15 best films about the Middle Ages

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Dramas, large-scale action films and even detective stories about knights, monks and forest robbers.

15. The story of a knight

• USA, 2001.
• Comedy, melodrama.
• Duration: 132 minutes.
• IMDb: 6, 9.

After the death of the owner, squire William Thatcher changes into his armor and wins several tournaments under a false name. But soon the hero has a dangerous enemy.

The light and witty film by Brian Helgeland, starring Heath Ledger, is built in an unusual way: in order to amuse the audience and evoke a greater emotional response from them, the director repeatedly refers to modern pop culture, and the soundtrack consists of songs by Queen, AC / DC and David Bowie.

14. Arrows of Robin Hood

• USSR, 1975.
• Adventure, action movie.
• Duration: 80 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 0.

Robin Hood, the leader of the free shooters, wins the archery competition and immediately meets the beautiful Maria. They witness the crimes of the Nottingham Sheriff and decide to confront the domineering villain.

This Soviet film is remembered by many thanks to the ballads of Vladimir Vysotsky. Interestingly, in the original rental version, they were replaced by songs by Raymond Pauls, but the audience loved the director's version more. Seven years later, the film "The Ballad of the Valiant Knight Ivanhoe" by the same Sergei Tarasov, which can be considered a continuation of the story of Robin Hood, was released on the screens.

13. Vikings

• USA, Germany, 1958.
• Adventure, action, historical.
• Duration: 116 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 1.

Brothers Einar and Eric, separated in childhood, meet many years later. One of them is the heir to King Ragnar, and the second fell into slavery and does not even know about his origin. But soon the young men fall in love with the same woman.

The screen duo of the brightest representatives of the golden age of Hollywood, Kirk Douglas and Tony Curtis, is still considered by many to this day the pinnacle of acting. Thanks to the gripping plot and charismatic characters, the film became popular not only in the United States, but throughout the world.

12. El Cid

• Italy, USA, 1961.
• Drama, melodrama, biography.
• Duration: 172 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 2.

African Emir Ben Youssef sets off on a military campaign to Spain. To resist the invader, the warrior El Sid the Overlord unites a people previously divided by religious strife. At the same time, the hero himself is trying to achieve the love of the daughter of Count Jimene.

Director Anthony Mann tried to shoot the main shots of the film exactly in those places where the real events took place. And for the greater scale of the battle scenes, he hired 1,500 infantry from the Spanish army and 500 horsemen from the guard of honor.

11. Kingdom of Heaven

• USA, Spain, 2005.
• Military, drama.
• Duration: 145 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 2.

Blacksmith Balian is forced to run away from his homeland. He joins his crusader father, who is soon severely wounded in battle. Dying, he bestows the title of knight on Balian, and he sets out on a campaign against Jerusalem.

This film has a difficult fate. The producers originally wanted Ridley Scott to direct a historical action adventure. But the director himself was more inclined towards an epic canvas that would show the spirit of the times. As a result, the film was re-edited without Scott's knowledge, and he failed at the box office. The audience could see the director's version only on DVD, and it turned out to be much more interesting and logical than the theatrical version.

10. King

• UK, Hungary, Australia, 2019.
• Drama, historical.
• Duration: 140 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 2.

This drama is based on the chronicles of William Shakespeare. The picture is dedicated to the ascent to the English throne of King Henry V. The young man did not want to become a ruler, but it was he who had to lead the campaign against France.

The Netflix film, which depicts the Middle Ages as very dark and dirty, is primarily attracted to the cast. The main role was played by one of the most famous young actors Timothy Chalamet, and he was accompanied by Robert Pattinson, Joel Edgerton, Ben Mendelssohn and other stars.

9. Alexander Nevsky

• USSR, 1938.
• Drama, military, historical.
• Duration: 111 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 6.

Teutonic knights attack Russia. They seize Pskov and are already dividing future possessions. But against them comes Prince Alexander Nevsky with his retinue. The decisive battle will take place on the ice of Lake Peipsi.

In the year of its release, Sergei Eisenstein's film turned out to be incredibly popular at the box office, and the press wrote extremely laudatory reviews. In 1939, the director was even awarded the Order of Lenin. However, after a while, the picture was withdrawn from the box office, so as not to heat up relations with Germany. But years later, "Alexander Nevsky" was recognized all over the world, and the film is still considered one of the examples of a great cinematic language.

8. The name of the rose

• France, Italy, Germany, 1986.
• Drama, thriller, detective.
• Duration: 130 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 7.

Franciscan monk William of Baskerville, along with his novice, investigates mysterious deaths in a Benedictine monastery in northern Italy. The search leads the heroes to the book of Aristotle, which can change the idea of God.

The film is based on the eponymous debut novel by Umberto Eco. The plot perfectly combines religious themes and classic detective stories. But the audience especially fell in love with the bright screen duo of Sean Connery and a very young Christian Slater.

7. Becket

• Great Britain, USA, 1964.
• Drama, biography, history.
• Duration: 148 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 8.

For many years, Thomas Becket was the only one who was trusted by King Henry II. The ruler and his assistant discussed military affairs, love affairs and economics. But then Henry achieved the appointment of Becket to the post of Archbishop of Canterbury. And old friends turned into bitter enemies.

The film with Richard Burton and Peter O'Toole received 12 Academy Award nominations. True, she won only one category - "Best Adapted Screenplay".

6. Lion in winter

• Great Britain, USA, 1968.
• Drama, historical.
• Duration: 134 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 9.

The aging king of England, Henry II, plans to announce the name of the heir to the throne at Christmas. This event gives rise to rivalry between sons. In parallel, the king's wife, his mistress and the rest of the entourage weave their intrigues.

It was in this film that Anthony Hopkins performed his first major role. He played Richard the Lionheart - Henry's eldest son - and immediately received an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

5. Marketa Lazarova

• Czechoslovakia, 1967.
• Drama, melodrama.
• Duration: 162 minutes.
• IMDb: 8, 0.

The action takes place in medieval Bohemia. A group of petty nobles steals the innocent Marketa Lazarova, who was supposed to become a nun. The girl falls in love with one of the kidnappers. But the king has already sent an army to fight the robbers.

The film is based on the book of the same name by Vladislav Vanchura, in which he tried to rethink the very essence of the historical novel as a genre. And this is the case when the film adaptation became more famous than the literary basis. Later, Marketa Lazarova was even called the best work of Czech cinema.

4. The Passion of Jeanne d'Arc

• France, 1928.
• Drama, biography.
• Duration: 82 minutes.
• IMDb: 8, 1.

The picture is dedicated to the trial of the famous Jeanne d'Arc. The Inquisition tortures her and demands to confess to witchcraft. But Jeanne remains adamant even in the face of fear of public execution.

Carl Theodor Dreyer's silent film is still one of the iconic creations of cinema. The director tried to shoot everything as realistically as possible: the actors worked without makeup, and an almost real city was built as scenery. Separately, the emotions of actress Rene Falconetti are noted: the role of Jeanne d'Arc is considered one of the brightest works in cinema of all time.

3. Seventh seal

• Sweden, 1957.
• Drama.
• Duration: 96 minutes.
• IMDb: 8, 2.

Knight Antonius Blok, together with his squire, returns to his homeland from the crusade. Driving through the cities where the plague is raging, Blok tries to understand the meaning of life and begins a chess game with Death itself.

Ingmar Bergman shot an incredibly beautiful philosophical parable that is relevant at all times. Fear of imminent death changes the knight's worldview, and only towards the end he realizes that his life was not meaningless.

2. Monty Python and the Holy Grail

• Great Britain, 1975.
• Comedy.
• Duration: 91 minutes.
• IMDb: 8, 2.

Everyone knows the legend of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. But members of the British comedian troupe "Monty Python" retell it in the form of a parody with many absurd jokes.

Terry Gilliam's directorial debut is considered not only one of the most striking works of "Monty Python", but also regularly hits the top of the best comedies of all time. The picture has long been sold to quotes and memes. Who does not remember the Black Knight, who did not admit defeat, even when he lost his arms and one leg?

1. Brave heart

• USA, 1995.
• Military, biography.
• Duration: 178 minutes.
• IMDb: 8, 3.

William Wallace's father died at the hands of the British when his son was still very young. Uncle Orgyl took the boy to Europe and gave a good education. Returning already matured, William leads the struggle for the independence of his country from England.

The directorial work of Mel Gibson, who also starred here, received 10 Oscar nominations in 1996. The authors of Braveheart managed to collect five statuettes. In particular, Best Film and Best Director.