"Are there any decent movies set in the high medieval." Topic

Period?

Kingdom of heaven isn't horrible. Thats about it.
Ironclad is , ridley scots Robin hood is just silly and awkward.
Arn templar knight was ok to, the final battle looked great with all the forces deployment. Then the battle was ruined by bad effects and the old Hollywood "lets all run full out and randomly hit people with our swords." No cohesion or control.

So are there any good ones?

Kevin Branagh's "Henry V" is pretty good.

For the 15th century you can't beat Excalibur

Ann I thought Arn was a cut above the rest

High Medieval is 11th, 12th, and 13th Centuries. Hollywood tends to love and over use plate mail which is Late Medieval.

The War Lord, El Cid, Ivanhoe, The King in Winter, The Name of the Rose, Alexander Nevsky.

I always like The Adventures of Quentin Durward, but that's late medieval.

Also the TV series Cadfael, set during the Anarchy.

For the 15th century you can't beat Excalibur

The story of Arthur set in the 15th century??

What about "Flesh+Blood" from 1985 staring Rutger Hauer.

Chris

What about "Flesh+Blood" from 1985 staring Rutger Hauer.

That's set during the Renaissance Festival era.

That's set during the Renaissance Festival era.

Not sure what you mean by the Renaissance Festival era?

How odd. According to this:
link

the film is set in 1501, however one of the major characters is John Hawkwood, who lived from c. 1320 to 1394!!

Now you know what he means by the Renaissance Festival era.

Those happy Olden Tymes where knights, pirates, wizards, kilted highlanders, cavaliers and Cimmerian warriors rubbed shoulders with fat beggars, tattooed jugglers, serving wenches, and baby boomer harridans dressed like Stevie Nicks circa the Rumours tour. The air was rich with the heady aroma of scented candles, roasted turkey legs, and patchouli, and a man could be sure his hard earned coin would buy enough healing crystals and pewter dragon jewelry to get him through the hard winter.

Sir Walter Rlyeh nailed the good ones.

Robin & Marian. imdb.com/title/tt0075147

Polanksi's MacBeth. imdb.com/title/tt0067372

Becket and Lion in Winter and Branaugh's Henry Vth come to mind. Recently I tried to watch Excalibur which I loved when it came out but man some of the acting is godawful.

Now you know what he means by the Renaissance Festival era.

???

Major B he means that the departures from history in that film were as big as the departures you see around those Renaissance Festivals. It means that it has little to do with the actual thing.

@KTravlos: Ah, thanks. I think. I was not previously aware of Renaissance Festivals. Where do they take place? I don't think we have anything like that in the UK.

Except for those listed above, it depends on what you are looking for. Most films set in this period revolve around the ideals of chivalry which, for the most part, only existed on paper. The medieval soldier was usually a ruthless, raping, thieving, murdering bastard, and his betters were little less. When asking about films this must be part of the equation for 'best films'.

Personally, I see the medieval period as a period of small states all trying to become 'modern states'. With that in mind, might I suggest, not a film but a TV series, Game of Thrones.

There's 1969 movie "A Walk With Love and Death" by John Huston, set during the Jacquirie.

The whole movie is available on youtube:

YouTube link

KoH is one of the most awful movies I've ever watched. Not as terrible as Alien 3, Prometheus or Man of Steel, but close.

MajorB they are a mix of reenactors and live role-playing people (think SCA). They usually are done in college towns in the US. Frankly I cannot say more than that because I have little experience with them (I visited a indoor one in Illinois-really more like a comic-con).

The Return of Martin Guerre.

General Comments:

Branaugh Henry V good but the battle is better done in Olivia's version (made in 44). Neither battle is accurate but costumes are much better in the 44 version.

Kingdom of Heaven isn't bad, costumes OK, plot fair to good.
Lead actress very good – lead male (Orlando Bloom) fair. Much much better than Braveheart for instance.

For oldes but goodies get Ivanhoe (Richard Taylor, Elizabeth Tailor version). Sword of Lancelot also fun.

Costumes are quite good in Flesh and Blood but plot is silly. Much better than average Ren Fair. Speaking of, Ren Fairs are commencial "amusement parks" held at many sites (we have big one in Atlanta) mediorce costumes, stage jousting and silly history. Fun with a beer and wearing a much better costume that you have brought with you (only works if your a medieval renactor).

As for TV, Bastard Execution promising with decent costumes. Game of Thrones fantastic for setting, attitudes etc esp when they stick to the books. Costuming erratic at best with little rhyme or reason. Books much better. (Get a copy of the new Knight of the Seven Kingdoms and feast on Gary Giani illustrations to see the proper look for Westeros).

Really not much to pick from. Interesting period with many battles and larger than life characters ect. not well done by H-wood. Maybe success of Game of Thrones will inspire a War of the Roses pic.

TomT

I love Robin and Marian. The fight between Connery and Shaw is awesome. Two old guys slugging it out for all they are worth.

I have only ever be3n to one Rennaisance fair.This particular one had none other than Charleton Heston as the tournament master for the joust. I was most impressed by the authenticity of his black limosine as it drove up and parked behind the grandstand. In my imagination,I could almost see Henry the Eight getting out of the back,his newest wife on his arm,mini bar and all.

What--nobody mentioned Tony Curtis in "The Black Shield of Falworth"?
"Yonda lies da castle of my fadduh."