivating, breathtaking, visually appealing, visually stunning, scenic, factual, exciting, realistic, stylized
Similar in 84%
Attila (2001)
Plot Summary:
A romanced story of Attila the Hun, since his childhood, when he lost his parents until his death. Attila is disclosed as a great leader, strategist and lover and the movie shows his respect to the great Roman strategist Flavius Aetius, his loves and passions, the gossips, intrigues and betrayals in Rome, all of these feelings evolved by magic and mysticism.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 11000
Genere: Action, Adventure, Biography, Drama, History, Romance, War
Country: USA, Lithuania
Duration: 177 min
Plot tags: exciting, captivating, touching, epic, inspirational, historical drama, serious, realistic
Similar in 84%
Spartacus: Gods of the Arena (2011)
Plot Summary:
Before Spartacus struck down his first opponent in the arena, there were many gladiators who passed through the gates onto the sand.'Spartacus: Gods of the Arena' tells the story of the original Champion of the House of Batiatus: Gannicus in a more ruthless time before Spartacus' arrival where honor was just finding its way into the arena.
IMDB Rating: 8.5
IMDB Votes: 144000
Genere: Action, Adventure, Biography, Drama, History, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 331 min
Plot tags: exciting, epic, serious, realistic, stylized, rough, suspense, factual, sexy, tense
Similar in 79%
Spartacus (2004)
Plot Summary:
Sentenced to spend out the rest of his adult life laboring in the harsh deserts of Egypt, the Thracian slave Spartacus gets a new lease on life when he is purchased by the obese owner of a Roman gladiator school. Moved by the defiance of an Ethiopian warrior, Draba, Spartacus leads a slave uprising which threatens Rome's status quo. As Spartacus gains sympathy within the Roman Senate, he also makes a powerful enemy in form of Marcus Lucinius Crassus, who makes it a matter of personal honor to crush the rebellion.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 6000
Genere: Action, Drama, History
Country: USA
Duration: 174 min
Plot tags: epic, serious, atmospheric, tense, uplifting, realistic, suspenseful, stylized, emotional, rough
Similar in 78%
Barbarians (2020)
Plot Summary:
Three people's fates are interwoven in the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest in 9 A.D., during which Germanic warriors halt the spread of the Roman Empire.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 30000
Genere: Action, Adventure, Drama
Country: Germany
Duration: 280 min
Plot tags: heroic, exciting, atmospheric, rough, breathtaking, epic, serious, captivating, realistic, stylized