With “Australia,” Baz Luhrmann tried to make an old fashioned epic movie. What is an epic? To me it is a human drama set against a large landscape and dramatic circumstances. Dramatic does not always mean there can’t be comedy involved.

The films that fall under my 10 Favorite Epics meet those criteria. Let us see if you agree or disagree with my list

10) “Saving Private Ryan” (1998)

The opening segment is the most dramatic, graphic and gut-wrenching battle scene ever put on film, in this Steven Speilberg classic. The story is a simple one: A squad of soldiers are sent on a quest to find the lone surviving son of a GI family. Tom Hanks once again is the heart and soul of the movie and is picture perfect.

9) “The Great Race” (1965)

Who said epics have to always be serious? Blake Edwards directs the ideal cast in this around-the-world farce. Jack Lemmon as Professor Fate is hysterical as the bad guy, along with his sidekick, Max, played by Peter Falk. Tony Curtis is the ideal hero as The Great Leslie, and Natalie Wood has never been more beautiful or funny. The greatest pie fight and sword fight ever in a movie.

8) “Titanic” (1997)

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High adventure, star-crossed lovers and great special effects make this movie a must see. Yes, it’s hokey, but it is a great movie experience. Just make sure you leave before the closing credits and Celine Dion.

7) “The English Patient” (1996)

What greater human drama than a love that can never be? Brilliantly directed by Anthony Minghella, Ralph Fiennes and Kristin Scott Thomas are great as the doomed lovers. But Juliette Binoche steals the show as the loyal army nurse caring for the dying patient. Binoche won one of the nine Oscars the film was awarded.

6) “How The West Was Won” (1962)

It took three directors — Henry Hathaway, John Ford and George Marshall — to make this wide ranging epic about the westward movement across America. The movie features a Who’s Who of stars and was filmed in the Cinerama format. The best segments are the three directed by Hathaway (The Rivers, The Plains and The Outlaws). All three include spectacular action sequences.

5) “Forrest Gump” (1994)

To me, this is the most personal and intimate of all epic stories as we follow a simple-minded, but very successful Forrest Gump, played by Tom Hanks in an award winning performance. The Oscar-winning special effects are presented very convincingly by director Robert Zemeckis. Gary Sinise is brilliant as Lieutenant Dan, and Robin Wright is heartbreaking as Gump’s one and only love, Jenny.

4) “Ben Hur” (1959)

The Chariot Race. Need I say more? Charlton Heston is even more heroic then when he played Moses in “The Ten Commandments,” in this big-screen spectacular. As impressive as this movie is on television, imagine what it was like in a movie theater. The movie, directed by William Wyler, won a record 11 Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

3) “Little Big Man” (1970)

Dustin Hoffman is brilliant as 112-year-old Jack Crabbe in this great revisionist Western directed by Arthur Penn. Hoffman ages from a teenager to the old man narrating his spectacular life and adventures in his days in the West, from Indian life to gunslinger to Little Big Horn. Chief Dan George is a hoot as Crabbe’s Indian mentor, Old Lodge Skins.

2) “Lawrence of Arabia” (1962)

This movie is the reason the word “spectacular” is in the English language. The Sahara Desert is the backdrop for this amazing story. Peter O’Toole has never been better, as T.E. Lawrence, an English aristocrat caught up in Arab fighting during World War I in Africa. David Lean directs this epic. The action scenes are wonderful, especially the raid on a moving train in the middle of the desert. Omar Sharif, Alec Guiness and Anthony Quinn all are outstanding.

1) “Gone With The Wind” (1939)

Scarlett O’Hara and Rhett Butler — the greatest doomed love story of all time, set in the South during and after the Civil War. One of the best movies ever. Vivian Leigh, Clark Gable, Leslie Howard and Olivia De Havilland are all terrific in probably their best roles ever. Great story, great action and great acting, all under amazing circumstances. The burning of Atlanta is still one of the better action scenes ever.

I know I left out the “Lord Of The Rings” trilogy, which probably would have made the list if it had been one thrilling three-hour movie, instead of three boring ones. Did I miss any others? Let us know at bmemberto@santamariatimes.com.

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Here are the responses from last week’s list of favorite Christmas movies. Thanks for the responses and keep them coming.

Steve Farrell agreed with most of my list, but came up with a different selection.

“Good list, especially your top three. The one you missed for me is “The Bishop’s Wife” with Cary Grant. I’d put that as number four.”

Brandi simply says, “Scrooged, Bill Murray.”

And Michelle from Atascadero said, “Well, Brad I agree with you on some ... my all time favorite Christmas Vacation, and of course Home Alone.”