MovieChat Forums > Robin Hood (2010) Discussion > Any 'authentic' mediaeval movies?

Any 'authentic' mediaeval movies?

posted 13 years ago by devansarty-1
45 replies | jump to latest

There's been a fair amount of to-ing and fro-ing on this board about the 'accuracy' and 'authenticity' of this film and others like it, particularly Scott's other mediaeval 'epic' 'Kingdom of Heaven'.

Personally I'm not too fussed by the 'accuracy' question. Compressing timelines combining characters into composites etc. they're basically storytelling and narrative decisions which all writers make (sometimes for better, sometimes for worse). But can anyone name any movies based in the medieval world that (at least as far as we understand it) demonstrate a genuinely mediaeval 'mindset' in their characters?

Additionally can anyone name any movies where the period is evoked with a degree of 'authenticity' (however that's interpreted) that goes beyond the standard hollywood art director's handbook when it comes to sets, costumes etc?

It's decades since I've seen it (and I may therefore be way off in my recollection) but the only mediaeval film I can come up with is Valerian Borowczyk's 'Blanche' (1972) http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0066841/

Possibly the best all round evocation of a particular period I've seen is Kevin Brownlow's 'Winstanley' (1976) http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0073911/ so if anyone's familiar with that film it may give you some idea where I'm coming from.

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[–] Lord_Gyaldhart 11 years ago

I don't know if it's been mentioned, but Paul Verhoeven's Flesh+Blood is a pretty gritty and brutal flick that depicts realistically many aspects of the late middle ages/the beginning of the Renaissance eras.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089153/?ref_=nv_sr_1

The Name of the Rose is an excellent film too, quite realistic as well.

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[–] syntinen 11 years ago

You know, when you want to join in a long-running thread it's usually a good idea actually to read the thread before posting.

[–] The_Real_Celsus 11 years ago

Lol, good post.

[–] SprinklesAreFood 11 years ago

Harsh! It's a very long thread, but well worth reading. There are some gems mentioned.

On with the motley.

[–] Degree7 10 years ago

This is a really great thread, it's interesting reading through all the recommendations.

I'm not sure if anyone mentioned "A Man for All Seasons" yet.

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[–] pol-edra 10 years ago

I think it was mentioned before, but as it is set in the 16th century, it is a bit late to relate to the OP's query.

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[–] leo-hork-na 8 years ago

The list so far (every movie mentioned here):

- Blanche (1972)
- Winstanley (1976)
- The War Lord (1965)
- The Return of Martin Guerre (1982)
- The Hour of the Pig (1993), aka The Advocate
- Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
- Robin Hood (1991)
- The Name of the Rose (1986)
- The Lion in Winter (1968)
- Messenger: The Joan Of Arc Story (1999)
- A Man for All Seasons (1966)
- Becket (1964)
- Black Death (2010)
- Beatrice (1987), aka La Passion de Beatrice
- A Walk with Love and Death (1969)
- The Seventh Seal (1957)
- Andrei Rublev (1966)
- Alexandre Nevsky (1938)
- El Cid (1961)
- Henry V (1989)
- The Reckoning (2003)
- Flesh + Blood (1985)

[–] Furienna (3375) 7 years ago

From a Swedish point of view, "Arn the Knight templar" is our best attempt yet. I like it very much too.

[–] [deleted] 4 years ago

Yes, Monty Python and the Holy Grail.