The Last Duel

The twelvemonth 2022 saw the release ofThe Northman , on the heels of 2021’sThe Green KnightandThe Last Duel , which are the epitome of The Middle Ages epoch .   The Middle Ages - roughly defined as the geological period between the fall of the Western Roman Empire and the Renaissance ( viaHistory )   - are often mislabeled as " the Dark Ages . " In fact , the medieval cosmos was rich with cultural , scientific , and artistic maturation , as evidenced by the wealth of movies that took station during the full stop .

Fans over atLetterboxdtook to the poll to count in on the all - time safe plastic film determine in the Middle Ages . These film , ranked by Letterboxd rating , were the most name by fans when give in their rankings for the " Long Ships " confrontation . They represent classical Hollywood , international films , satiric clowning , and recent epics .

Kingdom Of Heaven (2005) - 3.4

Ridley Scott ’s 2005 epicKingdom of Heavenis broadly based on the aliveness of Balian of Ibelin , a twelfth hundred French crusader . The moving-picture show takes slap-up liberties with the life sentence of its subject , and its theatrical cut received interracial critical review , but a 2006 extended director ’s cut see critical acclaim .

While its historical accuracy is a subject of rough debate , with some scholars arguing that it conforms to dangerous Orientalist stereotypes about the Middle East , Kingdom of Heaven’sgreatest intensity level is its philosophical core . Balian confront a moral crossroads , storm to choose between a peace reach through an enactment of vehemence and sting to his honourable idealism . The result is a move - if sometimes debatable - exploration of the ethics of crusading .

The Green Knight (2021) - 3.7

In his adaptation of the finest chivalric poem of the Middle Ages , director David Lowery crafts a dreamlike , dreamlike experience . The Green Knighttranslates the astonishing oral communication of its source textile into dainty visual poesy . intimate faces and symbols - King Arthur , Excalibur , Morgan le Fay , and the eager immature Gawain - are re - imagined with postmodernist creativity .

WhileThe Green Knight’srendering of medieval society remains designedly nonfigurative , the film beautifully realize the tension present in much of the period ’s lit . Gawain is an avatar of the eonian pursuance for laurels - everlasting with all the hypocrisies that fare with such a quest .

The Last Duel (2021) - 3.7

Ridley Scott revisit the Middle Ages for his 2021 filmThe Last Duel , which explore relevant themes of misogynism and intimate agency . Based on Eric Jager ’s book and real historical events , the film culminate in one of the last trials by combat authorize in France . Drawing inspiration from the classical Akira Kurosawa filmRashomon , The Last Duelrelates its story in three separate chapters , each from the perspective of a different histrion in the key difference of opinion .

ThoughThe Last Duelsaw disappointing boxful office return ( viaBox Office Mojo ) , critic and audiences largely praised the film . Scott ’s direction and the screenplay by Nicole Holofcener , Matt Damon , and Ben Affleck were particularly lauded .

Army Of Darkness (1992) - 3.7

The third installment in theEvil Deadfranchise , Army of Darknesscompletely changes genresfrom its predecessors . Accidentally transport and trapped in the Middle Ages ( a laA Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur ’s Court),hero Ash fights Deadites while navigating medieval politics .

brightly satirizing both the time menstruation and the earlierEvil Deadfilms , Army of Darknessis a whirlwind escapade that ’s become a cult classic . It ’s simultaneously a top - nick living dead repulsion and a hilarious send - up of the Arthurian legend .

Braveheart (1995) - 3.8

Mel Gibson ’s epic dramatization of   William Wallace ’s lifespan plays so tight and loose with Scottish history that it ’s regard one of themost historically inaccurate movies ever made . But lover do n’t flock toBraveheartfor its historic accuracy . Braveheartis highly regarded for its strong performance by Gibson and the back up mold , the high-pitched production value , and stunning scrap sequences .

Meanwhile , the Academy Award - succeed celluloid award such a breathtaking vision of medieval Scotland that the country see a immense boost in touristry after its release ( viaHerald Scotland ) .

The Adventures Of Robin Hood (1938) - 3.8

Based on the mostly fourteenth 100 fable of the criminal who steal from the rich to give to the wretched , 1938’sThe Adventures of Robin Hoodremains a supremelyrewatchable Old Hollywood flick . Errol Flynn became synonymous with Robin of Locksley for his public presentation in this swashbuckling delight .

consultation can see the influence ofThe Adventures of Robin Hoodin everything fromRobin Hood : man in Tightsto the lightsaber struggle choreography inStar Wars . Eighty - four years later on , the celluloid sport a 100 % Tomatometer valuation onRotten Tomatoes .

The Princess Bride (1987) - 4.1

Beloved by generations of viewers , Rob Reiner’sThe Princess Brideis one of thebest fantasy movies with a PG evaluation . While teeming with anachronism and modern comedic deliveries , it ’s a delicious homage to swashbuckling risky venture films of the early 20th hundred .

The Princess Bride’smedieval mise en scene may be an imaginary res publica , yet it present a comprehensive snap of a smart set . form struggle , early social mobility , strategic war , piracy , and superstition all play a part in the story ’s unfolding .

Monty Python And The Holy Grail (1975) - 4.1

British comedy troupeMonty Python’smedieval sendup somehow manages to be one of the best film adaptations of the Arthurian fable . From migrating coconuts to the Knights who say " Ni,“Monty Python and the Holy Graildelivers near - constant laughs with the company ’s stylemark absurdism .

The cinema satirize the Middle Ages ( and the contemporary academic study of the full stop ) with crackle specificity , much of which it owe to co - director and company member Sir Terry Jones . The late Jones , in increase to make renown as a comedian , actor , author , and director , was an esteemed medieval historian . Monty Python and the Holy Grailis consistently rank among the best andmost rewatchable comedy films of all clock time .

The Seventh Seal (1957) - 4.3

In the 14th century , the Black Death took the life of hundred of millions across Europe , North Africa , and Asia . From the collective experience sprang significant works of nontextual matter , like Boccaccio’sThe Decameron . In 1957 , noted Swedish filmmaker Ingmar Bergman made his portrait of the Black Death inThe Seventh Seal . portion out more in allegory than nonindulgent historical truth , the film nonetheless portrays the despair and hope that arose from the Black Death .

Widely consider one of the greatest and most influential photographic film ever made , The Seventh Sealfollows a horse , return to a plague - ravaged res publica from the Crusades , who challenges Death to a secret plan of chess . homage to the chess game bolt down up all over culture , from The Muppets to theBill & Tedmovies .

The Passion Of Joan Of Arc (1928) - 4.4

Carl Theodor Dreyer’sThe Passion of Joan of Arclooms bombastic in the maturation of cinema . The 1928 silent movie , base on the test and implementation of Joan of Arc , feature a spellbinding performance by Falconetti . The Passion of Joan of Arcbroke ground with its pioneer use of closemouthed - ups ; the technique influenced many contemporary filmmakers , including Quentin Tarantino inInglourious Basterds .

A portrait of a dark full stop in mediaeval story , the film aim for historical truth in its presentation of Joan ’s final days . With its lasting influence , The Passion of Joan of Arcis a fitting testimonial to the French ethnical icon .

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Split images from Beaveheart, The Green Knight, and The Last Duel

Liam Neeson leads an army in Kingdom of Heaven

Gawain looking at Excalibur in The Green Knight

Adam Driver and Matt Damon confront each other in in The Last Duel.

Ash rasiing his rifle in Army of Darkness

A close-up of Mel Gibson as he stares solemnly into the distance face painted blue

Robin Hood shoots his bow and arrow

Westley and Buttercup in The Princess Bride

The knights look up at a castle in Monty Python and the Holy Grail

The chess game with death in The Seventh Seal

A closeup shot of Joan in The Passion of Joan of Arc

The Last Duel