Movies About Middle Ages

From Mel Gibson, starring Mel Gibson, Sophie Marceau, Patrick McGoohan, Angus Macfadyen
Rated R

Braveheart is a 1995 epic war film directed by Mel Gibson and starring Gibson as William Wallace, a late-13th-century Scottish warrior who led the Scots in the First War of Scottish Independence against King Edward I of England. The story is inspired by Blind Harry's epic poem The Actes and Deidis of the Illustre and Vallyeant Campioun Schir William Wallace. The film follows William Wallace's rebellion against the king in 1297, his marriage to Murron MacClannough, his tormenting of the English, and his eventual defeat at the Battle of Falkirk. After his execution, Wallace's legend continues to inspire the Scots and other freedom fighters. The film won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director. It was also nominated for seven other Oscars, including Best Actor for Gibson. The movie has since become one of the most iconic films in history and has been listed in the National Film Registry of the Library of Congress.

From Directors: Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones, starring Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Eric Idle, Terry Gilliam
Rated PG

Monty Python and the Holy Grail is a 1975 British comedy film directed by Terry Gilliam and Terry Jones. It stars Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Eric Idle, Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones, and Michael Palin. The film tells the story of King Arthur and his knights of the Round Table as they embark on a mission to seek the Holy Grail. Along the way, the knights encounter various obstacles and challenges, including a killer rabbit and a group of angry villagers. The film is filled with the trademark Monty Python humour, and is an enduring classic of British comedy.

From Ingmar Bergman, starring Max von Sydow, Gunnar Björnstrand, Bengt Ekerot, Nils Poppe
Rated Not Rated

The Seventh Seal is a 1957 Swedish drama film written and directed by Ingmar Bergman. Set in Sweden during the Black Death, the film centers around a knight named Antonius Block and his squire, Jöns. The two men return from the Crusades, only to find the country is being ravaged by the plague. As they journey home, they come across a group of traveling players and a witch. In despair at the suffering around him, Block seeks out Death, and the two engage in a chess game for his soul. As the game progresses, Block and Jöns are joined by various characters on their journey, and the chess game serves as a metaphor for the struggle between faith and despair. In the end, Block's faith is rewarded, and he and his companions are allowed to proceed on their journey.

From Peter Glenville, starring Richard Burton, Peter O'Toole, John Gielgud, Gino Cervi
Rated PG-13

Becket is a 1964 British-American historical drama film directed by Peter Glenville based on the play by Jean Anouilh. The film stars Richard Burton and Peter O'Toole as King Henry II and Thomas Becket, respectively, two powerful figures in 12th century England. After years of close friendship and loyalty, the two men find themselves on opposite sides when Henry appoints Becket as Archbishop of Canterbury. As Becket attempts to uphold the traditions of the Church and its teachings, he clashes with the authority of the King, sparking a bitter power struggle that eventually leads to Becket's martyrdom. The film features stunning photography, tight editing, and a powerful score by Laurence Rosenthal, as well as gripping performances by Burton and O'Toole that earned them both Academy Award nominations. The film was a critical success, winning three Academy Awards and was nominated for five more.

From Jean-Jacques Annaud, starring Sean Connery, Christian Slater, Helmut Qualtinger, Elya Baskin
Rated R

The Name of the Rose is a 1986 mystery-thriller film directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud and starring Sean Connery and Christian Slater. The film is set in an Italian monastery in the year 1327 and follows the Franciscan monk William of Baskerville and his novice Adso of Melk, as they investigate a series of mysterious deaths in the monastery. As they investigate, they uncover secrets that the monastery is desperately trying to keep hidden. With the help of a blind monk, they discover a forbidden book, which leads them on a dangerous journey into the depths of the abbey. Along the way, they must contend with the abbey's inquisitor, the Inquisition and a ruthless papal legate. As the mystery unravels, William must risk his own life to uncover the truth.

From Ridley Scott, starring Orlando Bloom, Eva Green, Liam Neeson, Martin Hancock
Rated R

From Anthony Mann, starring Charlton Heston, Sophia Loren, Raf Vallone, Geneviève Page
Rated Approved

From Richard Donner, starring Matthew Broderick, Rutger Hauer, Michelle Pfeiffer, Leo McKern
Rated PG-13

From Brian Helgeland, starring Heath Ledger, Mark Addy, Rufus Sewell, Shannyn Sossamon
Rated PG-13

From Kevin Reynolds, starring Kevin Costner, Morgan Freeman, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Christian Slater
Rated PG-13

From Kevin Reynolds, starring James Franco, Sophia Myles, Rufus Sewell, David O'Hara
Rated PG-13

From Richard Thorpe, starring Robert Taylor, Elizabeth Taylor, Joan Fontaine, George Sanders
Rated Approved

From Paul Verhoeven, starring Rutger Hauer, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Tom Burlinson, Jack Thompson
Rated R

From Directors: John McTiernan, Michael Crichton, starring Antonio Banderas, Diane Venora, Dennis Storhøi, Vladimir Kulich
Rated R

From Ridley Scott, starring Russell Crowe, Cate Blanchett, Matthew Macfadyen, Max von Sydow
Rated PG-13

From Vicente Aranda, starring Pilar López de Ayala, Daniele Liotti, Rosana Pastor, Giuliano Gemma
Rated R

From Paul McGuigan, starring Willem Dafoe, Paul Bettany, Marián Aguilera, Trevor Steedman
Rated R

From Luc Besson, starring Milla Jovovich, John Malkovich, Rab Affleck, Stéphane Algoud
Rated R

From Christopher Smith, starring Eddie Redmayne, Sean Bean, Carice van Houten, Kimberley Nixon
Rated R

From Jonathan English, starring Paul Giamatti, Jason Flemyng, Brian Cox, James Purefoy
Rated R

From Sturla Gunnarsson, starring Hringur Ingvarsson, Spencer Wilding, Stellan Skarsgård, Ingvar Sigurdsson
Rated R