The contemporary image of the Middle Ages wavers somewhere between comical depictions of extreme filth and gruesome memories of political disarray, and that’s because that’s mostly what it was. The Middle Ages is a long period of time, starting when Rome fell and lasting until the Age of Discovery started. That’s more than a thousand years, going from the 5th century to the 16th, so it’s interesting that there aren’teven more movieson the subject.
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A few filmmakers have tried to bridge that gap, andRidley Scottis one of them. His latest offering,The Last Duel, is focused on the protocol and politics of that bygone era, from the political intrigue to the flashy swordplay. Here are a few more movies that take on a similar tone and setting, not only for the grim entertainment value but also for the smug relief a modern viewer can feel knowing that this rough, dirty, vaccine-free period of history is over.
Walking a fine line between dramatization and historical fact, there are some familiar names in this story that viewers will recognize even if they don’t know anything about England.Ironcladis based on the true story of the signing of the Magna Carta. The plot focuses on the aftermath of the document’s creation, in which King John,with the help of various other authorities, such as the Church, hunts down to make examples of the knights and nobles that supported it.
The character of King John inIroncladis the same one mentioned in stories of Robin Hood, but this is a much more realistic portrayal of the actual historic villain. It’s such a chilling and horrific depiction of the monarchy that it’s no wonder that the peasants were revolting. Ridley Scott’s 2010 version ofRobin Hood, which deserves an honorable mention on this list, alludes to the Magna Carta and includes the same Prince John but never names the document.
8The Green Knight (2021)
King Arthur’s mythology dates back to the 5th century, during a time when Romano-British culture dominated Rome’s most northern province, but the poem on which this movie is based dates from the 14th century. That is partly why the story has such a profound mix of ancient mysticism, ambiguous settings, and medieval costume design.
The Green Knightwas put on hiatus when COVID-19 hit, and it was finally released in 2021 to critical fanfare. The movie is beautifully designed and features a stellar cast, but it’s a slow burn that’s more about mythology than action, and might be too abstract for some tastes.
7Kingdom Of Heaven (2005)
Ridley Scott has revisited the Medieval Era in his movies a number of times, and more than ten years ago he decided to focus on the Crusades. This time period often gets a mention in his other movies (looking at you again,Robin Hood) but this is the only Ridley Scott film to date in which it takes center stage.
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Unlike many other movies about the Middle Ages that include real historic figures, locations, and events, this one is mostly accurate, although there are a few glaring exceptions. The narrative doesn’t pull any punches about the Europeans' true motives for conquering the Holy Land, nor the crimes they committed once they did so.
6The 13th Warrior (1999)
Loosely based on a book with a notoriously grim name, Michael Crichton’sEaters of the Dead,this movie includes a clash of medieval cultures along with a compelling narrative. The book itself was inspired by old Norse sagas and Ahmad ibn Fadlan’s 10th-century account of Volga Vikings, which would make for a good story on its own.
The movie might be based on some historic fact,but it’s otherwise a horror fantasythat sounds a lot likeBeowulf.Instead, this time, the feast-hall portion is omitted and the warriors skip to the part where they kill the monster’s mother — more action, less fact, but still some medieval fun.
5Excalibur (1981)
For one brief shining moment, there was a profitable franchise that revolved around a wildly successful musical calledCamelot. During this brief time, anything King Arthur-related made a lot of money, but, unlike the family-friendly musicals that preceded it,Excaliburwas a movie intended for big kids and had a plot and storyline to prove it.
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This might seem mainstream today, but this was one of the first movies to look at the Middle Ages and Arthurian legend in a way that was more realistic and less romantic.Excaliburwas never a critical darling, but it was always loved by fans, and it launched the careers of Patrick Stewart and Liam Neeson.
4Ladyhawke (1985)
The anachronistic soundtrack is unnerving, but maybe Richard Donner was just ahead of his time. Not only is this a great adaptation of an ancient fairy tale, butLadyhawkealso hasa lot of 1980s Hollywood nostalgia value, and not only because of the iconic director. The main cast is made up of actors like Rutger Hauer and Michelle Pfeiffer, who are backed up by a gangly teenage Matthew Broderick.
The film is set in Italy, but the film keeps it surreal by never actually naming the country or any of the locations. The only exception is the Bishop’s headquarters in the city of L’Aquila. This is a real town in Italy where the movie was filmed, and the word actually means “eagle.”
3Outlaw King (2018)
Spoiler alert!Braveheartisn’t on this list. That’s because there’s a new game in town for exciting revisionist Scottish history, and it’s even about some of the same people.
This 2018 historical drama tells the story of Robert the Bruce, a character who took on the role of mere narrator in Mel Gibson’s beloved cliche-fest. It takes a lot of the same liberties when it comes to accuracy, but it got a lot of positive attention for sets, costuming, and choreography. The look of a drama that takes place in the Middle Ages is the main reason most people watch it anyway — just ask aGame of Thronesfan.
2Elizabeth (1998)
An ideal choice for those viewers interested in how the Middle Ages transitioned into the Renaissance and eventually the Industrial Revolution, here’s a movie that follows the life of a monarch that saw it with their own eyes. Not only that, but she survived all of its savage intrigues and made England the leading global superpower of that incoming modern age.
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The sets and costumes, along with the breakthrough performance of Cate Blanchett as Elizabeth I of England, earned this movie a lot of positive attention when it was released. It’s yet another movie about the Middle Ages that plays hard and fast with historical facts, but did youseethat dress?
1The Last King (2016)
Also known asBirkebeinernein its native land, the name was changed to a much duller name to appeal to audiences outside of Norway. The title is taken from the loyalist group known as the Birkebeiner, a group that defended the young heir to the throne from foreign invaders.
The storyline is based on real events that took place between the Kingdom of Norway and two of its closest neighbors, Sweden and Denmark, in the 13th century. The Catholic Church also takes an antagonistic role, and the moral of the story isn’t just an exciting history lesson but also explains why so many Scandinavian nations are steadfastly secular in the present day.
