Xathrodox86 reviews: "Black Death" with Sean Bean!

It's finally here. Light your pyres and crack open a casket of finest ale, because I've finally watched "Black Death", a incredibly dark and gritty medieval horror movie. Was it worth the wait?

In short: yes, yes it was. I was captivated by "Black Death" from start to finish, especially since it just oozes the grim and perilous atmosphere, which I hold especially dear to my heart. This is a movie which perfectly shows the difference between the American and European approach to medieval cinema. Throughout the whole experience the audience can almost taste the dirt, muck and shit which are omnipresent in "Black Death". They can almost smell the stench of grime and feces, of unwashed bodies and death hanging in the air. I love American cinema, but Europe simply does movies like this better.

Who is the mysterious lady in red?

Do note that it's an ugly movie. It has ugly people in it (even the normally super hot Eddie Redmayne is shown as a dirty, disheveled man), ugly places, and it shows the ugliest side of humanity - our penchant for savagery, cruelty, sadism and fanaticism. There are no "good guys" here. Everyone, both the heroes, and those they encounter during their mission are ugly. Dario Poloni and Christopher Smith, the pair of blokes who wrote this movie (although Smith, who also directed it, is uncredited in this) really brought up the worst part of our nature, and paraded it throughout the 2+ hours of "Black Death". This isn't easy to watch, and not only because of the extremely visceral and realistic violence (no CGI here!), but also because it shows just how low can a person sank, when gripped by rage, whether self-righteous or not. Be mindful of that, before you watch it. Oh, and I advise you not to eat during the screening. Trust me, you'll be better for it.

The action of "Black Death" takes place in the 14th century medieval England, during the epidemic of, well, Black Death. As if the title didn't gave this one away, eh? A young monk named Osmund, played by Eddie Redmayne, volunteers to lead a group of soldiers, commanded by a stern and uncompromising Ulric, played by the always awesome Sean Bean, to a remote village, which is said to be free of the plague. The local bishop suspects that the villagers are in league with the devil and are using necromantic practices to stave off the fould desease, and so our heroes journey through the plague-ridden countryside to discover the truth. Osmund, who's in love with a girl named Averill, is also seeking a sign from God, about what should he do next. Should he remain faithful to his creed, or should he follow his heart and desire.

The cast of the movie is incredibly solid. We have the aformentioned Sean Bean and Eddie Redmayne, as our main protagonists. There's also my main man, John Lynch, portraying an aging and decent soldier named Wolfstan. He's one of the few likable characters in this flick, in that he tries to remain honorable and just in the face of the encroaching horror. Others in the group are not so nice, however. We have a mentally challenged berserker, a torturer, a scoundrel-like, shady looking fellow, and a couple of others. The movie does a good job of fleshing each of them out a bit, so we do care when some of them eventually go to join their maker.

The villagers, on the other hand are a creepy lot. They are secretive, kind people, but it's obvious from the very beginnig that something is very, very wrong with them. I won't spoil anything, you'll just have to watch the movie yourselves to find out more.

Action-wise "Black Death" is conservative but solid, when it comes to actual fights. There's no fancy sword play here. The limbs are flying, the guts fall to the ground, and people die in pain. That's how warfare looked in those times, and Smith really delivers the goods, when it comes to close combat. Some of the deaths are downright disturbing, as are the boils infesting the armpits and necks of plague victims. Makeup and costumes are incredibly well made in "Black Death", and easily one of its biggest strengths.

Look at the state of his teeth! There was no colgate in middle ages

The music is haunting and used almost sparsely. It's there, but it's so in the background that you almost don't acknowledge its presence. That's not a bad thing, as the eerie and melancholic soundtrack works wonders with the cinematography, helping to create and unforgettable, but also very unsettling experience.

This is a sad movie. There is no "good" in it, only misery, death and the ending... oh my, the ending. It can leave a man depressed. It is, however, a very solid picture, and a one definitely worth watching. The acting is solid, the cinematography and music excellent, and the plot engaging and captivating. Give "Black Death" a shot. You won't be dissapointed. It's also very WFRP-like, and I can easily see it being an inspiration for a lengthy adventure, which will test each PC's morality and conviction. I will certainly rewatch it in the future.

The best part of this post is that I can finally lay the "Sean Bean is getting angry at me" joke to rest. Finally.

Next up we have an interview! This time with not one, but two mysterious gentlemen. You'll have to wait for it, but I guarantee you - it's worth it.

You're in for a treat!

Until next time!

Xathrodox86