Medieval
The story of 14th century Czech icon and warlord Jan Zizka who defeated armies of the Teutonic Order and the Holy Roman Empire.
- Released:
- Runtime: 120 minutes
- Genre: Action, Drama, History
- Stars: Ben Foster, Sophie Lowe, Til Schweiger, Matthew Goode, Roland Møller, Michael Caine, William Moseley, Karel Roden, Jan Budař, Marek Vašut, Ondřej Vetchý, Vinzenz Kiefer, Magnus Samuelsson, Werner Daehn, Jennifer Armour, Sean Connor Renwick, Roman Šebrle, Alistair Brammer, David Bowles, Christopher Rygh, Guy Roberts, Martin Kavan, Viktor Krištof, Filip Antonio, Aneta Kernová, Romana Jákl Vítová, Denisa Pfauserová, Kevin Bernhardt, Zhang Lang, Václav Jiráček, Brian Caspe, Petr Vágner, Ben Cristovao
- Director: Petr Jákl
Comments
- ExpendableMan - 7 July 2023
"Kings may be chosen by God, but they still make the mistakes of men."
'Frustrating' is probably the first word that comes to mind when thinking of 'Medieval.' It's an ambitious attempt to tell a (largely fictional) origin story for Czech national hero Jan Zizka, one of history's most renowned military commanders and you can see flashes of greatness in it, but it's also deeply flawed. On the one hand, there's an excellent cast, some grimy battle scenes and it convincingly recreates the brutality of medieval life. On the other, it's poorly edited and the storyline is needlessly confusing. There's enough duplicitous scheming to fill an entire season of 'Game Of Thrones,' but it's squeezed into a two-hour movie that also features near-constant violence. Keeping track of who's betrayed who and who's allied with who gets increasingly difficult as the film progresses. Especially as one of the most important characters - King Wenceslas - barely gets any screen time.
The meandering plot keeps it from being a potential 'Gladiator' for the streaming generation, but there is still a lot to commend. For starters, the acting is very good. The ever-reliable Ben Foster does a grand job in the lead role; his Zizka is a no great general, he's the leader of a small mercenary band who just wants to get paid, only to get swept up in events beyond his control. He's a violent man who speaks few words, but can convey a wealth of emotion just by tilting his head in the right way. He doesn't grandstand like Russell Crowe's Maximus, but you can still see why peasants flock to support him as the carnage unfolds. Elsewhere, Matthew Goode is excellent as the Machiavellian King of Hungary, while Sophie Lowe puts in a convincingly layered performance as the kidnapped wife of a Bohemian noble.
The battle scenes aren't perfect and can get confusing, but they're also satisfyingly bone-breaking. They're mostly small-scale affairs taking place in regions that helpfully disguise how few people are actually involved - inside a cave, on a narrow road, or on a smoke-shrouded pass - but when maces hit faces, it looks like it really, really hurts. Limbs are severed, arrows are shot into open mouths and people die horribly, all. The. Time. 'Medieval' presents itself as a heavyweight drama, but it also comes with a ridiculously high body count and it's positively drenched in gore. And that's before the Lion turns up and clamps its jaws around a man's head.
Lastly, the depiction of everyday life in medieval Europe is strikingly bleak. Lives are cheap and people have hard, back-breaking existences clawing out their survival in a harsh world. Peasants are oppressed by nobility and sadistic mercenaries. There's murder, hangings, raids, rape, torture and just about all manner of unpleasantness. Granted, some of it does come dangerously close to resembling 'Monty Python And The Holy Grail' without the jokes, but for the most part, it's a convincingly grim world. There's no heroic chevaliers and gallant men of honour, just blood, slaughter and death.
Which inevitably means it's almost a relief when the credits finally roll. 'Medieval' isn't a pleasant film and its more lofty ambitions are held back by a need to deliver crowd-pleasing fountains of crimson alongside heavyweight, Shakespearean tragedy. However, the cast are terrific, the battles will make you wince and it's so tactile you can almost feel the mud drying beneath your fingernails. 'Medieval' isn't amazing but it also isn't terrible. If you're interested in this period of history or just want to see Ben Foster kill half of Europe with a sword, it's worth checking out. - hernandochiari-59901 - 9 March 2023
An extraordinary tale.
Medieval is an exceptional film that transports viewers back in time to the tumultuous period of the 14th century. From the outset, it is clear that the filmmakers have spared no expense in creating a truly authentic and immersive medieval world, complete with stunning costumes, breathtaking landscapes, and intricate sets.
The film's attention to detail is truly impressive, and every aspect of the production, from the sound design to the lighting, has been carefully crafted to create a sense of historical accuracy and realism. The result is a film that feels truly epic in scope and scale, and which immerses the viewer completely in the world of the Middle Ages.
The performances in Medieval are also exceptional, with each member of the cast delivering a nuanced and deeply engaging portrayal of their character. The lead actor in particular, who plays a young squire thrust into the brutal world of medieval warfare, delivers a performance that is both powerful and poignant, perfectly capturing the sense of fear and uncertainty that would have been felt by those caught up in the tumultuous events of the time.
But what truly sets Medieval apart from other historical epics is the way in which it explores the themes of courage, loyalty, and sacrifice that are central to the medieval mindset. The film is unflinching in its portrayal of the brutality of war, but it also celebrates the virtues of honor, duty, and selflessness that were so highly prized in medieval society.
Overall, Medieval is an extraordinary film that transcends the boundaries of its genre. It is a deeply moving and thought-provoking work that will stay with viewers long after the credits have rolled. Whether you are a fan of historical dramas or simply appreciate exceptional filmmaking, Medieval is a must-see film that is not to be missed. - BrutusRider - 11 January 2023
Underrated movie. Deserves higher than 8.
The story is fast paced and action packed. The viewer is always on the edge of the seat. The chemistry between the lead actors is also a effectively portrayed within the boundaries of time limit and story line. As a history buff, this movie was a treat to watch. The attention to detail is also very commendable. The costume and the sets were extremely well made. I went to watch this with certain expectations and prepared to fast forward if bored. But on the contrary the movie blew my mind. Some of the scenes deserved a second watch. The stunt director had done total justice to the scenes. The story line has enough twists and turns that the user may not be able to predict what happens next. - Filmtazmic - 1 January 2023
Enjoyed it overall
The movie was a little complicated at first with the different factions involved in the story. This made it feel a little disjointed. But the plot became clearer as it progressed. A great cast starring Ben Foster and Sophie Lowe together with great action sequences, carry some of the budget restrictions and edit issues of the movie.
There are a lot of main characters to get your head around so we don't see too much depth in each character, but there is enough to figure out who the good and bad guys are and understand the political setting of the time. I read up on the subject in advance which helped.
Well worth a watch as long as your not expecting the finishing and gloss of a Hollywood blockbuster, but when compared to other Medieval movies with much higher budgets this one punches above it's weight. - deacon_blues-88632 - 9 December 2022
Great fictional biopic about the great Hussite general!
Jan Zizka became a devoted follower of the theologian and reformer Jan Hus, fighting for the religious freedom of those who were determined to follow the teachings of Scripture against the dogmas of the Holy Roman emperor and his corrupt church. He never lost a battle, even after losing both eyes in his later career. This film is a fictional account of his early years in Bohemia, where he was born. Not much is known about those years of his life, so anything's possible.
Ben Foster is excellent as the young Zizka. Sophie Lowe is also compelling as the Hus disciple, Princess Katherine. The location filming is breathtaking. An international cast, including Michael Caine, make this a moving and memorable historical epic about a little known but inspirational Czech hero. - smatralph - 25 November 2022
Cinematography and Edits could be better!!
I would really commend the writer for doing a fine job. And yes, Ben did put in the work. But all these were downplayed by the cinematographers. There were confusing scenes which is not a storyline's fault but lack of proper camera angle and lightening. You most likely would have to make a rewind to get the action. I would say the aerial views are my favourite of scenes, however.
The audio could be better too as I had to use a subtitle to see this one. I feel the attempt of the editors to not make some scenes too loud were maintained into low volume scenes too. Could be better.
Still a fine watch for some pass time. - kellimillstid - 8 November 2022
what a mess
Impossible to follow who is who... all of the lesser fighters are easily interchangeable in fight scenes where both sides blend together without distinction... friend - foe... it doesn't matter... they all look the same... while some elements have a realistic feel to Medieval fighting overall it's a convoluted mess of fighting.... confused plotting.... characters who turn from kidnapped to joining the kidnappers with no motive whatsoever.... if you want Medieval watch Kingdom of Heaven.... clear characters and plot... save your money.... save your sanity... don't rent or watch this film.... give this mess a wide berth....
