Medieval Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A medieval mercenary kidnaps a noblewoman, accidentally starts a rebellion, and realizes kings are overrated, all while swinging a really big mace.

🍿 Medieval: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Setting the Stage: Political Intrigue in Bohemia

Set in the tumultuous 15th century, ‘Medieval’ plunges viewers into the heart of the Holy Roman Empire, fractured by power struggles. The film centers around Jan Zizka, a skilled mercenary, and the complex political landscape involving King Wenceslas of Bohemia and King Sigismund of Hungary. The narrative begins with the death of the emperor, igniting a fierce battle for control of the vacant throne.

Kidnapping and Shifting Allegiances

Zizka is enlisted by Lord Boresh to abduct Lady Katherine, the fiancée of Lord Rosenberg. This act is intended to thwart Rosenberg’s alliance with the corrupt King Sigismund. As Katherine is caught in the crossfire, Zizka finds himself questioning his long-held beliefs about the divine right of kings. Katherine’s own loyalties begin to waver as she witnesses the political machinations firsthand.

Love, Rebellion, and a Fight for the People

A bond forms between Zizka and Katherine, fueled by their shared desire to protect the common people. Zizka, disillusioned by the corruption he sees, decides to rebel against the established powers. He rallies a rebel army to confront the greed and betrayal that plague the empire, understanding that the future lies not with kings, but with the people he is sworn to protect. The stage is set for an action-packed conflict where Zizka uses innovative battlefield tactics and a burning desire to end tyranny.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Jan Zizka (Ben Foster): A daring mercenary leader who evolves into a righteous warrior as he confronts corruption and battles for the freedom of his people.
• Katherine (Sophie Lowe): A noblewoman caught in a political power struggle, whose strong spirit inspires Jan Zizka and fuels his rebellion.
• Lord Boresh (Michael Caine): A powerful nobleman who hires Jan Zizka, setting in motion a chain of events that leads to war.
• Rosenberg (Til Schweiger): A powerful lord whose ambition and engagement to Katherine drives the initial conflict and kidnapping plot.
• King Sigismund (Matthew Goode): The King of Hungary, embroiled in a battle for control of the Holy Roman Empire, representing corruption.
• Torak (Roland Møller): A formidable mentor-turned-opponent of Jan Zizka, representing the brutal realities of medieval warfare.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Jan Zizka: “Kings may be chosen by God, but they still make the mistakes of men.” – Zizka expresses his evolving view of leadership, questioning the infallibility of kings.
• Lord Boresh: “Tyranny.” – The opening narration sets the stage for the film’s themes of power and oppression.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $20.3 million
• Domestic Gross: $1,374,325
• Worldwide Gross: $4,420,183

💥 Medieval Reviews

Personal Review

As a fan of historical dramas, I was intrigued by Medieval. The battle scenes were intense and brutal, showcasing the harsh realities of the era. Ben Foster delivered a captivating performance as Jan Zizka. The romance felt a bit forced, and the plot got confusing at times, but overall, I enjoyed the film’s commitment to depicting a gritty medieval world. I was completely engrossed during the final battle scene. I’d recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical action films.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of historical action dramas”
  • “Viewers interested in medieval warfare”
  • “Those who enjoy films based on true stories, even with fictionalized elements”
  • “Admirers of Ben Foster’s acting”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic violence and gore”
  • “Mature themes”
  • “Brief nudity”

Professional Reviews

• IGN: “Medieval boasts impressive battle sequences and a committed performance from Ben Foster, but its convoluted plot and underdeveloped characters hinder its overall impact.
• Variety: “Petr Jakl’s ‘Medieval’ is a historical action drama starring Ben Foster, Michael Caine, and Sophie Lowe. A mercenary leader fights for the fate of an Empire, and the storyline contains a lot of corruption, greed, and betrayal.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “A gritty and violent historical drama that benefits from strong performances and realistic battle choreography, but struggles with pacing and a lack of emotional depth.

Audience Reactions

The realistic and brutal battle scenes were a major highlight for many viewers.: Most viewers appreciated the film’s commitment to historical accuracy and the performances of the lead actors, even though some noted issues with audio and the plot being convoluted.

Ben Foster’s performance as Jan Zizka was widely praised.: Many found the story confusing but still enjoyable. The general consensus is that, while flawed, Medieval is a decent historical action film worth watching once.

Overall Consensus: Medieval is a gritty and violent historical action film with impressive battle scenes and strong performances, but is hampered by a convoluted plot, weak audio and moments of pacing issues.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Medieval is the most expensive Czech film ever made, with a budget of $20 million.”
• “The film was shot on location in various historical sites in the Czech Republic to enhance authenticity.”
• “Director Petr Jakl also makes a small cameo appearance in the film.”

🖥️ How to Watch Medieval?

As of October 2024, ‘Medieval’ is available for purchase or rental on platforms such as Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Amazon Prime Video. Check local listings for potential availability on streaming services like Netflix, Hulu or Paramount+ as licensing agreements may vary. You may also be able to find it on demand via your cable provider.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Medieval, you might like these similar films:

• Braveheart (1995): Similar in its depiction of a historical warrior leading a rebellion against oppressive forces.
• Kingdom of Heaven (2005): Both films deal with medieval warfare, political intrigue, and religious conflict.
• Ironclad (2011): A gritty, violent depiction of a small group defending a castle against overwhelming odds.

🛒 Medieval Related Products

• Medieval Total War Gold Edition [PC Download]: Engage in grand strategy and real-time battles across Medieval Europe, leading armies and managing your kingdom in this classic strategy game.
• The Art of War: Sun Tzu’s timeless treatise on military strategy, providing insights into warfare and leadership, referenced in the film.
• Medieval Knight Action Figure Set: Highly detailed figures of medieval knights with authentic armor and weapons, perfect for display or historical reenactments.
• Medieval: A Graphic Novel: A graphic novel to dive deeper into the Middle Ages with engaging story, beautiful visuals, and historical accuracy.

🎧 Soundtrack

Medieval features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Main Theme” – performed by Philip Klein
• “Betrayal” – performed by Philip Klein
• “Battle of Grunewald” – performed by Philip Klein

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Ancient-Warfare Historian Rates 10 More Battle Scenes In Movies And TV | How Real Is It? | Insider

Ever wondered how realistic the battle scenes in ‘The Last Duel’ actually are? This historian breaks down the movie (among others) and points out what’s fact and fiction. I found it super interesting to see what they got right!

True Story of The Last Trial By Combat in France 600 Years Ago

The movie is based on a real trial by combat! Check out this video which dives into the real-life story from 600 years ago in France. It’s crazy how similar it is to the film!

✨ Rate