Movies and Edged Weapons Pt. 2

FenrisWolf · 4th April 2007, 01:19 AM

Not to detract from all things Middle Eastern and SE Asian, but what are some of the better films as far as the European Dark Ages? I was just watching "The 13th Warrior" again, which is one of those that makes me crazy. It's one of the best made as far as capturing Norse attitudes and beliefs ("Your sword is too heavy? Grow stronger!") which is why I love the film, but the arms and armor are a complete nightmare. The viking swords have been given a growth hormone, turning them into two-handed swords, and the armor is a blend of everything from a Roman Gladiator's helm to a 16th century back-and-breastplate, complete with Milanese engraving. Oh, and you have to love Antonio Banderas grinding one of those oversized, double-edged viking broadswords down into a passable single-edged scimitar (that is now sharp enough to cut through a three inch branch with one blow!)

So, examples of reasonably accurate films set in and around the Norman conquest of England or the earlier Viking raids of the same? The only one that jumps to mind for me is 'The Warlord' starring Charlton Heston....

Emanuel · 4th April 2007, 02:20 AM

How about "Beowul and Grendel" with Gerard Butler? It's decent fun, but I don't know how accurate arms and armour are.
I think Danish, Swedish and Norwegian cinema has quite a lot of Norse epics that never see the light of day in the English-speaking world. Give IMDB a search and see what comes up.
I would love to see cinematic adaptations of some of the Icelandic Sagas. They make wicked story-telling.

Andrew · 4th April 2007, 06:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FenrisWolf

Not to detract from all things Middle Eastern and SE Asian, but what are some of the better films as far as the European Dark Ages? I was just watching "The 13th Warrior" again, which is one of those that makes me crazy. It's one of the best made as far as capturing Norse attitudes and beliefs ("Your sword is too heavy? Grow stronger!") which is why I love the film, but the arms and armor are a complete nightmare. The viking swords have been given a growth hormone, turning them into two-handed swords, and the armor is a blend of everything from a Roman Gladiator's helm to a 16th century back-and-breastplate, complete with Milanese engraving. Oh, and you have to love Antonio Banderas grinding one of those oversized, double-edged viking broadswords down into a passable single-edged scimitar (that is now sharp enough to cut through a three inch branch with one blow!)

So, examples of reasonably accurate films set in and around the Norman conquest of England or the earlier Viking raids of the same? The only one that jumps to mind for me is 'The Warlord' starring Charlton Heston....

Fenris, I fear you'll be dissappointed if you insist on weapon/armour accuracy in your movies.

For fun, check out the recent "King Arthur" with Kyra Knightly. A new movie is coming out soon about viking visitors to North America. Can't recall the name right now, but in the trailer it was taking the standard liberties.

Emanuel · 4th April 2007, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew

A new movie is coming out soon about viking visitors to North America. Can't recall the name right now, but in the trailer it was taking the standard liberties.

It's called Pathfinder. You'll laugh...or cry...most likely both.

David · 4th April 2007, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew

Fenris, I fear you'll be dissappointed if you insist on weapon/armour accuracy in your movies.

For fun, check out the recent "King Arthur" with Kyra Knightly. A new movie is coming out soon about viking visitors to North America. Can't recall the name right now, but in the trailer it was taking the standard liberties.

The new flick you are referring to Andrew is called Pathfinder. It is based on a graphic novel so you can bet that it will be visually beautiful and dreadfully inaccurate much as the terribly over-hyped 300 was. Hpoefully it will be better scripted and directed than that travesty and not insulting an entire ancient culture that was the foundation of modern civilization along the way.

But a quick viewing through the films picture gallery doesn't leave much room for accuracy. Looks pretty though.

http://www.pathfinderthemovie.com/

Rick · 4th April 2007, 03:25 PM

Looks like a great sword and shield movie; I saw the poster when I went to see 300.
Throw accuracy out the window and just enjoy the action.

The Wampanoag were just recently recognised by the US gov't; they are our local tribe here on Cabo Bacalau .

micas · 4th April 2007, 07:31 PM

Pathfinder looks like the Norte Americano version of Tarzan. And the Vikings are straight out of Frank Frazetta.

Check out Alatriste with Viggo Mortensen (Aragorn from LOTR). Spanish sword and dagger stuff in there. Interesting pike fighting at the end. "Looks" realistic.

Emanuel · 5th April 2007, 02:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by micas

Check out Alatriste with Viggo Mortensen (Aragorn from LOTR). Spanish sword and dagger stuff in there. Interesting pike fighting at the end. "Looks" realistic.

The book by Arturo Perez Reverte was good, and I heard the movie was all right.

ariel · 5th April 2007, 04:50 AM

I have only one word for you:
"300"

Marc · 5th April 2007, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Manolo

The book by Arturo Perez Reverte was good, and I heard the movie was all right.

It kind of depends on who you ask...

The sword and dagger duels were fairly OK, though, given the circumstances.
The final battle... well, let's not go into that.

4th April 2007, 03:25 PM	#6
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,336	Wampanoags Looks like a great sword and shield movie; I saw the poster when I went to see 300. Throw accuracy out the window and just enjoy the action. The Wampanoag were just recently recognised by the US gov't; they are our local tribe here on Cabo Bacalau .

4th April 2007, 01:19 AM	#1
FenrisWolf Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 181	Not to detract from all things Middle Eastern and SE Asian, but what are some of the better films as far as the European Dark Ages? I was just watching "The 13th Warrior" again, which is one of those that makes me crazy. It's one of the best made as far as capturing Norse attitudes and beliefs ("Your sword is too heavy? Grow stronger!") which is why I love the film, but the arms and armor are a complete nightmare. The viking swords have been given a growth hormone, turning them into two-handed swords, and the armor is a blend of everything from a Roman Gladiator's helm to a 16th century back-and-breastplate, complete with Milanese engraving. Oh, and you have to love Antonio Banderas grinding one of those oversized, double-edged viking broadswords down into a passable single-edged scimitar (that is now sharp enough to cut through a three inch branch with one blow!) So, examples of reasonably accurate films set in and around the Norman conquest of England or the earlier Viking raids of the same? The only one that jumps to mind for me is 'The Warlord' starring Charlton Heston....

4th April 2007, 02:20 AM	#2
Emanuel Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,242	How about "Beowul and Grendel" with Gerard Butler? It's decent fun, but I don't know how accurate arms and armour are. I think Danish, Swedish and Norwegian cinema has quite a lot of Norse epics that never see the light of day in the English-speaking world. Give IMDB a search and see what comes up. I would love to see cinematic adaptations of some of the Icelandic Sagas. They make wicked story-telling.

4th April 2007, 07:31 PM	#7
micas Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 30	Pathfinder looks like the Norte Americano version of Tarzan. And the Vikings are straight out of Frank Frazetta. Check out Alatriste with Viggo Mortensen (Aragorn from LOTR). Spanish sword and dagger stuff in there. Interesting pike fighting at the end. "Looks" realistic.

5th April 2007, 04:50 AM	#9
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	I have only one word for you: "300"