“I hope it’s received and appreciated, because it was done with love, ultimately,”

US questions Alexander’s greatness

by Peter Bowes

November 29, 2004

Oliver Stone’s much-anticipated epic, Alexander, starring Colin Farrell, opens in the US on Wednesday.

Not surprisingly, for a Stone film, it has been met with lively but largely negative reviews from critics and stirred up controversy.

It is the story of one of history’s most celebrated leaders - a relentless and arrogant warrior who conquered much of the known world by the age of 25.

“For me it’s an adventure ride such as has never been experienced before,” says Stone.

“There’s no story quite like it, it’s Alexander of Macedon - he existed, so this is all based on fact. This is not Hollywood mythologizing or creating a scenario.”

But the facts are in dispute. A group of Greek lawyers has threatened to sue the makers of the film saying it is “pure fiction and not a true depiction of Alexander’s life”.

It is the portrayal of Alexander as bisexual that has so riled Stone’s critics.

Much of the film dwells on Alexander’s close relationship with his childhood friend and battle commander, Hephaistion, played by Jared Leto.

Using modern day society as a benchmark, the two men certainly appear to enjoy a furtive gay relationship. The eyeliner-wearing Hephaistion appears besotted with the dashing warrior king.

“It wasn’t an issue back then,” explains Farrell.

“It wasn’t something that pertained to Alexander as an individual. Did he sleep with men? Did he sleep with women?

"In that kind of society there was no segregation in respect of your sexual orientation - there were no verbal references as we have now - like homosexuality, heterosexuality, whatever.”

Leto adds: “I always thought of it that they were brothers of different mothers - they have a really complicated and specific relationship that’s built around a deep love for each other.”

The problem for the filmmakers seems to be the expectations of modern day audiences.

The “is he or isn’t he?” mentality of moviegoers elevates the issue of sexuality beyond its relevance to the story. Early reviews have dubbed the film “Alexander the Gay” or “Queer Guy for the Macedonian Guy” - the ultimate trivialisation.

“People try to contextualise it in today’s kind of standards and society,” says Leto.
As a big screen experience Alexander is an awesome spectacle. Granted, Farrell’s blond wig comes as a bit of a shock but the battle scenes are breathtaking.

“It’s something that I’ll never forget. It’s an experience that will stay with me forever,” says Farrell.

“The battle scenes, logistically, were a nightmare but a nightmare that had to be faced.

"We went to boot camp, all the boys for three weeks. There were 170 men camping out in the desert in Morocco.

"There was a very particular way that the Macedonians fought in battle so we trained and trained. It also brought all the lads together that created a unified memory - an experience that I think was taken into the filming.”

For Oliver Stone, the film has been a lifelong ambition.

The Oscar-winning director was fascinated by Alexander as a child and inspired by Greek mythology.

“It’s an amazing story. It’s got so many levels to it, it should be seen twice to even begin to be understood in its entirety,” says Stone.

“I hope young people walk out with a sense of idealism, that there was a time when young people could be political leaders and at 26 a gang of young people could grab the world leadership.”

The director’s passion for the story clearly rubbed off on the film’s stars.

Farrell, who admits to never having a “particular desire or passion” for playing Alexander, says working with Stone was an “incredible” experience.

“Just to share the dance floor with Oliver for five months and to be briefed by him and to have dialogue with him, conversations about this time in history and about Alexander as a character.”

“He’s a mad genius, he’s at times seemingly bizarre and crazy and chaotic and mind-blowingly smart and beautifully gifted,” adds Leto.

At just under three hours Alexander certainly feels long and there is a sense that somewhere there is a great movie struggling to see the light of day.

Stone acknowledges that he struggles with the duration.

“The truth of the matter is we cut 75 per cent of his life out so what can you do? The movie is a three act condensation of a five-act life,” he explains.

“I hope it’s received and appreciated, because it was done with love, ultimately,” says Stone.