The epic hero looms large in the collective imagination. This is the figure that, in various books, movies, and TV shows, undertakes a perilous quest in order to defeat evil and restore some measure of order and justice to the world, sometimes at the expense of their own life.

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Quite a few of these heroes have appeared during the history of Hollywood, in sagas of various kinds–both historical and fantasy–and so it is worth taking a look at them in order to determine who deserves to be seen as the most powerful.

T.E. Lawrence (Lawrence Of Arabia)

Lawrence looks out at something offscreen in Lawrence of Arabia.

Lawrence of Arabia is often regarded as one of the best movies ever made, and it’s not hard to see why. It is a marvel of cinematic magic, showing what the movies are capable of accomplishing.

Its central character T.E. Lawrence is someone who doesn’t necessarily look physically powerful or intimidating–often quite the opposite–but he nevertheless has a potent spiritual and intellectual power that ensures that he captivates everyone around him, with consequences that will reshape the entire Middle East.

William Wallace (Braveheart)

Mel Gibson in Braveheart

William Wallace, like T.E. Lawrence, has become something of a household name, thanks in no small part to this movie, which is a highly fictionalized version of this Scottish hero’s efforts to free his country from English domination.

Given that he is played by Mel Gibson–an actor who has a rather imposing physicality–Wallace becomes a very formidable and powerful figure. Just as importantly, he combines his native strength with intimidating fighting skills and a subtle brain that allows him to get very close to realizing his ambitions.

Judah Ben-Hur (Ben-Hur)

Ben-Hur on a chariot in Ben-Hur.

Charlton Heston is regarded as one of the best actors of classic Hollywood, and he was especially well-known for creating powerful epic heroes on the screen. One of his most notable is that of Judah Ben-Hur, the Jewish prince who becomes a slave before becoming a successful charioteer.

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Given just how much Judah endures throughout the movie–being marched across the burning desert, serving years as a galley slave, and ultimately winning a chariot race, it’s safe to say that he deserves to be seen as one of the most powerful epic heroes to have ever graced the silver screen.

Spartacus (Spartacus)

Spartacus in the gladiatorial arena in Spartacus

The title character of the 1960 epic movie Spartacus is a strong presence, due in large part due to the fact that he is played by the great Kirk Douglas. Like many other epic heroes from the classic Hollywood era, he endures quite a lot during the course of the movie, including a period as a slave and a gladiator.

However, he doesn’t let any of that stand in the way of his ambitions to free his fellow slaves and bring the Romans to their knees. The fact that he is able to come so close to seeing this dream brought to fruition demonstrates just how powerful he is.

Leonidas (300)

Gerard Butler in 300

There have been many great graphic novel movie adaptations, and 300 deserves to be seen as one of them. From the beginning of the movie, Leonidas demonstrates a formidable ability to lead the men of Sparta and, when they have to face the invasion of the Persians, he leads his men into battle, even knowing that they will almost certainly die.

Like the others in his company, he fights until the bitter end, and their ability to defeat so many of the Persians before succumbing to death shows their fighting power.

Achilles (Troy)

Achilles brandishing his sword from the movie Troy

Brad Pitt has been in many great movies, and Achilles is one of his best roles. He ably captures the arrogance and the belligerence of this most famous of ancient Greek heroes. Just as importantly, he also demonstrates just how powerful Achilles is a fighter, for he is someone who is able to defeat almost anyone who comes against him in battle, including the renowned Trojan warrior Hector.

Given that he is the son of an immortal, it is perhaps not surprising that he would be so powerful, but he nevertheless makes the most out of his natural gifts.

Aragorn (The Lord of the Rings)

Aragorn confronts the Army of the Dead in The Lord of the Rings

There are many brave and heroic characters in The Lord of the Rings, and Aragorn is at the top of that list. He consistently shows that he is a true epic hero, and it is especially notable that he is always willing to defend those weaker than he is (particularly the hobbits).

However, he also shows that he is a very powerful epic hero, not only by being able to wield the powerful sword Anduril, but also by being able to accomplish many other feats, including summoning the Army of the Dead and slaying untold numbers of Orcs.

Maximus (Gladiator)

Maximus wearing armor in Gladiator

Maximus is rightly seen as one of Russell Crowe’s best roles, and from the moment that he appears in Gladiator it is clear that he is a one-of-a-kind epic hero. He is the type of powerful leader that effortlessly commands the loyalty of his men.

What’s more, he also shows that he is one of the best fighters that Rome has ever produced, and it is the combination of these strengths that allows him to survive being sold into slavery and the arena and then, as the movie reaches its climax, to kill the corrupt emperor in the arena.

Moses (The Ten Commandments)

Moses holding a staff and raising his arms in The Ten Commandments.

There have been many great movies based on the Bible, but The Ten Commandments has been one of the most successful. This can largely be ascribed to its central hero, Moses, a powerful and dominating personality that ultimately becomes the tool that God uses to free the Israelites from their bondage in Egypt.

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There are many reasons that Moses can be seen as one of the most powerful epic movie heroes, but the fact that he is able to part the Red Sea is arguably the most memorable.

Gandalf (The Lord Of The Rings)

Gandalf in Lord of the Rings

Gandalf is one of the most powerful beings in Middle-earth, and his native powers are enhanced by the fact that he wields one of the Three Elven Rings. As a result, he stands at the top of the list of most powerful epic heroes.

Though he doesn’t always show his power in an explicit way, the fact that he is able to destroy a Balrog and also contend with the Ringwraiths on their dreadful mounted steeds, saving Faramir in the process, demonstrates that he is a force for good that needs to be taken seriously.

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