The Middle Ages is a fascinating and rich historical period, full of events, characters, and legends. It is no surprise, then, that it has often been depicted in film. Medieval movies are a diverse genre, encompassing works of various genres, from epic to fantasy, from drama to thriller.
Early Medieval Movies
The first Medieval movies date back to the late 19th century. At the time, cinema was still in its infancy and production techniques were rather rudimentary. However, these films managed to capture the public’s imagination, offering a fascinating glimpse into a distant and mysterious world.
Some of the earliest Medieval movies include:
- Ivan the Terrible (1944), by Sergei Eisenstein, an epic film about the life of the Russian ruler Ivan IV;
- The Passion of Joan of Arc (1928), by Carl Theodor Dreyer, a dramatic film about the story of the young woman who led France against the English;
- The Seventh Seal (1957), by Ingmar Bergman, a philosophical film that tells the story of a knight who faces death in a plague epidemic.
The Middle Ages as a Setting for Adventure
In the years that followed, the Middle Ages became a popular setting for adventure. Films such as Robin Hood (1938), Ivanhoe (1952), and The Sword in the Stone (1963) told the stories of heroes and heroines who fought for justice and freedom.
The Middle Ages as a Setting for Fantasy
In the 1970s and 1980s, the Middle Ages also became a popular setting for fantasy. Films such as The Sword in the Stone (1975), Excalibur (1981), and Ladyhawke (1985) told stories of magic, dragons, and fantastical creatures.
The Middle Ages as a Setting for History
In recent decades, the Middle Ages have also been depicted in film in a more realistic and historical way. Films such as Kingdom of Heaven (2005), Braveheart (1995), and The Name of the Rose (1986) told real historical events or based on real events.
Current Trends
In recent years, the Medieval movies genre has continued to evolve. Films such as The Last Duel (2021) and The Northman (2022) have explored new themes and perspectives, offering a more complex and multifaceted image of the Middle Ages.
Some Points for Further Exploration
The Themes of Medieval movies
Medieval movies can address a wide range of themes, including:
Heroism and the fight for justice;
Love and friendship;
Power and corruption;
Religion and faith;
Magic and the supernatural.
The Vision of the Middle Ages in Films
The vision of the Middle Ages in films can be very different from that of history. For example, some films present an idealized Middle Ages, while others portray it in a more realistic and raw way.
The Middle Ages: A time of great change
The Middle Ages is a historical period spanning from the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 AD to the discovery of the Americas in 1492. It is a long and complex period, characterized by major political, social, economic, and cultural changes.
Periodization
The Middle Ages are generally divided into three periods:
- Early Middle Ages (476-1000): This period is characterized by the formation of the first Germanic kingdoms, the spread of Christianity, and the Carolingian Renaissance.
- High Middle Ages (1000-1300): This period is characterized by the rise of feudalism, urbanization, the urban renaissance, and the birth of the first universities.
- Late Middle Ages (1300-1492): This period is characterized by the crisis of feudalism, the rise of nation-states, the discovery of the Americas, and the Protestant Reformation.
Politics
The Middle Ages are a time of great political fragmentation. After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, Europe is divided into a multitude of small kingdoms and principalities. Over time, some of these kingdoms emerge and become more powerful, such as the Holy Roman Empire, France, and England.
Society
Medieval society is a hierarchical society, divided into three orders: clergy, nobility, and people. The clergy is the highest social group and includes priests, bishops, and cardinals. The nobility is the middle social group and includes princes, counts, barons, and knights. The people are the lowest social group and include peasants, artisans, and merchants.
Economy
The medieval economy is predominantly rural. Agriculture is the main economic activity and most of the population lives in the countryside. Trade is developed, but it is limited to a small part of the population.
Culture
Medieval culture is a strongly religious culture. Christianity is the dominant religion and influences all aspects of social and cultural life. The Catholic Church is a major political and cultural force and controls education, art, and literature.
The Best Medieval Movies
Medieval movies can still be relevant today because they address universal themes such as love, war, justice, and faith. These films can help us better understand our past and our present.
The Thief of Bagdad (1924)
Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Medieval movie Country: United States Year: 1924 Director: Raoul Walsh
Introduction
The Thief of Bagdad is a silent film adaptation of the Arabian Nights. It tells the story of a young thief named Ahmed who falls in love with the princess Badra.
Plot
Ahmed is a young thief who lives in the city of Bagdad. One day, he is captured by the evil Grand Vizier Jaffar. Jaffar forces Ahmed to help him steal a magic lamp from the caliph.
Ahmed succeeds in stealing the lamp, but he accidentally releases a genie. The genie grants Ahmed three wishes, which he uses to help the princess Badra and defeat Jaffar.
Production
The Thief of Bagdad was a groundbreaking film for its time. It was one of the first films to use special effects, including stop-motion animation and matte paintings.
The film was a critical and commercial success. It was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture.
Acclaim
The Thief of Bagdad is considered one of the greatest films of all time. It is praised for its groundbreaking special effects, its exciting story, and its timeless characters.
The Iron Crown (1941)
Genre: Historical, Adventure, Medieval movie Country: Italy Year: 1941 Director: Alessandro Blasetti
Introduction
The Iron Crown is a historical film set during the Renaissance. It tells the story of Ettore Fieramosca, a young Italian mercenary who leads a group of soldiers in a battle against the French for the Iron Crown of Lombardy.
Plot
The French king, Charles VII, has invaded Italy in order to claim the Iron Crown of Lombardy. A group of Italian mercenaries, led by Ettore Fieramosca, decide to fight back.
The mercenaries defeat the French in a battle at the Battle of Barletta. This victory is a turning point in the Italian Renaissance and helps to inspire the Italian people to fight for their independence.
Production
The Iron Crown was a co-production between Italy and Germany. It was directed by Alessandro Blasetti, one of the most important Italian filmmakers of the 20th century.
The film was a critical and commercial success in Italy. It was also released in Germany, where it was banned by the Nazi government.
Acclaim
The Iron Crown is considered one of the greatest Italian films of all time. It is praised for its exciting story, its realistic battle scenes, and its patriotic themes.
Ivan the Terrible (1944)
- Genre: Drama, Historical
- Country: Soviet Union
- Year: 1944
- Director: Sergei Eisenstein
Introduction
Ivan the Terrible is a two-part biographical film about the life of Ivan IV of Russia, directed by Russian filmmaker Sergei Eisenstein. The first part, Ivan the Terrible: Part I, was released in 1944, while the second part, Ivan the Terrible: Part II, was released in 1958.
Plot
The first part of the film begins with the coronation of Ivan IV as Tsar of Russia. Ivan is a young, ambitious man determined to unify his country and make it a great power. However, he must face the opposition of the boyars, the Russian nobility who are accustomed to ruling the country as they please.
Production
The production of the film was long and difficult. Eisenstein worked on the project for several years, and he faced a number of obstacles, including the war and censorship.
The film was shot in black and white, and it uses innovative cinematic techniques, such as panoramic shots and dissolves.
Acclaim
The film was a critical and commercial success. It was awarded the Grand Prix at the 1946 Venice Film Festival.
Macbeth (1948)
Genre: Historical, Tragedy, Medieval movie Country: Italy, France Year: 1948 Director: Orson Welles
Introduction
Macbeth is a historical tragedy based on the play of the same name by William Shakespeare. It tells the story of Macbeth, a Scottish general who is driven by ambition to murder King Duncan and seize the throne.
Plot
Macbeth is a brave and loyal general in the service of King Duncan. However, he is also ambitious and power-hungry.
One day, Macbeth and his wife, Lady Macbeth, are visited by three witches. The witches tell Macbeth that he will one day be king.
Macbeth is tempted by this prophecy. He murders King Duncan and seizes the throne.
However, Macbeth’s guilt and paranoia soon consume him. He is eventually defeated by his enemies and killed.
Production
Macbeth was directed by Orson Welles, one of the most important filmmakers of the 20th century. It was Welles’ first film adaptation of a Shakespeare play.
The film was shot in black and white on a low budget. However, Welles’ innovative direction and the performances of the cast (including Welles himself as Macbeth) helped to make the film a classic.
Acclaim
Macbeth was a critical and commercial success. It was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture.
The film is considered one of the greatest Shakespearean adaptations ever made. It is praised for Welles’ visionary direction, the performances of the cast, and its atmospheric cinematography.
The Seventh Seal (1957)
Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Medieval movie Country: Sweden Year: 1957 Director: Ingmar Bergman
Introduction
The Seventh Seal is a historical fantasy film set during the Black Death. It tells the story of a knight who plays chess with Death in order to buy himself more time to live.
Plot
A knight and his squire return home from the Crusades. However, they find their homeland ravaged by the Black Death.
The knight, Antonius Block, is a man who has lost his faith. He is confronted by Death, who challenges him to a game of chess. The knight agrees to play, hoping to buy himself more time to live.
As the knight travels across Sweden, he witnesses the horrors of the Black Death. He also encounters a variety of people, including a troupe of traveling players, a family of peasants, and a young woman named Mia.
The knight’s journey forces him to confront his own mortality and to question his beliefs. In the end, he must decide whether he is willing to accept death or whether he will continue to search for meaning in life.
Production
The Seventh Seal was directed by Ingmar Bergman, one of the most important filmmakers of the 20th century. It was Bergman’s first international breakthrough.
The film was shot in black and white on a low budget. However, Bergman’s innovative direction and the performances of the cast (including Max von Sydow as the knight) helped to make the film a classic.
Acclaim
The Seventh Seal was a critical and commercial success. It won the Golden Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.
The Vikings (1958)
Genre: Historical, Adventure, Medieval movie Country: Italy, France Year: 1958 Director: Richard Fleischer
Introduction
The Vikings is a historical epic film set in the 9th century. It tells the story of Ragnar Lothbrok, the legendary king of the Vikings.
Plot
Ragnar Lothbrok is a powerful Viking leader who is determined to conquer England. He leads his army across the sea and defeats the English in a series of battles.
Ragnar is eventually killed by the English king, Aella. However, his legacy lives on, and he is remembered as one of the greatest Viking warriors of all time.
Production
The Vikings was directed by Richard Fleischer, one of the most successful filmmakers of the 1950s. It was a co-production between Italy and France, and it starred Kirk Douglas as Ragnar Lothbrok.
The film was a critical and commercial success. It was nominated for two Academy Awards, including Best Cinematography.
Acclaim
The Vikings is considered one of the greatest historical epics ever made. It is praised for its exciting action sequences, its epic scope, and its iconic performances.
La fontana della vergine (1960)
Genre: Historical, Adventure, Medieval movie Country: Italy, France Year: 1958 Director: Richard Fleischer
Introduction
The Vikings is a historical epic film set in the 9th century. It tells the story of Ragnar Lothbrok, the legendary king of the Vikings.
Plot
Ragnar Lothbrok is a powerful Viking leader who is determined to conquer England. He leads his army across the sea and defeats the English in a series of battles.
Ragnar is eventually killed by the English king, Aella. However, his legacy lives on, and he is remembered as one of the greatest Viking warriors of all time.
Production
The Vikings was directed by Richard Fleischer, one of the most successful filmmakers of the 1950s. It was a co-production between Italy and France, and it starred Kirk Douglas as Ragnar Lothbrok.
The film was a critical and commercial success. It was nominated for two Academy Awards, including Best Cinematography.
Acclaim
The Vikings is considered one of the greatest historical epics ever made. It is praised for its exciting action sequences, its epic scope, and its iconic performances.
The Raven (1963)
Genre: Gothic horror, Medieval movie Country: United States Year: 1963 Director: Roger Corman
Introduction
The Raven is a gothic horror film adaptation of the poem of the same name by Edgar Allan Poe. It stars Vincent Price as the tormented poet Edgar Allan Poe, Boris Karloff as Dr. Scarabus, and Peter Lorre as Dr. Bedlo.
Plot
Poe is a struggling poet who is tormented by nightmares and hallucinations. One night, he is visited by a raven who tells him that he is doomed to die. Poe begins to investigate the raven’s prophecy and soon finds himself entangled in a web of murder and madness.
Production
The Raven was directed by Roger Corman, a prolific director of low-budget horror films. It was part of Corman’s Poe cycle, which also included The Pit and the Pendulum (1961), Tales of Terror (1962), and The Haunted Palace (1963).
Acclaim
The Raven was a commercial success and was praised for its atmosphere, its performances, and its faithfulness to the source material. It was nominated for a Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation.
The Masque of the Red Death (1964)
Genre: Horror, Mystery, Medieval movie Country: Italy Year: 1964 Director: Roger Corman
Introduction
The Masque of the Red Death is a horror film based on the short story of the same name by Edgar Allan Poe. It tells the story of a prince who throws a masquerade ball to escape the plague.
Plot
The prince of a small kingdom is determined to ignore the plague that is ravaging the land. He throws a masquerade ball to entertain himself and his guests.
However, the plague is not to be ignored. The Red Death, a supernatural figure, arrives at the ball and begins to kill the guests one by one.
In the end, the prince is the only one left alive. He is left to face the Red Death alone.
Production
The Masque of the Red Death was directed by Roger Corman, one of the most prolific filmmakers of the 1960s. It was the fifth film in Corman’s series of Edgar Allan Poe adaptations.
The film was shot in black and white on a low budget. However, Corman’s atmospheric direction and the performances of the cast (including Vincent Price as the prince) helped to make the film a classic.
Acclaim
The Masque of the Red Death was a critical and commercial success. It was praised for its suspenseful story, its atmospheric cinematography, and its use of color.
Becket (1964)
Genre: Historical, Drama, Medieval movie Country: United Kingdom, United States Year: 1964 Director: Peter Glenville
Introduction
Becket is a historical drama based on the life of Thomas Becket, the Archbishop of Canterbury who was murdered by King Henry II.
Plot
Thomas Becket is a loyal advisor to King Henry II. However, when Becket is appointed Archbishop of Canterbury, he begins to clash with the king over the power of the church.
The conflict between Becket and Henry escalates, and eventually Becket is murdered by the king’s men.
Production
Becket was directed by Peter Glenville, a British filmmaker. It starred Peter O’Toole as Becket and Richard Burton as Henry II.
The film was a critical and commercial success. It was nominated for seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor for O’Toole.
Acclaim
Becket is considered one of the greatest historical dramas ever made. It is praised for its performances, its direction, and its historical accuracy.
The Decameron (1971)
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Medieval movie Country: Italy Year: 1971 Director: Pier Paolo Pasolini
Introduction
The Decameron is a comedy-drama film based on the collection of stories of the same name by Giovanni Boccaccio. It tells the story of a group of young people who flee to the countryside to escape the plague in Florence.
Plot
In the midst of the Black Death, a group of young people flee to the countryside to escape the plague. They tell each other stories to pass the time, and their stories explore a variety of themes, including love, sex, and death.
Production
The Decameron was directed by Pier Paolo Pasolini, one of the most important filmmakers of the 20th century. It was Pasolini’s first film in color.
The film was shot on a relatively low budget, but Pasolini’s innovative use of color and his bold visual style helped to make the film a classic.
Acclaim
The Decameron was a critical and commercial success. It was praised for its humor, its visual style, and its exploration of human nature.
The Knife of Ice (1972)
Genre: Giallo, Medieval movie Country: Italy Year: 1972 Director: Umberto Lenzi
Introduction
The Knife of Ice (Il coltello di ghiaccio) is an Italian giallo (mystery thriller) film directed by Umberto Lenzi. It was released in 1972.
Plot
Martha Caldwell (Anita Strindberg) is a mute woman who lives in a small Spanish village. She is haunted by the memories of a train accident that killed her parents when she was a child. One day, her cousin Jenny Ascot (Mariangela Giordano) is murdered by a mysterious serial killer who is terrorizing the region. Martha becomes the killer’s next target.
Production
The Knife of Ice was produced by Massimo De Rita for the Tritone Film Industria and the Mundial Film. It was shot in Spain.
Acclaim
The Knife of Ice was a commercial success in Italy, but it was critically panned. It was criticized for its excessive violence and misogyny.
The Message (1976)
Genre: Historical, Drama, Medieval movie Country: United States, Egypt, Morocco Year: 1976 Director: Moustapha Akkad
Introduction
The Message is a historical drama film about the life of the Prophet Muhammad. It tells the story of Muhammad’s rise from poverty to become the leader of Islam.
Plot
Muhammad is born in Mecca in the 6th century AD. He is a kind and compassionate man who is troubled by the corruption and injustice of his society.
Muhammad receives a revelation from God, and he begins to preach a new religion, Islam. His message of peace and equality attracts a large following, and he soon becomes a powerful leader.
Muhammad’s teachings spread rapidly throughout the Middle East, and he eventually unites Arabia under Islam. He dies in 632 AD, but his legacy lives on, and he is considered to be one of the most influential figures in history.
Production
The Message was directed by Moustapha Akkad, a Syrian-American filmmaker. It was a co-production between the United States, Egypt, and Morocco.
The film was shot on a large budget, and it featured a cast of international actors, including Anthony Quinn as Muhammad.
Acclaim
The Message was a critical and commercial success. It was praised for its historical accuracy, its visual style, and its performances.
Excalibur (1981)
Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Medieval movie Country: United Kingdom, United States Year: 1981 Director: John Boorman
Introduction
Excalibur is a historical fantasy film based on the Arthurian legends. It tells the story of King Arthur, his knights of the Round Table, and the quest for the Holy Grail.
Plot
Arthur is a young man who is raised by his foster father, Merlin. Merlin teaches Arthur how to fight and how to lead, and he eventually helps Arthur to become king of England.
Arthur is a wise and just ruler, and he gathers a group of knights around him, including Lancelot, Galahad, and Percival. These knights, known as the Knights of the Round Table, swear to protect the kingdom and to uphold the ideals of chivalry.
Arthur’s reign is threatened by the evil wizard Mordred, who is determined to usurp the throne. Mordred eventually succeeds in killing Arthur, but Arthur’s legacy lives on, and he is remembered as one of the greatest kings of England.
Production
Excalibur was directed by John Boorman, a British filmmaker. It was a co-production between the United Kingdom and the United States.
The film was shot on a large budget, and it featured a cast of international actors, including Nicol Williamson as Merlin, Liam Neeson as Lancelot, and Helen Mirren as Morgan le Fay.
Acclaim
Excalibur was a critical and commercial success. It was praised for its visual style, its performances, and its exploration of themes such as good versus evil, love, and loss.
Bertoldo, Bertoldino e Cacasenno (1984)
Genre: Comedy, Adventure, Medieval movie Country: Italy Year: 1984 Director: Mario Monicelli
Introduction
Bertoldo, Bertoldino e Cacasenno is a comedy-adventure film based on the stories of the same name by Giulio Cesare Croce. It tells the story of three friends who have a series of misadventures.
Plot
Bertoldo, Bertoldino, and Cacasenno are three friends who live in a small village in Italy. They are all simple-minded and good-hearted, but they often get themselves into trouble.
One day, the three friends are hired by a local lord to help him with a series of tasks. However, they quickly make a mess of everything, and they eventually end up getting themselves into a lot of trouble.
Production
Bertoldo, Bertoldino e Cacasenno was directed by Mario Monicelli, one of the most important filmmakers of Italian neorealism. It starred Massimo Troisi as Bertoldo, Roberto Benigni as Bertoldino, and Paolo Villaggio as Cacasenno.
The film was a critical and commercial success in Italy. It was praised for its humor, its performances, and its faithfulness to the original stories.
The Name of the Rose (1986)
Genre: Historical mystery, medieval film Country: Italy, France Year: 1986 Director: Jean-Jacques Annaud
Plot
In 1327, Franciscan monk William of Baskerville arrives at a Benedictine monastery in Italy to attend an important meeting between representatives of the Church. William is accompanied by his novice Adso of Melk.
Soon, William and Adso find themselves investigating a series of mysterious murders that are terrorizing the monastery. The two investigators discover that the victims are all connected to an ancient manuscript, known as “The Name of the Rose.”
As the investigation progresses, William and Adso find themselves facing a dark and dangerous world, where faith and reason collide.
Production
The film was produced by Claude Berri and Jean-Jacques Annaud for Gaumont. The filming took place in Italy, including the monastery of San Galgano and the library of Montecassino.
Reception
The Name of the Rose was a critical and commercial success. The film was nominated for seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Adapted Screenplay. It won the BAFTA Award for Best Cinematography and the César Award for Best Foreign Film.
Azur e Asmar (2006)
Genre: Fantasy, Adventure, Medieval movie Country: Italy, France, Morocco Year: 2006 Director: Michel Ocelot
Introduction
Azur e Asmar sono due bambini che vengono allevati come fratelli dalla stessa donna, Jenane. Azur è un bambino bianco dagli occhi azzurri, mentre Asmar è un bambino nero dagli occhi scuri.
I due bambini crescono insieme e diventano amici inseparabili. Tuttavia, quando Jenane muore, i due bambini vengono separati.
Production
Azur e Asmar was directed by Michel Ocelot, a French filmmaker. It was a co-production between Italy, France, and Morocco.
The film was shot in a traditional animation style, and it featured a cast of international actors, including Hiam Abbass as Jenane, Patrick Timsit as Azur’s father, and Omar Sharif as the Genie of the Lamp.
Acclaim
Azur e Asmar was a critical and commercial success. It was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film.
Valhalla Rising (2009)
Valhalla Rising (2009)
Genre: Epic, Historical, Adventure, Medieval movie Country: Denmark Year: 2009 Director: Nicolas Winding Refn
Introduction
Valhalla Rising is a Danish epic historical adventure film written and directed by Nicolas Winding Refn. It tells the story of a mute Viking warrior named One-Eye who is captured by Christian slavers. He escapes with a group of other slaves and they embark on a journey to find Valhalla, the legendary afterlife of the Norse gods.
Plot
One-Eye is a fierce Viking warrior who is captured by Christian slavers. He is forced to fight in gladiatorial contests for the amusement of the slave traders. One day, One-Eye is able to escape from the slavers with a group of other slaves. They set off on a journey to find Valhalla, the legendary afterlife of the Norse gods.
Production
Valhalla Rising was directed by Nicolas Winding Refn, a Danish filmmaker known for his gritty and atmospheric films. The film was shot on location in Morocco.
Acclaim
Valhalla Rising was a commercial success and was praised for its atmosphere, its performances, and its originality. It was nominated for the Palme d’Or at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival.
Detective Dee (2010)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Crime, Historical, Mystery, Medieval movie Country: China, Hong Kong Year: 2010 Director: Tsui Hark
Introduction
Detective Dee (狄仁杰) is a Chinese action, adventure, crime, historical, mystery film directed by Tsui Hark. It is based on the Tang dynasty historical figure, Di Renjie. The film is the first in the Detective Dee series, which includes Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame (2013) and Detective Dee: The Four Heavenly Kings (2018).
Plot
During the Tang dynasty, Detective Dee Renjie is summoned to the capital to investigate a series of mysterious deaths. He soon discovers that the deaths are related to a powerful sorcerer who is plotting to overthrow the emperor. Dee must use his skills and wit to stop the sorcerer and save the empire.
Production
Detective Dee was directed by Tsui Hark, a renowned Chinese filmmaker known for his epic action films. The film was shot on location in China and Hong Kong.
Acclaim
Detective Dee was a commercial success and was praised for its action sequences, its visual effects, and its performances. It was nominated for five Golden Horse Awards, including Best Director and Best Actor.
The Last Duel (2021)
Genre: Historical drama, thriller Country: United States, France Year: 2021 Director: Ridley Scott
Plot:
In 14th-century France, Jean de Carrouges, a knight, challenges Jacques Le Gris, a squire, to a duel after his wife, Marguerite de Carrouges, accuses Le Gris of raping her. The duel is seen from three perspectives: Jean’s, Le Gris’s, and Marguerite’s.
Production:
The film was produced by Ridley Scott, Kevin J. Walsh, and Nicole Holofcener. It was written by Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Nicole Holofcener, and Damon Russell.
Acclaim:
The Last Duel was nominated for two Academy Awards, Best Cinematography and Best Makeup and Hairstyling. It also won the Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Drama.
The Northman (2022)
Genre: Epic historical drama, revenge thriller Country: United States Year: 2022 Director: Robert Eggers
Plot:
In 9th-century Iceland, Prince Amleth witnesses the murder of his father, King Aurvandil, by his uncle, Fjölnir. Amleth escapes to the forest and is raised by a group of women warriors. Years later, Amleth returns to Iceland to avenge his father and rescue his mother, Queen Gudrún, from Fjölnir’s clutches.
Production:
The film was produced by Robert Eggers, Lars Knudsen, and Mark Huffam. It was written by Robert Eggers and Sjón.
Accolades:
The Northman has been praised for its visuals, acting, and action sequences. It has been nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Cinematography, Best Costume Design, Best Production Design, and Best Original Score.
Dante (2022)
Genre: Historical, Drama, Medieval movie Country: Italy Year: 2022 Director: Pupi Avati
Introduction
Dante (2022) is an Italian historical drama film written and directed by Pupi Avati. It tells the story of Giovanni Boccaccio, who is commissioned to carry ten gold florins to Dante Alighieri’s daughter, Suor Beatrice, who is a nun at the convent of Santo Stefano degli Ulivi in Ravenna. In his journey, Boccaccio encounters people who knew Dante and learns about his life and work.
Plot
Settembre 1350. Ten years after Dante Alighieri’s death, Giovanni Boccaccio is commissioned by the Florentine government to carry ten gold florins to Dante’s daughter, Suor Beatrice, who is a nun at the convent of Santo Stefano degli Ulivi in Ravenna.
Boccaccio arrives in Ravenna and meets with Dante’s friends and acquaintances who tell him about the poet’s life and work. He learns about Dante’s exile from Florence, his love for Beatrice Portinari, and his writing of the Divine Comedy.
Boccaccio also encounters Dante’s tomb and is moved by the poet’s legacy. He returns to Florence with a renewed appreciation for Dante’s work and the impact he had on Italian literature.
Production
Dante (2022) was directed by Pupi Avati, a renowned Italian filmmaker known for his historical dramas. The film was shot on location in Ravenna, Italy.
Acclaim
Dante (2022) was a critical and commercial success in Italy. It was nominated for seven David di Donatello Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director.
