OK, quick! What are your top ten movies about the Middle Ages?
What, nobody responding? Can’t think of ten movies about the Middle Ages? How many can you think of, then?
Making my own top 10 list was challenging: there was a whole list of titles crowding the entrance. When I applied rules, there were still films that wanted to be let in. This list does not feel satisfactory, even after some serious head-scratching. Here are my criteria:
- They are mostly about England (with one exception)
- They are set roughly between the tenth and 14th centuries (i.e. no films about Rome or the Renaissance)
- No film adaptations of Shakespeare’s historical plays
- A strong bias towards historical films, but I allowed a few fantasies or films that stretch the facts quite a bit.
I have added a few sentences to each of my selections, so the post has grown a little long — too long for one sitting. Consequently, I’ll post it over two days, first five today, the rest tomorrow.
And so, here, in all its glory is my Top Ten All-Time Favourite Films About the Middle Ages:
The Name of the Rose (1986) – My personal favourite, as it depicts monks in an isolated mountain-top monastery in Italy. Sean Connery plays a Cistercian monk named Baskerville who travels arrives at the monastery with his novice, played by a young Christian Slater. The two become embroiled in solving a series of bizarre murders inside the abbey … and of course everyone is tight-lipped! I like the silences in this movie and the pregnant facial gestures. Vivid references to medieval dental hygiene, or lack thereof. Great plot, based on the novel by Umberto Eco.
Braveheart (1995) – A perennial favourite, especially for Scots and wannabe Scots, like me. Loosely based on the Scottish hero, William Wallace, who is played by Mel Gibson, in one of his definitive roles. About the Scottish battles for independance against Edward I. Rousing and inspiring and some of the most violent and grisly battle scenes you’ll ever see: medieval or otherwise. And Mel Gibson’s painted face in the famous “Freedom” speech is a great moment in cinema history. Won Oscars for best picture, director (Gibson), cinematography and others.
Becket (1964) – Have patience with the Hollywood schlock at the beginning of this dramatization of Henry II’s murder of Thomas á Becket, one of the most momentous developments in the early Middle Ages. Superbly acted by Richard Burton (Becket) and Peter O’Toole (Henry), the film develops into a superb study of friendship and betrayal and the struggle between church and state. There is even an unsubtle undertone of homoerotic tension between Henry and Thomas. The screenplay won an Oscar in 1964 as well as 11 other nominations.
The Seventh Seal (1957) – The existential bleakness of this film is almost too much for some, but the famous chess match between the main character (played by Max Von Sydow) and Death is worth the price of admission alone. A weary medieval knight and his squire are returning from the Crusades in the Holy Land and encounter a Europe in the midst of the Black Death. They ride through empty villages, groups of self-flagellating monks and townspeople repenting for the sins and corruptions of the world. The knight plays chess to buy time so that he can see his wife again, but Death is not the most trustworthy opponent …
Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975) – At last, a little fun with the Middle Ages. Monty Python “takes the piss” out of the period by satirizing pretty much every medieval archetype, starting with the horseless soldiers and the coconut-clopping assistants, the Arthurian legends, the belligerent French soldiers (“Your mother was a hamster and your father smelt of elderberries!”) and the “anarcho-syndicalist” peasants. Who could forget the Black Knight, who refuses to give up his sword-fight with Arthur, despite losing both arms and legs. The film was made for an absurdly low budget, but the Pythons wear it with pride. Worth watching several times!
See Part Two of the list in tomorrow’s post.
See addendum #1 to top ten list (March 16, 2009): The Navigator: A Medieval Odyssey.
See addendum #2 (April 4, 2009): The Reckoning.
oh oh does Lion in Winter count? Peter O’Toole again, but that movie is awesome!
Name of the Rose is exactly where it belongs – at the very top.
Thanks for putting this together. I’m a middle school teacher, and I love using clips of films to get the students’ attention and interest. I really appreciate people that help with recommended resources. I look forward to integrating your recommendations.
You’re very welcome, bella. Since posting these two top Middle Ages movies lists, they have consistently been the top rated pages on this site … until recently, when StumbleUpon.com picked up on the “Food in the Middle Ages” post. Best regards!
Braveheart was good entertainment, but pretty bad history. Lots of errors.
Hi David,
I realise this list was compiled a couple of years ago but I think the film that inspired me to read this page in the first place aught to be in here somewhere. Not only the best middle ages film I’ve ever seen, it’s one of the best films I’ve ever seen full stop (although I’ve yet to watch The Name of the Rose). The film in question is the 2010 offering from director Christopher Smith, starring Sean Bean, Eddie Redmayne and Carice van Houten. Unlike most of the stuff that Hollywood churns out, I couldn’t predict the end of the film until, well, the end of the film.
OOPS! I forgot to mention, the film is called “Black Death”.
Thanks for the tip, Paul. I’ve checked out the trailer at the International Movie Database (imdb.com). The trailer is here. I will definitely check it out soon and probably write about it. The blog is long overdue for some form of activity, and this may well be my way back to it. Cheers!
You’re welcome. I’ve just watched The Name of the Rose and thoroughly glad that I did so thank you for your recommendation.
Sorry to keep bugging you David but last night I watched another film that you might like to check out. Despite the name, Ironclad has nothing to do with 19th century naval warfare; it’s about the defence of Rochester castle by a handful of Knights Templar against King John’s army shortly after the signing of the Magna Carta in 1215.
I can’t testify to the film’s historical accuracy but it was a darn fine story that seemed to me like it *could* have happened that way, other than a couple of minor points such as the actors’ perfectly straight shiny white teeth. I’m not entirely convinced that the chapel at Rochester Castle would have had pointed arch stained glass windows in the early 13th century either.
My name is David Morton born February 6th coincidence noted, found it interesting while goodle searching for films about middle ages..
Not the same David Morton who composed this list, braveheart has bored me since I learned I am Descendant of the Arch Bishop of Canterbury/ Lord chancellor of England Morton, who had William Wallace hung drawn and quartered. How ironic you a fellow Morton and no doubt a distant cousin of myself would enjoy such a horrible film of high treason and savagery.
Thank you for your comments, sir. Your ancestor, Archbishop John Morton, had a great name … my own son is named John, as well. But I would not rejoice too loudly at being related to an archbishop, hardly paragons of virtue. He could perhaps be one reason why we are so heavily taxed, today. As Lord Chancellor under Henry VII, he advocated that no person be exempt from taxation and he was author of the infamous “Morton’s Fork,” that “if the subject is seen to live frugally, tell him because he is clearly a money saver of great ability, he can afford to give generously to the King. If, however, the subject lives a life of great extravagance, tell him he, too, can afford to give largely, the proof of his opulence being evident in his expenditure.” As a good catholic, Mel Gibson might approve of your ancestor, but his character, William Wallace, might have led an early taxpayer’s revolt against him, to the cry of “Freedom!
John Morton was also mentor to the great Sir Thomas More (now a saint), who lost his head by the hand of Henry VIII … and not to forget another archbishop, Thomas Beckett (Richard Burton), who was bludgeoned to death by a band of thugs loyal to Henry II (Peter O’Toole).”
Haha
Death and Taxes. How true.
In my Defence; At least im not a descendant of the Ceasar Agustus that taxed the Virgin Mother.
Kingdom of Heaven is about the best