Rent Medieval (2022)

Bloody Historical Drama - Medieval review by GI

Apparently inspired by a real medieval warrior and set in Central Europe in the 15th century this is a Game Of Thrones and/or The Vikings influenced sword and blood film with the usual bone crunching fights and plenty of gory wounds and corpses to satisfy a fan of this stuff. The scenery is all grimy, mud caked forests and castles and there's plenty of confusing intrigue. Indeed the story becomes all a bit muddled but that is really irrelevant after a certain point because it becomes just a basic revenge narrative. In fact the story is essentially a Robin Hood one with all the stock characters in place but lacking the sense of romance and adventure. Ben Foster stars as Jan, a warlord for hire who becomes involved in the kidnap of a princess and fiancée to the bad guy, although there are at least two other bad guys. There's hangings, impalings, limb chop offs etc etc none of which is that exciting or new and even the presence of Michael Caine fails to life the film beyond a standard slash 'em and kill 'em film. They've stuck a bit of female nudity in there and all the men has a big bushy beard for good measure. It's ok but once seen you'll not want to watch it ever again.

Very confusing historical biopic about ZIZKA, hero of Bohemia, in early 15th C Czechia - Medieval review by PV

OK so for a start, I hope this is not Michael Caine's last film - he is 89 years old here, yet this really is a mediocre movie.

I know Bohemia and lived a year in Prague, near ZIZKOAV the area named after this ZIZKA early 15th C hero (where the massive TV tower that can be seen from all over the city is situated - looks like a rocket ship). I know and have visited the ZIZKA monument with ZIZKA on his horse up high which I have visited. I know the statue of protestant reformer Jan Huss in Old Town Square.

SO I know a lot of the history of that region, religious and political, AND YET even I was confused! So those unfamiliar with the history must be utterly baffled!

WHY could the producers not add a short film at the start explaining the history or some text - I have seen films like that. It would make sense here.

Sadly, the usual 'strong independent women' characters are shoehorned in, absurdly knocking out big man soldiers. And some colourblind casting nonsense. not TOO bad, however. Compared to Hollywood.

It is so-so but all a bit boring and confusing. VIKINGS is a better watch as a TV drama and maybe that is what this history period needs - a quality TV drama series, not a movie trying to tick Hollywood boxes.

2.5 stars rounded up to 3 - JUST. Only just.