Medieval movies come in all types – some good and some bad, some historical and some more fantasy than anything out of history. This section will give details about medieval films – those upcoming, recently released, and longtime favourites. We will offer news, reviews, scenes and more about these medieval movies.
Recent Medieval Films
Valhalla Rising – Starring Mads Mikkelsen and Maarten Stevenson Made in Denmark in 2009, being released in North America and Europe in 2010 – the story of a Viking warrior who joins a group of crusaders as they set sail for the Holy Land, but after becoming lost in a terrible storm, arrive in an unknown land. A dark and bloody tale
Robin Hood – Directed by Ridley Scott and starring Russell Crowe, the film offers a new story about the legendary character of Robin Hood. It gives the story of Robin Longstride, a common archer serving in King Richard’s army, impersonates a minor noble and gets caught up in a war between France and England. See also our review of the film.
Black Death – a supernatural thriller set in England in the year 1348,it stars Sean Bean. The movie centers around the efforts of a monk and a group of knights to learn the secret why a remote village is not being effected by the Black Death plague which is ravaging Europe. See also our interview with the film’s writer, Dario Poloni.
The Secret of Kells – an animated film released in 2010, it received a nomination for Best Animated Feature by the Academy Awards. Based on the origins of Ireland’s most famous illustrated manuscript, The Book of Kells, the film was made in Ireland. One reviewer said, “This may be the perfect film for children whose parents are art historians specializing in pre-Renaissance periods.”
The Wild Hunt – a Canadian film released in 2010, it can best be described as a comedy turned thriller, set in the fantasy world of medieval re-enactment. The movie was filmed at an actual medieval event, which allowed them to use thousands of extras dressed in period costume.
Ironclad -an upcoming film, it stars James Purefoy and Paul Giamatti. Set in England in the year 1215, it deals with how a band of knights defend Rochester Castle against King John. The siege of Rochester Castle is an actual historical event, and one medieval chronicler wrote that ”no one alive can remember a siege so fiercely pressed and so manfully resisted.”
Agora – Agora is a historical epic set in Roman Egypt and focusing on the life and death of Hypatia (d.415), a Greek scholar from Alexandria, considered the first notable woman in mathematics, who also taught philosophy and astronomy (this links to a page on our other website: History of the Ancient World)
Medieval Movie News
Sir Bevois and Ascupart story to be made into short film – A university film project will be bringing the English legend of Sir Bevois and Ascupart to the big screen. The short film – funded by Solent University – will tell the story of the Southampton’s legendary founder, Sir Bevois, who spent the most important years of his life in the Middle East, finding love, fighting lions and triumphing in many battles.
Hollywood gets mixed reviews in history class, study suggests - Students who learn history by watching historically based blockbuster movies may be doomed to repeat the historical mistakes portrayed within them, suggests a new study from Washington University in St. Louis.
Mel Gibson to make a film about Vikings – Mel Gibson has revealed his next movie will be about Vikings. The actor-and-director was reported to be planning a Norse-themed epic starring Leonardo DiCaprio, and at the press conference for thriller the Edge Of Darkness he revealed more details.
Pope Joan movie premieres – On October 19 2009 the movie “Pope Joan” (in German: “Die Päpstin”) was had its world premiere in Berlin. Many famous actors were on the red carpet, including David Wenham, John Goodman, Johanna Wokalek and the film’s director Sönke Wortmann.
Movie about Mamluk Sultan Baybars in development – A novel about the famous Mamluk sultan Baybars has been released in Kazakhstan, and a filmed based on it is in development.
More Medieval Movies
Robin Hood in Film – The story of Robin Hood has been made into a movie at least fifty times – with many films going on to become financial and critical successes. As another Robin Hood movie is about to get released, we wanted to provide some clips from previous incarnations of the story of the Merry Men of Sherwood Forest and the evil Sheriff of Nottingham.
Kingdom of Heaven – a 2005 film directed by Ridley Scott. It is set in the late-12th century Holy Land, when the Crusaders controlled Jerusalem while Egypt and Syria were under the rule of Saladin. The film depicts the Battle of Hattin and the capture of Jerusalem, which occurred in 1187.
Red Cliff – the Chinese epic has been released to Asian audiences, and will soon be released to Europe and North America. Click here to watch an extended trailer and more…
Mongol – an account of the rise of Genghis Khan. Click here to watch a trailer and scenes from the film…
Crusade: A March Through Time - based on the novel Crusade in Jeans, it is a film aimed at younger audiences, with a plot based on the Children’s Crusade. Click here to watch a trailer and more videos from the film…
The Reel Joan of Arc: Reflections on the Theory and Practice of the Historical Film
