MovieChat Forums > Marco Polo (2014) Discussion > Why were the Knights Templars so useless...

Why were the Knights Templars so useless?

posted 9 years ago by zen0x
15 replies | jump to latest

Glossing over the fact the crusaders were never involved with the Mongols in this fashion. Mongol armies were most effective as mobile hit and run troops in open areas. The Crusaders were most effective as either heavy shock cavalry or close quarters specialists. Therefore I think it's fair to say a heavily armored crusader would annihilate a Mongol on the ground just like a Mongol would likely annihilate a crusader on a horse in the open.

I mean common the Knights Templar history is replete with examples of outstanding fortitude and courage against overwhelming odds. However, the knights portrayed in the show seemed to die like they weren't even wearing armour, none of them seemed to have shields and most seemed to lack any of the formidable marshal prowess they possessed in real history.

[–] rgchapman1 9 years ago

In reality logistics and the steppe terrain have been the downfall of any invading force.
Romans, Persians, Crusader missions, Germans, Chinese and Soviet forces have all tried and
failed to truly conquer the Mongols.

This particular Templar force would have had to cross two major deserts along the Silk Road suffering. Once on the Steppe they encountered even more untamed and ugly terrain.
Once their horses were scattered, water supply disrupted and gunpowder destroyed they were combat ineffective. The two other Mongol forces were caught by surprise and scattered. They were not very good at defense or ground fighting.

Polo is shown suffering his way across the Gobi. Without an Imperial pass he had to to take the long painful way home. I wish we had seen a ragged european force being harassed all the way back to the Gobi and the rest dying of dehydration crossing the desert.

What a message to send to a genocidal Pope.

www.DronesOverLouisville.com

[–] JohnSmith2560 9 years ago

The Romans, Crusaders and Germans never tried to conquer the Mongols. I have absolutely no idea where you got that nonsense from.

[–] zadok-332-444684 8 years ago

Although I kind of like the "surprise" excuse I still agree: they should have been depicted as tough warriors. Not least the armour, which ought to be their strong suit (hue hue), should have been a thing there. That would have made a better scene and would also make the mysterious ghost army more impressive, suggesting it's an army full of battle hardened warriors rather than a bunch of wimps.