The era of the Middle Ages is the time of brave knights, beautiful and proud ladies, noble robbers and mysterious sages. You can also add about widespread unsanitary conditions, short life expectancy, illness and hunger, but who needs a harsh reality when the soul craves a beautiful and sublime fairy tale? Introducing you the most fascinating films about knights and the Middle Ages. The list of the best was compiled in accordance with the audience rating on “Kinopoisk”. It includes films released between 2000 and 2017.
Do you like historical cinema? Then read our list of the best Viking movies.
10. The Iron Knight (2010)
Rating - 6.6
Knight of the Templar Order Thomas Marshall defends Rochester Castle (one of the first stone castles built in England) from mercenaries led by King John Landless. There is a lot of blood in the film, so it’s better for impressionable people not to watch it.
9. Black Death (2010)
Rating - 6.6
In ancient 1348, a bubonic plague raged in England. At this terrible time, a group of knights, along with a young monk, travels to the village, which the plague for some reason ignores. At the same time, the leader of the knights Ulrich, sent by Bishop Bishop, must find a necromancer who, according to the church, is able to raise from the graves of the dead, who died from the plague. And the monk Oswald wants to save his girlfriend, although this is contrary to religious beliefs. In this picture there will be no Good in shining armor and absolute Evil. But there will be a gloomy and harsh Middle Ages, shown without embellishment, as well as ruthless religious fanaticism, which not everyone will like.
8. King Arthur (2004)
Rating - 7
King Arthur is known as one of the most popular characters in the British epic. A lot of books have been written about his adventures, films have been made, and there are even computer games. However, the director of “King Arthur” made his heroes not British at all, but a Sarmatian detachment operating on British territory. At their head is the Roman Artorius. Having served the proper time for the Roman Empire (and this is a long 15 years), the Sarmatians have already mentally returned home. However, the detachment receives the final mission: to deliver the pope’s godson and his family from the north to a safe place.
7. Arn: Knight Templar (2007)
Rating - 7
The Swedish young man Arn, the son of a poor landowner, was sent to training in a monastery and there, under the guidance of his brother Gilbert, he learned to shoot from a bow, wield a sword and ride a horse. However, having completed his studies, Arn, by coincidence, was forced to go to the Kingdom of Jerusalem as a Knight Templar. Spectators are waiting for very high-quality shots of fights, a realistic depiction of life in the XII century and beautiful landscapes of Scandinavia and the Holy Land. The filmmakers paid great attention to the outfit and weapons of the heroes, which will please the reenactors and just lovers of the Middle Ages.
6. Arn: United Kingdom (2008)
Rating - 7.1
In the best historical films about the Middle Ages, there was another film about the knight Arn. Having been in many fierce battles, he leaves Jerusalem as a completely different person. Arn returns to Sweden, torn by feudal feuds, to his family and first love, Cecilia. However, in his native land, Arn will again have to fight with enemies who threaten his clan.
5. Robin Hood (2010)
Rating - 7.1
Once upon a time there lived a noble and resourceful robber who robbed the rich and gave gold to the poor. His name was Robin Hood. But about how Robin Hood got to the life of a robber, a film shot by Ridley Scott will tell. Starring such stars as Russell Crowe and Cate Blanchett, which means that you don’t have to complain about a bad acting.
4. Tristan and Isolde (2005)
Rating - 7.3
The love story of the brave warrior Tristan, the heir to the British king, and the gentle, kind Irish princess Isolde. The girl nurses a wounded warrior and a strong and pure feeling arises between them. However, in a foreign land, Tristan faces death and he has to leave Isolde. Later, fate brings them together again, but the princess is again not promised to Tristan.
If you think this is a tearful melodrama, then you are deeply mistaken. Intrigues, battles - all of this in "Tristan and Isolde" in abundance, as well as magnificent surroundings and beautiful music.
3. John - a woman on the papal throne (2009)
Rating - 7.5
In the top films about the Middle Ages, there are enough stories about strong and independent men. It’s time to dilute them with the story of a strong and independent Popess. The Vatican did not officially acknowledge that once a Pope (under the name of John VIII) was a woman named John for five months. According to legend, the future Papess was born in the family of an English missionary on the day of the death of Charlemagne. Dressed in a man’s dress, John lived in Rome for a long time, going from a notary curia to a cardinal and then the Pope. By the way, it is believed that precisely because of the events connected with John, the newly elected pontiffs before Leo X had to undergo the procedure of “checking masculinity”. A special chair with a slot in the center served for this. One of the cardinals climbed under the seat and made sure that the future Pope had a masculine nature.
2. The kingdom of heaven (2005)
Rating - 7.5
In second place in the selection of the best films about the Knights is the adventure action movie Ridley Scott about the young gunsmith Baliane. He joins the crusader squad led by his father. However, in one of the battles, the father is seriously injured and, dying, knights his son. At the walls of Jerusalem, the young man has to prove that he is worthy of the honor.
1. The history of the knight (2001)
Rating - 7.7
A movie entitled “The Knight's Story” could not pass the list of the best films about knights. Although this film, which refers immediately to three genres - action, melodrama, comedy - was shot back in 2001, but most of the reviews about it are good, and you can watch it with children. The story of William, who after the death of his master took his armor and weapons and began to impersonate the noble knight Ulrich von Lichtenstein, turned out to be very interesting, exciting and kind. On the way to the glory and love of the beautiful lady William, many trials await. But those who are determined to become a knight will overcome any difficulties.
