OLIVER Stone's new film Alexander is based on the true story of one of history's most luminous and influential leaders a man who had conquered 90 per cent of the known world by the age of 25.

Alexander led his virtually invincible Greek, Macedonian, and later Eastern armies through 22,000 miles of sieges and conquests in just eight years and, by the time of his death at the age of 32, had forged an empire unlike any the world had ever seen.

The film takes a bold, honest look at Alexander's life and his relationships with his mother, Olympias (Angelina Jolie), his father Philip (Val Kilmer), his lifelong friend and battle commander Hephaistion (Jared Leto), Roxane, his ambitious and beautiful wife (Rosario Dawson), and his trusted general and confidant Ptolemy (Anthony Hopkins).

Fascinated by Alexander since childhood and inspired by Greek mythology, Oliver Stone dreamed of making Alexander's story for years. "I had frustrated student fantasies of going back in time with documentary cameras and a small crew to actually film Alexander's military campaigns," he recalls. "Thirty two years later, I finally had one chance to go back in time and actually recreate the period as best I could."

"Alexander was a man who would stop at absolutely nothing to achieve his dreams, which I truly believe were based on much more than greed and the desire for conquest," says Colin Farrell, who takes the title role, "All his life, Alexander was looking for answers, and I also think that he was looking for love all his life. Alexander had an almost insane passion for everything he did.

"He could have lived a fine life in Macedonia in his palace, taxing his people and enjoying the luxury befitting a king.

"But there was a hole in his chest that couldn't be filled, and his search for answers took him to the ends of the earth."