Latin (and Less Greek) in Popular Films from the 1980s to the Present

As the production of Ancients declined significantly after the 1960s, there was a significant increase in the use of ancient allusions in (mostly) Hollywood-style, commercially oriented films from the 1980s (141), peaking in the 2000s (645), and continuing to the present. Of approximately 2000 examples, over 500 include the use of classical languages, with Latin being much more predominant than Greek. Insertions of the ancient languages offer filmmakers a unique spectrum of uses, whether for introducing overarching themes and narrative framing devices, shaping role characterizations, or inserting humor. After discussing the parameters of usage and common “cinematic Latin” errors in grammar and pronunciation, the chapter devotes sections on (A) magical spells and (B) comic concatenations and inserts from the 1980s, followed by sections devoted to the use of (C) “carpe diem” and (D) other phrases from ancient literature, (E) miscellaneous Latin phrases, (F) legal phrases, (G) “It’s Latin for…”, (H) mottos, (I) scientific terms, (J) derivations, (K) a classical education, (L) extended passages, and (M) conversations.