Popular Culture
Scythed chariots have appeared in several films. A scythed chariot can be seen in the chariot race depicted in the film Ben Hur, operated by Messala. Scythed chariots are seen in the first Colosseum scene in the film Gladiator. In the film Alexander by Oliver Stone, scythed chariots are shown charging into Macedonian phalanx during the beginning of Battle of Gaugamela scene. The chariots were also used in older films such as Solomon and Sheba. It was also shown in the 2011 film The Eagle.
In the Spike TV show "Deadliest Warrior", a scythed chariot was the special weapon of the Persian Immortal.
Applying similar blades to automobiles instead of chariots is a common trend in modern culture. In Goldfinger, James Bond's Aston Martin DB5 has a wheel-destroying spike inspired by Ben-Hur's scythed chariot. An episode of Mythbusters was devoted to testing such a device. Such devices were deemed "confirmed", noting that while blade durability may be low, such a device was highly effective at not only destroying tires, but could also detach wheels or injure the opposing driver.
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Famous quotes containing the words popular culture, popular and/or culture:
“Popular culture entered my life as Shirley Temple, who was exactly my age and wrote a letter in the newspapers telling how her mother fixed spinach for her, with lots of butter.... I was impressed by Shirley Temple as a little girl my age who had power: she could write a piece for the newspapers and have it printed in her own handwriting.”
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“Resorts advertised for waitresses, specifying that they “must appear in short clothes or no engagement.” Below a Gospel Guide column headed, “Where our Local Divines Will Hang Out Tomorrow,” was an account of spirited gun play at the Bon Ton. In Jeff Winney’s California Concert Hall, patrons “bucked the tiger” under the watchful eye of Kitty Crawhurst, popular “lady” gambler.”
—Administration in the State of Colo, U.S. public relief program (1935-1943)
“We now have a whole culture based on the assumption that people know nothing and so anything can be said to them.”
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