Medieval

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
  • cpr-54044 - 5 August 2023
    Brutal and joyless
    Lacking any historical basis, this film never quite finds its identity. It wavers between political thriller/medieval action film (game of thrones) and a gory period drama (Braveheart) while failing to capture the spirit of either. The action relies more on gore than style to interrupt an otherwise boring slog. While the scenery is beautiful, the well shot forests and European castles can't save a plot that lacks the subtlety to carry the political plays being made and simultaneously lacks the boldness to create compelling action and chase scenes. In other words, Medieval takes a middle path that fails to create any real suspense, either as an epic historical drama or straight forward action film.
  • SnoopyStyle - 28 March 2023
    some good fights
    Medieval Europe is in conflict. In fact, two rival Popes have been elected, one in Rome and one in France. It's 1402 Italy. Czech warrior Jan Zizka (Ben Foster) is tasked by Lord Boresh (Michael Caine) to kidnap Katherine (Sophie Lowe) and force his fiancée Rosenberg (Til Schweiger) to support King Wenceslas IV. He would battle the Teutonic Order and the Holy Roman Empire.

    The politics is confusing. I barely understand the premise behind this story. More than anything, I know that Ben Foster is the lead. There are good guys and bad guys, in the movie, not in history. There is a great battle in the middle of the film. I would have liked the movie to wrap up faster after that. In the end, I like some of the fights and the muddy style despite the confusing history.
  • MattTB87 - 14 January 2023
    Should have been a series.
    Ben Foster isn't bad. Michael Caine isn't bad. Atmosphere isn't bad. Story is grade A mid week dross.

    Setting is that bit of fairly generic medieval history where everything looks how you'd expect but everyone speaks the queen's English and talks about people and places you vaguely know how a history text book 30 years ago.

    Really not much else to say about this one other than it should have been a limited series or a longer adaption, because frankly there isn't enough characterisation and what little plot there present is stretched far far too thin for a 2 hour long movie.

    So yeah, acting fine, action fine, cinematography fine, plot dross. Perfect 5.
  • hugorune-60-356120 - 2 January 2023
    Zizka was a mass murderer
    The English version of Wikipedia remains silent about Chomutov, but in the German version the fact is described: Zizka had all the 2500 citizens of Chomutov killed for believing the wrong stuff. Sorry, but glorifying a mass murderer in such a movie is unacceptable. The first 15 min of Medieval are good, after that it is all about a not so pretty girl which needs to be protected. I found that highly irrelevant and boring. Michael Caine is, as usual, an asset but can't save the movie. Schwill Tiger (a joke) is not as bad an actor as he normally is, but again, all that can't save that movie from being disappointing.
  • avindugunasinghe - 16 December 2022
    Honor Justice Freedom Faith Hope.
    Medieval succeed in painting a satisfyingly realistic picture of an ancient warlord's life. Setting Zizka's journey through torment, disgrace,loss and finally victorious is delightful. Story never indicates Zizka as a hero but as just a leader in the right circumstances thats remarkable too. It's commentary on the medieval society has a strange resemblance with society at present. Even Zizka decides on going to war when he is forced out of bounds to his lord that translate well with middle class at present. All this is achieved with masterful performances by the cast and especially the excellent use of visuals and special effects. It maybe underrated due to accuracy of the events but it certainly is an entertaining watch.
  • bellah-61583 - 28 November 2022
    Why? Somebody give me back my 2 hours!
    Save yourself the trouble. Watch the 3 first minutes, then fast forward to 1h51 min. Everythint from 3min to 1h51 min is a mess, a waste of time and fighting scenes are not that great.

    The story was promising, but it took a strange turn, losing focus after the intro. The story felt and looked patched. Every idea/angle is abandonned before it fully blooms which is annoying.

    Katherine took way too much space and I think the whole fleeing could have been shortened to focus on other themes/characters.

    The ending adds to the frustration because the claim made wasn't fully explored.

    I love medieval films, but this one was a double no for me!
  • nicolefogolin - 10 November 2022
    Good sound track
    Not a terrible film, and based on historical fact. Lots of fighting and action, maybe too much. Story was a bit thin and the characters never evolved unfortunately. Sparse story telling at best. Michael Cain was great! Scenery was beautiful. But no depth to characters, events, politics or even the state of play at the time. Im not sure i can say much more as 600 characters to critique this film seems excessive to say the least. The acting all round was very good, although i do hate hearing American accents in a European historical setting and there are a few that are cringe worthy. Music was beautiful.