Lawrence of Arabia, Ben-Hur, Braveheart, and Gladiator are some of the most commonly cited examples of action movies that take place within a historical context. If you've seen all of them and are craving something new, check out one of the following underrated historical epics. Some of them are absolutely on par with the greats and just get overlooked. Others aren't in the same league, yet still provide solid entertainment.
What all of these movies have in common is a focus on action. The history they present may or may not be accurate, but each and every one works on the level of a pure action movie. It's not just about having action, either. It's about taking care in presenting it. That encompasses stunts, costumes, sets, cinematography, and performance. Great care has clearly been taken to present audiences with something lively and entertaining.
