films

The Middle Ages and the movies….

Nov 20, 2022

anniversaries, battles, films

Alexander Nevsky, Andrei Rublev, Braveheart, Edward I, Eisenstein, El Cid, Fritz Lang, historical accuracy, Italy, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Robert Bartlett, Russia, satire, Scotland, Siegfried. Mel Gibson, Sir William wallace, Spain, Stalinist tyranny, Tarkovsky, The Middle Ages and the Movies, The Name of the Rose, The Seventh Seal, Umberto Eco

“….In The Middle Ages and the Movies eminent historian Robert Bartlett takes a fresh, cogent look at how our view of medieval history has been shaped by eight significant films of the twentieth century. The book ranges from the concoction of sex and nationalism in Mel Gibson’s Braveheart, to Fritz Lang’s silent masterpiece Siegfried, the art-house classic The Seventh Seal to…
Richard III meets Philippa and Harry at the Wallace Collection….

Nov 17, 2022

anniversaries, art, films

armour, birthdays, Harry Lloyd, Philippa Langley, photographs, Richard III, statues, The Lost King, The Wallace Collection

We’ve been deluged with reviews and information about The Lost King, and we’re flocking to see it wherever we can. But one thing has always been thin on the ground, and that’s publicity photographs. We’ve had the same few, so finding another (not actually from the film itself) with Philippa Langley and Harry Lloyd looking…
Would YOU include some of these in a list of all-time best historical films…?

Aug 14, 2022

battles, films, humour, The play’s the thing

A Man for all Seasons, Amanda Barrie, Anastasia, Azincourt, Carry On Cleo, Cleopatra, Eleanor of Aquitaine, Henry II, Henry V, Henry VIII, Kenneth Branagh, Kenneth Williams, Liz Taylor, More, musicals, Nicholas II, Paul Scofield, Peter O’Toole, Rasputin, Richard Burton, Richard III, Romanovs, Russian Revolution, Sid James, Sir Ian McKellen, The King, The King and I, The Lion in Winter, The Other Boleyn Girl, Timothee Chalomet

Here’s an interesting list of the “best historical royalty” films. Interesting….and peculiar. As well as some excellent period-based movies we have the likes of The King and I, the animated Anastasia musical and the Taylor-Burton Cleopatra. Maybe the latter will be acceptable to many, but to me it was a circus because of what…
The joys of catacombs, caves and labyrinths….

Jul 4, 2022

buildings, films, religion

As Above so Below, Buda Castle, burials, catacombs, Catacombs of St. Callixtus, caves, Cheddar, Clearwell Cave, DNA, Forest of Dean, labyrinth, ossuaries, Rome, Underground, wine fountain, Wookey Hole

When we wonder about our DNA, origins and so on, there’s one that I’m pretty sure will never turn up in my distant history: I am not descended from troglodytes. I hate going underground—the Circle Line in London made my hair stand on end. My entire experience of caves consists of Cheddar, Wookey Hole and…
A new film about Charles II….

Jun 23, 2022

anniversaries, art, buildings, films, genealogy, religion

beds, Catherine of Braganza, Charles Earl Spencer, Charles II, Diana Princess of Wales, Elizabeth I, hunting lodges, John, Richard III, royal marriages, Steve Coogan, Stuarts, trees

Well, if the above painting (left) really is “Charles Spencer….the younger brother to late Princess Diana” I’m impressed by his complete dedication to his subject, Charles II! Talk about entering into the spirit of things! 😁 I look forward to the ultimate film but am rather more enthusiastic about Steve Coogan’s earlier film about the…
Marc Morris on mediaeval television programmes and films …

Jun 15, 2022

anniversaries, battles, buildings, films, television reviews, Uncategorized

“Red Wedding”, “The last Kingdom”, anachronisms, Anglo-Saxons, atrocities, Barons, Bernard Cornwell, Black Dinner, Blind Harry, Braveheart, castles, Dover Castle, Edward I, French wars, Game of Thrones, Godwinsons, hats, Ironclad, James II, John, Knights Templar, Magna Carta, Marc Morris, Norman conquest, Robin Hood, Runnymede, Scotland, shield wall, Sir William wallace, taxation, Vikings, Waltheof, woad, women

… programmes and films about the Middle Ages, not actually made during them – which would require an even greater advance that the Viking discovery of America before Columbus … Here he discusses: The Game of Thrones (2013), Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves (1991), Ironclad (2013), The Last Kingdom (2015), Vikings (2013), Braveheart (1995)
Richard the Lionheart….or Richard the pain in the you-know-what….

May 12, 2022

anniversaries, battles, films

Crusades, Eleanor of Aquitaine, George Sanders, Henry II, History Extra, John, Nigel Terry, Peasants’ Revolt, Peter O’Toole, Richard I, Robin Hood, The Lion in Winter

Well, my first introduction to Richard the Lionheart was in the 1950s…one of the many Robin Hood movies of that period, He was noble and chivalrous (George Sanders, as I recall, see below), while Prince John was a Blue Meanie of the highest order. Nothing much has changed since then. My opinion of both men…
People believe Game of Thrones’ Jon Snow was real….!

May 4, 2022

anniversaries, battles, films, genealogy, television reviews

Battle of Bosworth, education, fictionalisation, Jon Snow, Kit Harrington, newsreaders, Tewkesbury, Towton

Oh, good grief…. This article proves what a dire black mark must be given to the teaching (or lack of it) in our schools! What are we to do when even the teachers don’t know what they’re teaching about? Nor does the writer of the article know anything, mentioning the battles of Bosworth Hill and…
Model Railways and Britain from Above….

Apr 12, 2022

buildings, films, television reviews

BBC4, Britain from above, filming, Middleham Castle, Pete Waterman, railways, Timeshift

On the BBC news channel recently there was an item about Pete Waterman (of Stock Aitkin and Waterman fame) and his beloved model railway, which is spectacular and will feature in an upcoming showing of Timeshift on BBC 4. The episode in question is in Series 12, episode 7 of 10, entitled “The…
Trial by combat proved nothing in the end….

Mar 19, 2022

battles, films, law, sources

Charles VI, Crusades, duel, France, Froissart, Jacques le Gris, Jean de Carrouges, Knights, Marguerite de Carrouges, Otterburn, rape, Scotland, siege of Nicopolis, Trial by combat, Turks, witchcraft

Trial by combat was a last-ditch method of proving one’s case. Of course, it didn’t prove innocence or guilt, just that one or other of the combatants was luckier/stronger on the day. Nor did trial by water prove a woman innocent of witchcraft, because it killed her no matter what the outcome. If…