Top 10 Fantasy Mittelalter Filme | Wiegand von Marburg

Answer my question. What is the most beautiful thing in a man's life? A wide steppe. A fast horse. The falcon on his fist. And the wind in his hair. WRONG! Conan, you tell me. To fight with the enemy. To pursue and destroy him. And to rejoice at the scream of the women. Good. Very good. Hello and welcome to a new vegan video. A few months ago I already made a video about sword and spear fighting in a movie. And with that I already showed that I'm a big fan of movies. Or a movie nerd, if you want. And then of course there were comments from you who made other suggestions. And who, above all, showed that you are also interested in the topic. And that many of you are also familiar with the subject and are movie fans. And then I thought to myself, let's see what else we can put together in this area. Of course, as always with such a topic, spoiler alert beforehand. Although I definitely always make sure not to reveal any end to anyone. Or special exciting places. And many of the films that I mention here are so old that you could have already known them. Nevertheless, I know that some people don't want to be told by someone else what's going on in a movie or TV series. Therefore, if you belong to these people, then this video is of course not the right one for you. So today it's about fantasy middle age. What do I mean by that? I mean a medieval setting on the one hand. But on the other hand, typical fantasy elements. So the moment a dragon appears in it. Or wizards, witches, trolls, some kind of cobalt people. Or other fantasy elements. Then it's definitely a fantasy setting. And what does it still identify as medieval? It's not that easy. I would say we always recognize a medieval world on a few very typical cornerstones. There is a feudal society system. So there are princes and there are kings and there are farmers. And there is maybe something like a cleric who also has a special position. Typically feudal system. Secondly, it is somehow pre-industrial. So we don't see an industrial, as always, type of production that would be typical for a modern society. Yes, we see craftsmen, we see a blacksmith knocking something. We might see a farmer working in the field or something. But definitely no one who builds something in a factory. Or maybe sits in an office in an administration office and does his day job there. So, second cornerstone. Third cornerstone, and it's actually historically not right at all. The firearms are missing. Almost always. The moment there is cannon fodder, it is no longer considered medieval. Although that's not true at all. So in the real late Middle Ages, of course, there were firearms. The first handguns, the first cannons. And something similar like bombs, for example, for a siege. This is missing in many medieval settings. And the moment that's missing, we say, okay, that must have been before the Neolithic. That's cornerstone number three. And the fourth is, of course, instead of firearms, we have something to do with blank weapons. Swords, spears, bows, mostly. Maybe an armrest. And these typical, for us as medieval, identifiable weapons. So, I have now put together my ten favorite fantasy medieval films. Which then maybe give you a few tips. You probably know a few things. A few things are maybe a rediscovery or even brand new to you. One more thing. I deliberately avoided going back more than 40 years. So everything from the 70s, 60s, 50s or 40s, I deliberately left out. Although there are guaranteed to be ten more films that could also be called classics. Or that I can still think of. But I didn't want to go back too far into the history of film. So that means it starts as early as 1982. And I wish you a lot of fun with it. The first film I have on my list, number 10, is actually from the year of production 1982. So number 10, Conan the Baba. Actually a B-movie from the beginning and also somehow trashy today. If you look at it again today, it's not well aged. It wasn't a particularly high-class film back then. And yet it is legendary. Arnold Schwarzenegger put it in the first row of the action stars. So even before Terminator actually. And started a whole wave of similar films. Of course Red Sonja and well, some of them were re-shot later. There is, for example, a Conan with Jason Momoa, which I haven't seen myself yet. But maybe I'll take a look at it soon. Anyway, actually this Conan from 1982 has many of the elements that I told at the beginning in my definition of fantasy medieval. There are no dragons and there are actually no trolls or kobolds or the like. But it's such a low-level fantasy. So there's a bit of magic in it. And of course this whole world is completely made up. None of it was ever even close to historical. So Conan the Barbarian is basically the essence of muscle and sword movies. And in my opinion, it also started an absolutely negative development. Namely the so-called sword-like objects, which are still hanging on the wall today as decorative items. So swords that are actually quite unsuitable for swords. Which have some kind of spikes, strange shapes and a design that is actually completely unsuitable for swords. But in Conan it has become quite popular. And well, one or the other thinks to himself, if I have that thing on the wall, then I'm such a little bit of Conan. If you want to get involved today, don't take it that seriously. I don't think they took themselves that seriously back then. Number 9, a TV series. I have deliberately included not only films, but also TV series in the list. Because they are really equal today. I believe that the TV series today have almost overtaken both the number of viewers and sometimes the quality of the movies. So why not include a few old TV series right away? Of course, number 9 is the Nibelungen. Namely the TV series from 2004. Directed by Uli Edel. The Siegfried is played by Benno Führmann. And as I think, not so bad. That can definitely be found on the net. And yes, of course it is not the classic of the 1920s, but it is modernized to some extent. And has a few really good elements in it. So yes, it is definitely worth being included in my list. Also a TV series, but for Netflix. The Witcher. To be honest, I'm not such a huge fan of The Witcher. Because I didn't play the game and didn't read the books. But I did watch the first season. And I see a lot of light and shadow. Some of it is really good. Henry Cavill as the main actor, for example, I really like. On the other hand, for people who are not fans, the story is incredibly blurry. And partly also long-windedly staged. You should have punished a lot. And maybe make it a little clearer for all those who are not familiar with it before. Well, as I said, there are quite a few reasons why you can watch it. It's really entertaining. Also the effects, for example. Also a few fighting scenes. Not bad at all. But I would still put it all the way down on the list. Because, well, you could do a lot better. On the 7th place, in my opinion, a real little jewel. Willow. From the year 1988. Directed by Ron Howard. With Warwick Davis as the main actor. And Val Kilmer on his side. And Joanne Wally, who was still called Wally at the time. And later Wally Kilmer. So they probably met on set. And you can see that a little bit. That's quite nice. Between the two. I already found the film really good when it came out. Because at the time I already wished for a Lord of the Rings. And it came and came and didn't come. And Willow was a little bit in that direction. And relatively well equipped. With a good story. And had almost all the elements that I actually knew from classic fantasy books. So witches and magic spells. And little kobolds and the like. Of course, nowadays you can also see a little bit. That the tooth of time has nailed the film. There is no real CGI yet. But you can see a lot about that. And I think, as I said, the film has a lot of charm. And it is absolutely suitable for children. I have seen it with my children again and again years ago. And I think you can still do that with good conscience today. On the six. Biowulf and Grendel. From the year 2005. The film did not arrive very well at the box office. So you can almost say flopped. And to be honest, I don't understand it. I thought it was really good. The equipment was great. The acting performance was good. And I basically saw the classic Biowulf material interpreted in my own way. Which I think is really, really good. The film was directed by Sturla Gunnarsson. Sturla Gunnarsson. Main character is Jared Butler. Stellan Skarsgård, as always, plays the role of Rutger. Great. On the side of Jared Butler. Sarah Polley, who, as I think, also does great. If there were not these fantasy elements in it, the film would even be in my top ten medieval films. We have really classic armor from the turn of the century here. Swords that go with it. Chain mail and not some over-candied armor that could not exist. So there's a lot going on. And I think that underlines the credibility of the history of this old material. So my tip. If you haven't seen it yet, be sure to watch it. Number five. Actually the same material, but prepared completely differently. The Thirteenth Warrior. Also not particularly successful at the box office. Allegedly even Omar Sharif, who has a small side role in the film, said he would have liked not to have accepted the offer. So that he played in this film again. Probably bothered him. I don't quite understand why. Because the film has an incredible amount of drive. So the dramaturgy is just great. And I also know from many reenactors and medieval fans that the Thirteenth Warrior is always on their top film list. Although the armor, the weapons, also partly the fighting style is actually totally anachronistic. There are the strangest helmets in it and chest plates of a Viking prince and the like. Okay, sometimes you have to close your eyes a bit. But otherwise incredibly exciting. I think it's a great way to show how someone learns a language. But okay, I don't want to spoil anything. For all of you who haven't seen it yet. On a gray weekend, as there have been more often lately. Be sure to watch it. It's still fun. Number four. Another TV series. It's just unavoidable. In the fantasy area, Game of Thrones also has to be included. I know. The last season they somehow... Can I say fucked up? No, right? Disappointing for the fans? The last season was disappointing for the fans. Or at least some of it. The penultimate one partly already. And that's really crap, of course. If you end up with such a popular series. So in the crutches. That's why it's difficult for me to recommend the whole thing. But still. In the meantime, it has great moments. Great dialogues. Great battle scenes. Battle scenes. Tension. In some scenes, Game of Thrones is perhaps closer to the Middle Ages. Than some Middle Ages movies. Because all these family relationships. Also the way politics is done. That, for example, the women were by no means so powerless. As it always looks like in the history books. That they mixed up quite a lot. Even if they were not necessarily regent or king by title. All these things are very well described in Game of Thrones. Also the brutality that such a battle with sword actually brings with it. And that violence was fully accepted as a means of politics. That becomes very, very clear in Game of Thrones. And often in a really entertaining way. So if you pinch your eyes in the last season. And also turn off the brain a bit. The rest is still worth seeing. By the way, I also made a video about it. I'll link it again below. If you are even more interested in it. Or at least my opinion on it. I can only say, I had a lot of fun watching it back then. And I think it's still worth seeing. Number three on the list may be a surprise for you. Because I don't know if so many of you really know the film. But it is definitely worth seeing. And that is Rolle Ja Räubertochter. Actually a children's film. The book is by Astrid Lindgren. It was shot in 1984 by Tage Danielson. So a Swedish production. And take a look at how they are dressed in the film. That beats every medieval market around Lengen. That's almost perfect Viking reenactment. So if you dress your children like that. And go over the market with it. Definitely in the upper class. So apart from that, of course, typically. The children are smarter and braver in the film. And sometimes wiser than the adults. Typical Astrid Lindgren. And of course the whole thing has a really great story. You have to watch it. And of course it is absolutely suitable for children. So if you have children who can already watch TV. Take the time for Rolle Ja Räubertochter at some point. That is a must, so to speak. In the meantime, Honorable Mentions, as they say. Here I definitely have the Highlander with me. Once the film, the first one, of course. There can only be two. From 1986. Directed by Russell Mulcahy. It just doesn't quite fit into my middle-aged list. Because it jumps so much through the times. It is only used in the middle ages once in a while. And otherwise, of course, a lot of modern and other times. So yes, on the one hand it doesn't quite fit into the list, as I said. On the other hand, of course, it is the mother of all sword films. I already mentioned it in the video about film sword fights. I linked it below again. Highlander is just a classic and will remain one. Even if it is perhaps not so well aged from today's point of view. Which you have to admit. And I also want to mention the TV series. So Highlander, the TV series that started in 1992. With Adrian Paul as the main actor. Adrian Paul, who, as far as I know, was originally a dancer. And I've said it before. Dancers are often good sword fighters. Because they have a natural feeling for rhythm, for balance. Are mostly very well trained physically. And these are all prerequisites for a sword fight. You can also see that in examples like Gene Kelly. Or others who were originally able to dance. And then learn to fight. And that's usually pretty good. So if you don't know anything else on such a long gray weekend. Highlander, the series, might be another tip. On number two. Maybe a little surprising. The Hobbit. I know there are actually three films. I count here as one film. And I think it should have been just one film. Incidentally, I found a great version on the net. From a hobbyist who cut the whole thing together. So everything that is not actually in the book. Because the book, as some know, is actually just so thick. And a children's book. And maybe Peter Jackson would have done better. To actually stage the film as a children's film. But then of course he would not have had the huge audience success. Well, still. To blow up such a small book. And with so many side stories that don't actually belong in it. The story didn't do that well. The dramaturgy didn't do that well. The inner logic of the film didn't do that particularly well either. I would have left out a lot. And yet I put him on the list of two. Because on the other hand, he also has a lot of good points. Martin Freeman as the main actor is of course great. And you can hardly imagine a better hobbyist. He does it in this mixture of courage. And sometimes despair. And just doubt. And then again this typical mother joke that he has. Martin Freeman is simply the best choice as the main actor. On his side, of course, Ian McKellen and Richard Armitage. And after that Luke Evans. So a few really big names. And I think, yes, the Hobbit just has to be on the list. And maybe he's still much, much better than most other productions. Even if he has weaknesses. Yes, and then you can already guess what's on my number one. Completely clear. The Lord of the Rings. In the direction of Peter Jackson. Started in 2001. And of course he has rightly dusted off so many Oscars. Because to count the actors alone here. That would already break the framework of the video. And this incredibly aggressive preparation. The set designs. The effects that were groundbreaking at the time. And of course this incredibly great story. Which is probably a work of a century. And probably such a film cannot be repeated so quickly. Even if Amazon now tries a little bit. To take the momentum from it again. Or maybe revive it. Yes, I don't know if that can be done. The Lord of the Rings is already absolutely outstanding as a book. Has just with these three films. Found a congenial visual adaptation. What can I say? The thing has to be on the number one. If you have a different opinion. Write it in the comments. If you know a film that I have forgotten. Write it in the comments. If you say the order is not right at all. That has to go there. And that has to go there. Of course write that. I always like to read it through. I like to discuss with you. And of course I always like to learn something. If there is a secret tip in there. I don't know myself yet. Then that would be great of course. So I'm looking forward to your reactions. I am happy that you have watched here at all. Next time it will be about a topic. That on the one hand is not spectacular. On the other hand somehow indispensable. Namely belts. So everyone needs them. That's why I just show what I have. And where I think what to which epoch. Which representation fits best. Maybe you are also interested in that. I would be very happy if you would be there again. So until then. Bye. Can I say fucked up? No.