Gritty Man-Films Set in the Dark Ages or Earlier

[Spyder-Dan]

Although the main character is a woman, how about The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc?

[Decado]

Originally Posted by Spyder-Dan

Although the main character is a woman, how about The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc?

Nah, if Kingdom of Heaven doesn't cut it than neither should The Messenger (not to mention it's terrible).

Not nearly enough of these types of movies.

[lucv13]

Here's a couple I have in my collection that haven't seen mentioned and if you don't mind subtitles and spending over 4 hours in a movie I definitely recommend Red Cliff (international edition)...

[Concat]

Yeah Red Cliff is pretty good. Has its faults and is a little too "Crouching Tiger" to fit the bill, but I love Samurai films too ( I know it's technically not about Samurai...)

Never seen Eagle. I'll have to check it out. Think it's better than Centurion?

[Morsoth]

We need Flesh + Blood on Blu-ray... I bought the DVD as a Blind buy years ago, and I was really impressed by the quality of the movie!

Centurion was a great blind buy too, and I consider buying The Eagle too! I love that kind of movie, I almost wish I'd lived in those times!!!

[Decado]

Originally Posted by Concat

Yeah Red Cliff is pretty good. Has its faults and is a little too "Crouching Tiger" to fit the bill, but I love Samurai films too ( I know it's technically not about Samurai...)

Never seen Eagle. I'll have to check it out. Think it's better than Centurion?

God no! It stars Tatum and is PG-13 :\ The Eagle was a complete joke and I want the time I spent watching it back.

Oh, another one that, to some degree, fits the bill:

Apocalypto - historical setting (new world) and totally bad-ass. Mel Gibson needs to get BERSERKER funded and on track. The guy is an amazing director of these types of films.

[NYGiants Fan]

Originally Posted by Wraithform

Brotherhood of the Wolf . . . only I don't think it has a Region A Blu release.

Excellent film though.

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Oh, to see Monica Belluci in all her glory on Blu. That one scene (with Samuel LeBihan) would be worth the price of admission. Although it was an overall excellent film (a bit contrived on the ending though), very reminiscent of the set up of 'Jaws". Early bloody and unseen attacks, and very slowly the monster shows itself.

[hamchuck1]

Sounds like that HBO show Game of Thrones would be right up your alley.

Very gritty and grey and great cinematography. And you never know who's gonna get it next. The first episode of the entire series is nuts

Game Of Thrones - trailer - YouTube

[Decado]

Originally Posted by NYGiants Fan

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Oh, to see Monica Belluci in all her glory on Blu. That one scene (with Samuel LeBihan) would be worth the price of admission. Although it was an overall excellent film (a bit contrived on the ending though), very reminiscent of the set up of 'Jaws". Early bloody and unseen attacks, and very slowly the monster shows itself.

Wasn't that scene cut in the NA version? Pretty sure it is in the extended director's cut. If the French blu wasn't region B locked, I'd have imported it by now. Love that movie.

[Kevin Holly]

Originally Posted by Concat

Never seen Eagle. I'll have to check it out. Think it's better than Centurion?

NOOOOOOO!!!!!! STAY AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!! SAVE YOURSELF!!!!!!!!!


Seriously. I hate to overact, but The Eagle is literally one of the worst films I have ever seen (probably in my bottom 20 ever), certainly the worst film of 2011. I think that guy put it there as a joke, especially seeing as how he put it right next to two awesome films - incidentally, Centurion is about pretty much the same thing, but it is not an abortion.

Seriously, even if you do not loathe Channing Tatum with a burning hatred like I do, the movie still is an abomination.


In other news, this is looking like its going to be a very nice thread (my kind of thing). I will take this time to recommend some:

Black Death - starring Sean Bean. I thought the movie was okay at best, but my cousin loves this movie (he's a huge Bean fan, though, so that's probably why), so you should probably give it a watch.

Conan the Barbarian - don't know if it's been said, but the original Schwarzenegger Conan was pretty good. The sequel sucks however, so stay away from that. The recent remake is okay, between the other two, but I do recommend the original. However, if it's sword and sorcery you want, perhaps something a little more obscure will help you out:

Deathstalker series - four movies, these aren't "epics" like a lot of the movies being suggested here, but they are manly and awesome

The Beastmaster - from the director of Phantasm. Just stay away from the sequel (it's one of those "....and then the thing comes to modern day New York through a time portal" movies, I personally hate films like that, but if you like that sort of thing, then give it a watch, I guess)

Ator - if you like cheesy, Italian, so bad its good films (these were made by Joe D'Amato), then you'll probably like these. The third one is also an unoffical Troll 3 as well.

Highlander - the first one especially. The sequels just get worse and worse and more unncessary.

The Pillars of the Earth (TV series) - leaving the barbarian/sword-and-sorcery genre, we turn to Medieval England. I actually haven't seen this yet, and a lot of people hate it, but my aunt and uncle and parents liked it. At any rate, the book is one of the best I ever read, you should read it.

Spartacus (1960) - just an epic film from Kubrick, what more do you need. And unlike the recent television program, it's not full of so much CGI and hyper-stylization that it sucks (sorry to any fans of the show, but I just don't like it).

Season of the Witch - not a very good film at all, but if you're a Cage completist like me, you've already seen in. If not, then don't bother.

And, of course....

Caligula - if you have no morals, this might be the one for you.


Also, this list might be useful: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...me_drama_films. Although it just lists films, it doesn't say if they are manly, or violent, or anything like that.



But seriously, and I cannot stress this enough: STAY AWAY FROM THE EAGLE.

[Decado]

Some interesting news for people in this thread:

http://collider.com/dwayne-johnson-h...1/#more-147571

I haven't read the Hercules comic, but I hear it is very bloody. This movie could be incredibly awesome if:

1) It's hard-R (50/50 at this point)
2) The script is good (total toss up)
3) Brett Ratner doesn't screw it up (uh, oh...)

The Rock is a perfect choice. This could be what we were all hoping for with last year's Conan the Barbarian.

[NYGiants Fan]

Originally Posted by Decado

Wasn't that scene cut in the NA version? Pretty sure it is in the extended director's cut. If the French blu wasn't region B locked, I'd have imported it by now. Love that movie.

Not sure about the edit, but assuming you are right. The only version I have (and have watched) is the 3 disc Collector's Edition (152 mins RT), while IMDB puts the RT at 142 mins. If I am watching the wrong version and there is more to see, then sign me up. Meanwhile it's back to "Tears of the Sun" and Monica Belluci in her sweaty and WAY TOO TIGHT jungle fatigues that are conveniently buttoned way too low.

[jsigafus]

A couple of medieval shows on blu ray that enjoyed I haven't seen mentioned:
Arn the Knight Templar
Robin of Sherwood Sets 1 and 2

[Kevin Holly]

Originally Posted by Decado

Some interesting news for people in this thread:

http://collider.com/dwayne-johnson-h...1/#more-147571

I haven't read the Hercules comic, but I hear it is very bloody. This movie could be incredibly awesome if:

1) It's hard-R (50/50 at this point)
2) The script is good (total toss up)
3) Brett Ratner doesn't screw it up (uh, oh...)

The Rock is a perfect choice. This could be what we were all hoping for with last year's Conan the Barbarian.

Oh, my. This is some wonderful news. Dwayne Johnson is turning into quite a badass action hero (when he doesn't do baffling and inexplicable family films, that is). And I absolutely agree that this, moreso that the literal new Conan, could be the new Conan.

[Concat]

Originally Posted by Kevin Enns

Black Death - starring Sean Bean. I thought the movie was okay at best, but my cousin loves this movie (he's a huge Bean fan, though, so that's probably why), so you should probably give it a watch.

Yeah I've seen it, and I loved it. That and Valhalla Rising got me wanting more. Both super gritty, and devoid of Hollywood cliches.

Thanks for the other recommendations. Never seen Deathstalker. There's tons of Sword and Scorcery B movies I haven't seen, though. They were a pretty big fad ever since Conan.

Another film I came across is called Sauna: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1124394/

Looks interesting and right up my ally.

[Concat]

Oh and I dunno about that Hercules movie. I like the Rock well enough, but Bret Ratner? The guy who's responsible for films like Rush Hour and Tower Heist?

It just reminds me of when Terminator 4 was announced and Mic G was slated to direct. It will be a popcorn movie... like the latest stinker - the Conan remake. And grit? There will be none, unless you count carefully placed dirt marks on pretty people's faces to be gritty.

[Taipan]

I'm setting Black Death into my price matcher.

[supercutz]

In case it got overlooked in a previous post:

EXCALIBUR!!!!

One of the best medieval/dark ages movies ever made.

[Variable_Star]

Originally Posted by Morsoth

We need Flesh + Blood on Blu-ray... I bought the DVD as a Blind buy years ago, and I was really impressed by the quality of the movie!

Had the exact same experience as you, and I couldn't agree more. It's an excellent, somewhat underrated film, with a great performance from Rutger Hauer.

[Concat]

I just saw Sauna (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1124394/) the other day.

It's a horror set in 16th century Russia/Sweden/Finland. Very gritty. Not a ton of action, but it's very brooding. I was genuinely creeped out by the end. Check it out.

Also, I have to check out Alatriste -> http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0395119/