In the last 25 years, as far as I can tell since Quentin Tarantino arrived on the scene with Pulp Fiction, ‘medieval’ has been used as a term of insult – intended to convey a particularly brutal form of behaviour. There are plenty of historians of the Middle Ages who would take issue with that, but like many euphemisms, there is a truth that life in the period was harsh. We now have a film, unsubtly titled Medieval, that makes no attempt to change the narrative. Set in Bohemia it is based on the early life of the great and innovative commander Jan Žižka, brought to us by Petr Jákl, director of Kajínek. It’s admirable that the director has chosen such a great figure from the period, but also a man not well-known in the English-speaking world. Žižka was a brilliant leader, who fought the Hussite Wars of the early 15th century in what is now the Czech Republic, and was undefeated as a general.
Jan Žižka smites Teutons at the Battle of Grunwald in 1410
Medieval’s story deals with Žižka (a brooding Ben Foster), and his kidnap of his rival Rosenberg’s fiancé Katerina played by a beguiling Sophie Lowe. The operation is borne of internal court machinations instigated by the slimy Sigismund (Matthew Goode), intent on securing the crown from his brother Wenceslas IV (the always good Karel Roden). The great Michael Caine plays Žižka’s mentor, Boresh. The plot races along as we follow Žižka, Katherine and his band of outlaws attempt to evade Sigismund’s henchmen.
Medieval is the most expensive Czech film of all time, and it shows as the costume, castles and weaponry combine to give a convincing portrait of the period. Whilst some of the dialogue is a little simplistic, that’s not what the film is for. At its heart this is a rescue story between Žižka and Katerina, but there are wider themes, chief among which is that a well-motivated, and outnumbered army, with an inspirational leader, can overcome overwhelming odds. Events a little further to the east were in the mind of this viewer as the closing credits appeared.
Medieval is available to stream now on Amazon Prime.
Oliver Webb-Carter is the editor of Aspects of History. Why not take out an annual subscription for under £9.99?
