The Middle Ages and the Movies: Eight Key Films

The Middle Ages and the Movies explores how eight significant films of the twentieth century have shaped our view of medieval history, examining their historical accuracy, cultural impact, and the influence of censorship and political ideology.

Format: Hardback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 16 May 2022
Publisher: Reaktion Books

The Middle Ages and the Movies: A Fresh Look at How Our View of Medieval History Has Been Shaped by Eight Significant Films of the Twentieth Century
Historian Robert Bartlett offers a compelling exploration of how our perception of medieval history has been influenced by eight notable films from the twentieth century. The book delves into a range of films, including Mel Gibson's Braveheart, Fritz Lang's silent masterpiece Siegfried, the art-house classic The Seventh Seal, Andrei Rublev by Tarkovsky, and the epic historical drama El Cid. Bartlett examines the historical accuracy of these films, as well as other significant aspects such as the translation of Umberto Eco's Name of the Rose from page to screen, the humor of Monty Python and the Holy Grail, and the impact of the Stalinist tyranny on Eisenstein's Alexander Nevsky.

Braveheart, directed by Mel Gibson, is a historical drama that tells the story of William Wallace and the Scottish Wars of Independence. The film is known for its epic battle scenes and its portrayal of the struggle for Scottish independence. However, Bartlett argues that Braveheart's historical accuracy is often questionable. For example, the film portrays the Scots as a unified nation, when in reality they were divided into several kingdoms. Additionally, the film's portrayal of the Battle of Stirling Bridge is inaccurate, as the Scots were actually defeated by the English.

Fritz Lang's silent masterpiece Siegfried is a film that explores the themes of love, power, and revenge. The film is set in the mythical world of Norse mythology and features a powerful performance by Max von Sydow as the title character. Lang's use of symbolism and imagery is masterful, and the film's soundtrack is haunting. However, Bartlett argues that Siegfried's historical accuracy is also questionable. For example, the film's portrayal of the Norse gods is inaccurate, as they were not actually worshipped in the way that they are depicted in the film.

The Seventh Seal, directed by Ingmar Bergman, is a film that explores the themes of faith, death, and the afterlife. The film is set in the medieval period and features a powerful performance by Max von Sydow as the priest who encounters a mysterious woman who predicts the end of the world. The film's use of symbolism and imagery is masterful, and the film's soundtrack is haunting. However, Bartlett argues that The Seventh Seal's historical accuracy is also questionable. For example, the film's portrayal of the medieval church is inaccurate, as it was not as corrupt as it is depicted in the film.

Andrei Rublev, directed by Andrei Tarkovsky, is a film that explores the themes of art, spirituality, and the human condition. The film is set in the medieval period and features a powerful performance by Anatoly Solonitsyn as the title character. Tarkovsky's use of long takes and slow motion is masterful, and the film's soundtrack is haunting. However, Bartlett argues that Andrei Rublev's historical accuracy is also questionable. For example, the film's portrayal of the medieval church is inaccurate, as it was not as corrupt as it is depicted in the film.

El Cid, directed by Anthony Mann, is a film that tells the story of the Spanish hero Rodrigo Diaz de Bivar. The film is set in the medieval period and features a powerful performance by Charlton Heston as the title character. Mann's use of historical detail is masterful, and the film's soundtrack is haunting. However, Bartlett argues that El Cid's historical accuracy is also questionable. For example, the film's portrayal of the Spanish conquest of the Moors is inaccurate, as it was not as successful as it is depicted in the film.

In addition to examining the historical accuracy of these films, Bartlett also explores other salient aspects such as the translation of Umberto Eco's Name of the Rose from page to screen, the humor of Monty Python and the Holy Grail, and the impact of the Stalinist tyranny on Eisenstein's Alexander Nevsky. Eco's Name of the Rose is a novel that explores the themes of religion, philosophy, and the human condition. The film's translation from page to screen is masterful, and the film's soundtrack is haunting. However, Bartlett argues that the film's portrayal of the medieval church is inaccurate, as it was not as corrupt as it is depicted in the film. Monty Python and the Holy Grail is a comedy film that explores the themes of religion, politics, and the human condition. The film's humor is based on a series of absurd situations and characters, and the film's soundtrack is haunting. However, Bartlett argues that the film's portrayal of the medieval church is inaccurate, as it was not as corrupt as it is depicted in the film. Eisenstein's Alexander Nevsky is a film that explores the themes of war, politics, and the human condition. The film's portrayal of the medieval church is accurate, as it was a powerful institution in the medieval period. However, the film's portrayal of the Stalinist tyranny is inaccurate, as it was not as brutal as it is depicted in the film.

In conclusion, The Middle Ages and the Movies is a fascinating book that offers a fresh look at how our view of medieval history has been shaped by eight significant films of the twentieth century. Bartlett's examination of the historical accuracy of these films is masterful, and his exploration of other salient aspects is insightful. While some of these films may be inaccurate, they remain important works of art that have had a significant impact on our understanding of the past.

Weight: 498g
Dimension: 147 x 223 x 30 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781789145526