Summary
- Relive ancient battles in awe with the best medieval movies that blend history with fantasy and heroic tales.
- From a dark, revenge-filled road to a king’s rise, these films ensure the medieval past remains vivid and thrilling.
- Dive into the captivating cinematic world of knights and royalty to witness historical epics with clever twists and powerful performances.
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The best medieval movies showcase why films filled with knights, castles, swords and (sometimes) sorcery have always been popular with audiences. Good medieval movies require endless research to prevent them from becoming inaccurate, huge budgets to cater to the elaborate sets, costumes, and props required, and must often strike a balance between staying true to history and entertaining a modern audience. It’s certainly no easy feat. Despite the difficulties, the best medieval movies have been incredibly successful, both commercially and critically. From A Knight’s Tale to Henry V to The Name of the Rose, the best medieval movies are must-watches for any film fan.
The medieval period is fertile ground for epic tales of glory on the battlefield and romanticized reimaginings of historical events. High fantasy stories set in fictional worlds seem to be much more prevalent, but, as great as Lord of the Rings or Game of Thrones may be, they shouldn’t be a complete replacement for the medieval setting. Still, from the pioneering years of cinema in the first half of the twentieth century to the huge blockbusters of the modern day, there are more than a few of the best medieval movies that are more than worthwhile.
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Well-made medieval war movies are few and far between, but there are some gems that have slipped under the radar, particularly in recent years.
25 Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves (1991)
Robin Hood Stands As One Of The Most Renowned Legends From The Medieval Period
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Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves
PG-13
Action
Adventure
Drama
Romance
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Director Kevin Reynolds Release Date June 14, 1991 Writers Pen Densham , John Watson Cast Kevin Costner , Morgan Freeman , Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio , Christian Slater , Alan Rickman , Geraldine McEwan Runtime 143 minutes Main Genre Action
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When it comes to recurring historical figures who’ve featured in multiple medieval movies, few names stand out more than Robin Hood, the folklore hero from the UK who was known as a highly skilled archer. Robin Hood first appeared in stories in the 13th and 14th centuries and continues to be an incredibly iconic character. There are a lot of movies based on the man who stole from the rich and gave to the poor, but the most popular version is the 1991 Kevin Costner movie, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.
The film retells Robin’s story as he returns home from the Third Crusade and finds his father dead at the hands of the evil Sheriff of Nottingham, who has plans to take the throne for himself. This movie has a lot going for it, including a wonderful villain turn from Alan Rickman and the Sherrif. It also won a Grammy for Best Song.
24 Outlaw King (2018)
Robert Initiates His Rebellion Following The Death Of William Wallace
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Outlaw King
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Director David Mackenzie Release Date November 9, 2018 Cast Stephen Dillane , Tony Curran , James Cosmo , Aaron Taylor-Johnson , Steven Cree , Alastair Mackenzie , Sam Spruell , Billy Howle , Florence Pugh , Chris Pine , Duncan Lacroix , Callan Mulvey Runtime 137 Minutes
The Netflix original medieval movie Outlaw King is almost a spiritual sequel to Braveheart. Both sit among the best medieval movies, with Chris Pine starring in Outlaw King as Robert the Bruce. While not exactly historically accurate, Outlaw King shows Robert starting his rebellion immediately after William Wallace’s death. The cast of Outlaw King is especially noteworthy too, with Chrise Pine joined by the likes of Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Florence Pugh, among others.
In reality, the rebellion started a year later, but this was still a good follow-up, although not quite up to the level of Braveheart. The ending of Outlaw King has also left plenty of viewers talking about it long after the credits rolled. Critics highlighted the quality of its many battle scenes, and so Outlaw King will definitely appeal to fans of the genre who enjoy medieval movies for the clash and clangs of steel-on-steel and armored warriors.
23 The Virgin Spring (1960)
An Exploration Of The Hardships Of Life In The Dark Ages
The Virgin Spring (1960)
Director Ingmar Bergman Release Date February 8, 1960 Cast Max Von Sydow , Birgitta Valberg , Gunnel Lindblom , Birgitta Pettersson , Axel Düberg Runtime 90 Minutes
Not all movies set in medieval times are about wars and battles. Often, movies are set in the medieval era to show the living conditions and atmosphere of the dark ages. In the case of The Virgin Spring, this Ingmar Bergman movie was set in Medieval Sweden and showed the hardships that ordinary people faced when living during the 13th century.
The plot of The Virgin Spring is also a thrilling tale of revenge. Christian Per Töre sent his daughter to take candles to the church. However, on her way there, she comes across three men who then sexually assault and murder her. These three then take shelter at her father’s home and when he realizes what they did, he exacts his own revenge. The movie won an Oscar and Wes Craven remade it as The Last House on the Left.
22 Alexander Nevsky (1938)
Regarded As One Of The Finest Russian War Films Ever Produced
Alexander Nevsky (1938)
Director Sergei Eisenstein , Dmitriy Vasilev Release Date November 24, 1938 Cast Nikolai Cherkasov , Nikolai Okhlopkov , Andrei Abrikosov , Valentyna Ivashova , Lev Fenin Runtime 109 Minutes
Released in 1938, the great Sergei Eisenstein directed AlexanderNevsky, his first movie in the sound era and his first release in nine years. He received this opportunity when the Soviet film star Boris Shumyatsky offered up the biopic subject, who was a 13th-century warrior-saint who defeated the German knights of the Teutonic Order.
Given the era the film was made, this medieval movie is defintiely a release that’s more suited for diehard fans of the genre. However, it is still considered one of the best Russian war movies ever made, with an incredible look at devastated cities and battlefields, all while Nevsky led his troops to defend his country from foreign invaders. The movie remains highly praised and even has a Criterion Collection release.
21 The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die (2023)
A Follow-Up Film Inspired By The Netflix Television Series
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The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die
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Director Edward Bazalgette Release Date April 14, 2023 Cast Alexander Dreymon , Harry Gilby , Mark Rowley , Arnas Fedaravicius , Cavan Clerkin , James Northcote , Laurie Davidson , Elaine Cassidy Runtime 111 minutes
A sequel movie based on the Netflix TV series, which itself was based on the medieval Viking novels by Bernard Cornwell, The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die provided a suitable end-point for the narrative in the perfect way. The show was extremely popular and when Netflix ended it, so the addition of a feature film to round off the story was welcomed by fans. However, Seven Kings Must Die also stands as a solid medieval movie in its own right.
The only thing that really hurts this medieval movie is that it is almost like the final season of The Last Kingdom but condensed to two hours. With that said, it has the same amazing battles, a nice budget for effects, and a satisfying ending for all the characters from the series. Critics especially noted the cinematography of Seven Kings Must Die, as well as the performances of the cast — in particular Pekka Strang as the warrio-king of the Dane, King Anlaf.
20 The Green Knight (2021)
Dev Patel Leads The Cast Of One Of The Most Stylish Medieval Movies
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The Green Knight
R
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Director David Lowery Release Date July 30, 2021 Cast Dev Patel , Emilie Hetland , Ralph Ineson , Helena Browne , Alicia Vikander , Joel Edgerton , Erin Kellyman , Barry Keoghan , Anthony Morris , Sean Harris , Kate Dickie , Sarita Choudhury Runtime 125 minutes
Though it was somewhat overlooked when it was released, 2021’s The Green Knight will likely become a beloved favorite of fans of medieval movies in years to come. The movie stars Dev Patel as Gawain, a young and ambitious knight who finds himself on a quest to prove his nobleness when he is challenged by the mysterious Green Knight. The Green Knight received several accolades and nominations, including a Critics Choice Super Award win for Dev Patel.
The Green Knight adapts the poem “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight” and includes fantasy elements just as the source material did. However, it is also a medieval tale that deconstructs tales of heroes and holds an impressive 89% Rotten Tomatoes rating. Much of the praise from critics for The Green knight focuses on how it adapted the source material, with many reviewers celebrating how it takes the original poem and turns it into an incredibly modern narrative format.
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19 The King (2019)
Timothée Chalamet Stars In This Netflix Adaptation Of Shakespeare
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The King
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Director David Michôd Release Date November 1, 2019 Cast Nick Wittman , Ivan Kaye , Ben Mendelsohn , Tom Glynn-Carney , Andrew Havill , Lily-Rose Depp , Joel Edgerton , Timothee Chalamet , Dean-Charles Chapman , Jack Bandeira , Thomasin McKenzie , Steven Elder , Sean Harris , Robert Pattinson , Edward Ashley Runtime 140 minutes
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One of the more recent medieval movies came in 2019, and Netflix’s The King proved there was still interest in the genre. Though based on several plays by William Shakespeare, the film takes its own approach to chronicle the life of Henry V (Timothée Chalamet) after becoming the King of England in the 15th century. Chalamet proved he could carry his own movie outside the indie movie world and appeal to a larger audience.
He delivers a layered performance as a brave warrior who is perhaps not as wise of a politician as he likes to pretend he is. The 2019 medieval movie also features an impressive supporting cast, including Robert Pattinson with an amusing French accent. The King was directed by David Michôd, with the movie earning him a nomination for best direction of the AACTA Awards, and Bradd Pitt served as a producer.
18 El Cid (1961)
One Of The Final Films Of The Old Hollywood Era Was An Epic Medieval Tale
El Cid (1961)
Director Anthony Mann Release Date October 24, 1961 Cast Charlton Heston , Sophia Loren , Raf Vallone , Geneviève Page , John Fraser Runtime 182 Minutes
The 1961 film El Cid starring Charlton Heston and Sophia Loren highlights one of the last movies made in the era of old Hollywood when such studio epics were common. The film chronicles the life of the Spanish legendary figure Rodrigo Diaz de Bivar, also known as El Cid. The film is set in the 11th century against a backdrop of Christian Spain that is being overrun by the Moors.
The charismatic knight El Cid tries to unify his divided country and rally his people against foreign invaders. The star power of the movie is one of the selling points as Heston and Loren received plenty of praise, while the musical score and art direction are also standouts, earning several Oscar nominations in technical categories.
17 Valhalla Rising (2009)
Mads Mikkelsen Delivers One Of His Most Intense Performances
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Valhalla Rising (2009)
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Valhalla Rising is a historical drama directed by Nicolas Winding Refn. The film follows a mute Norse warrior named One Eye, portrayed by Mads Mikkelsen, who escapes from captivity and embarks on a journey with a group of Viking Christians to an unknown land. The narrative explores themes of survival, faith, and violence in an unrelenting landscape.
Director Nicolas Winding Refn Release Date March 31, 2010 Cast Mads Mikkelsen , Gary Lewis , Jamie Sives , Ewan Stewart , Alexander Morton Runtime 1h 33m
The Viking movie genre is not a very prevalent one, but Valhalla Rising is one of the examples of why this particular period of history makes for some incredible medieval movies. This Nicolas Winding Refn film features Mads Mikkelsen in one of his most visceral performances. The movie received a mix response from critics, with some feeling it took itself too seriously, with others giving it nothing but praise. However, these criticisms do demonstrate that it will more than likely appeal to dedicated fans of medieval movies more than it will casual viewers.
Buoyed by the gorgeous Scotland landscape on which it was shot, Valhalla Rising is a worthy screening for both Mikkelsen fans and anyone who can get on Refn’s wavelength and comfortably stay there. Far from the director’s Drive, the film follows a Norse Warrior called One-Eye and a young boy as they travel with Christian Crusaders in 1096 AD.
16 The Northman (2022)
A Visually Breathtaking Adventure
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The Northman
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Director Robert Eggers Release Date April 22, 2022 Writers Robert Eggers Cast Claes Bang , Ian Gerard Whyte , Nicole Kidman , Ingvar Eggert Sigurðsson , Kate Dickie , Olwen Fouéré , Katie Pattinson , Ethan Hawke , Gustav Lindh , Willem Dafoe , Doa Barney , Ralph Ineson , Ian Whyte , Bjork , Alexander Skarsgard , Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson , Anya Taylor-Joy , Murray McArthur Runtime 136 minutes
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Famed for his brooding and unrelentingly strange horror-adjacent efforts, director Robert Eggers knows how to establish drama, build tension, and cultivate a bizarre climax that makes the film’s heroes seem no more well-intentioned than its villains. That’s very much on display in one of 2022’s best action movies, The Northman. Much like Valhalla Rising, The Northman is a perfect medieval movie for viewers specifically interested in the Viking age.
A Norse tale of revenge that reverts into a tale of questioned allegiances and misinterpreted memories, it’s a visually stunning adventure that’ll leave audiences wondering why more movies don’t opt for the troubled antihero storyline. Though a box office disappointment, the movie’s battle sequences and authentic feel stood out among modern action movies. In addition, the cast of The Northman includes many well-known names, including Alexander Skarsgård, Nicole Kidman, Willem Dafoe, Ethan Hawke, and Anya Taylor-Joy.
15 Kingdom Of Heaven (2005)
The Director’s Cut Reinvigorated Medieval Movies For The Modern Era
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Kingdom of Heaven (2005)
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Director Ridley Scott Release Date May 6, 2005 Cast Martin Hancock , Michael Sheen , Nathalie Cox , Eriq Ebouaney , Jouko Ahola , David Thewlis Runtime 144 Minutes
Following Ridley Scott’s Oscar-winning Gladiator, the idea of the filmmaker making another historical epic sounded like a great idea. Kingdom of Heaven follows a blacksmith (Orlando Bloom) who joins his father (Liam Neeson) as a crusader on the road to the Holy City. Years before fans started demanding the director’s cut of Justice League, the film Kingdom of Heaven showed how a director’s cut could save a movie.
The messy film that was released in theaters was recut in its intended form as a massive epic that showed off Scott’s talent for big battle sequences while also making the historical aspects of the movie more gripping and effective. The cast of Kingdom of Heaven is stacked with A-List names including Orlando Bloom, Eva Green, Jeremy Irons, Breand Gleeson, Liam Neesonm Michael Sheen, and Edward Norton as King Baldwin IV of Jerusalem.
14 Excalibur (1981)
One Of The Greatest Medieval Movies Merges The Mythology Of Classic Tales
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Excalibur (1981)
R
Adventure
Fantasy
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Excalibur is a 1981 film directed by John Boorman, which retells the legend of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. Starring Nigel Terry as Arthur and Nicol Williamson as Merlin, the movie covers the mystical origins of Excalibur, Arthur’s rise to power, and the eventual betrayal by his closest allies. The film is notable for its striking visuals and adherence to the traditional Arthurian mythology.
Director John Boorman Release Date April 10, 1981 Writers John Boorman , Rospo Pallenberg Cast Nigel Terry , Helen Mirren , Nicholas Clay , Cherie Lunghi , Paul Geoffrey Main Genre Adventure
Some of the best medieval movies combine the mythology of classic tales while also setting themselves in a heightened historical world. Such is the case with the wonderful fantasy adventure Excalibur, the epic 1981 medieval movie from director John Boorman. As expected from the title, this is a story about King Arthur and the knights of the Round Table and still stands as an incredibly unique take on the traditional Arthurian mythos.
The cast was heavily praised with Nigel Terry as Arthur, Patrick Stewart as Leondegrance, Liam Neeson as Gawain, and Helen Mirren as Morgana. Excalibur received an Oscar nomination for Best Cinematography, while Boorman won an award at the 1981 Cannes Film Festival. While it’s now several decades old, Excalibur still stands strong when compared to many modern medieval movies and films about King Arthur.
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13 The Last Duel (2021)
The True Story Of A Terrifying Incident That Set The Stage For A Deadly Confrontation
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The Last Duel
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Director Ridley Scott Release Date October 15, 2021 Cast Adam Driver , Michael McElhatton , Harriet Walter , Ben Affleck , Matt Damon , Sam Hazeldine , Nathaniel Parker , jodie comer Runtime 2h 32m
Though it was one of the biggest box office bombs of 2021, The Last Duel recounts a real-life story lost in history that has stunning relevancy to modern society. Directed by Ridley Scott, the film was written and features performances by both Matt Damon and Ben Affleck while also starring Adam Driver and Jodie Comer in an acclaimed leading role.
The Last Knight is told through the perspectives of two knights and a lady all surrounding a horrific incident that leads to a deadly confrontation. Despite the fact that it was overlooked and Affleck scored an undeserved Razzie nomination, the performances, the telling of the tale, and the epic final battle led to an 85% Rotten Tomatoes rating.
12 A Knight’s Tale (2001)
A Stand-Out Medieval Movie Starring Heath Ledger
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A Knight’s Tale
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Director Brian Helgeland Release Date May 11, 2001 Cast Heath Ledger , Rufus Sewell , Mark Addy , Shannyn Sossamon , Paul Bettany , Laura Fraser , Alan Tudyk Runtime 132 Minutes
2001’s A Knights Tale stands out as a medieval movie that managed to transcend genre limitations and appeal to a much wider fanbase than most. Though fans know Heath Ledger best as The Dark Knight’s Joker, A Knight’s Tale is one of the films that cemented the late star as a leading man. Ledger stars as William Thatcher, a man who impersonates a knight and rises up through the ranks by jousting in a series of tournaments.
The highly entertaining film centers around the idea that everyone can choose their own destinies and is much more comedic than most medieval movies. Instead of taking itself too seriously with historical facts and accuracy, the movie incorporated modern music in a fun and unexpected way. While it didn’t receive many accolades at the time, A Knights Tale was a success with audiences and still considered by many as a beloved and easy-watch medieval comedy.
11 Richard III (1955)
The Pinnacle Of Shakespearean Film Adaptations
Richard III (1955)
Director Laurence Olivier Release Date December 13, 1955 Cast Laurence Olivier , Cedric Hardwicke , Nicholas Hannen , Ralph Richardson , John Gielgud Runtime 155 Minutes
Many of the best medieval movies were released in the mid-20th century, and many more still are adaptations of classic Shakespeare plays. Richard III is a perfect example of both. In Richard III, Laurence Olivier plays the titular nefarious character in the tale of his many plots and betrayals in order to seize the throne for himself, with Olivier showing why he’s a talent many consider to have been perfectly suited to playing larger-than-life characters of medieval dramas.
Olivier directed a number of movies based on Shakespeare plays, and while this was his only one not to be nominated for an Oscar for Best Picture, Olivier’s performance was nominated. In the years since its release, many have called Richard III the best Shakespeare movie adaptation. Many established thespians appear in the cast alongside Olivia, including Cedric Hardwicke and John Gielgud.
10 Becket (1964)
The Story Of Saint Thomas Of Canterbury
Becket (1964)
Director Peter Glenville Release Date March 11, 1964 Cast Richard Burton , Peter O’Toole , John Gielgud , Gino Cervi , Paolo Stoppa Runtime 148 Minutes
1964’s Becket has always been considered an exemplary medieval movie, but following its restoration in 2007, more viewers than ever have been able to experience its brilliance. Starring Richard Burton and Peter O’Toole, the film documents the relationship between Henry II of England and the bishop Thomas Becket.
Now known as Saint Thomas of Canterbury, Thomas Becket served as the Archbishop of Canterbury from 1162 until 1170. The dynamic between Burton and O’Toole is riveting with both actors being nominated for Best Actor for their performances. The movie also spawned a spiritual sequel, The Lion in Winter.
9 Henry V (1989)
The Adaptation Of Shakespeare’s Play “Henry V”
Henry V (1989)
Director Kenneth Branagh Release Date October 5, 1989 Cast Kenneth Branagh , Derek Jacobi , Brian Blessed , James Larkin , Paul Scofield Runtime 137 Minutes
Like Laurence Olivier before him, Kenneth Branagh’s movie career is filled with Shakespeare adaptations that he both directed and starred in. He made his directorial debut with the 1989 adaptation of Shakespeare’s play Henry V starring Branagh as the titular character as he tries to claim the kingdom of France in the name of England during the Hundred Years War.
Kenneth Branagh has a talent for taking the dense material of Shakespeare and bringing it to the big screen in a faithful yet accessible way. 1989’s Henry V is still considered one of the best Shakespeare adaptations and earned Branagh Oscar nominations for his acting and directing. Brannagh is also joined in the cast by the likes of Derek Jacobi, Ian Holm, Brian Blessed, Emma Thompson, and an incredibly young Christian Bale.
8 The Name Of The Rose (1986)
Sean Connery Delivers A Remarkable Leading Man Performance
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The Name Of The Rose (1986)
Director Jean-Jacques Annaud Release Date September 19, 1986 Cast Sean Connery , F. Murray Abraham , Feodor Chaliapin Jr. , William Hickey , Michael Lonsdale , Ron Perlman , Christian Slater , Valentina Vargas Runtime 130 Minutes
While most medieval movies try to explore well-known historical figures or depict epic battles, 1986’s The Name of the Rose tells a more contained and genre-driven story that sets it apart. It tells the story of the fictional 14th-century Franciscan monk William of Baskerville, played by Sean Connery, who travels to an abbey and investigates a suspicious death.
The movie is an obscure whodunit, planting a murder mystery story within the setting of a medieval movie. The result is a gripping and highly entertaining thriller with a terrific leading man performance from Connery. Connery is joined in the cast by F. Murray Abraham and Christian Slater, among others. While it didn’t see much awards success in the U.S., in the UK it managed to land two BAFTAs — one for Sean Connery, and another for make up artist Hasson von Hugo.
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7 Hamlet (1948)
Oscar-Winning Adaptation Of Shakespeare’s Timeless Tragedy
Hamlet (1948)
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Director Laurence Olivier Release Date December 10, 1948 Cast Laurence Olivier , Jean Simmons , John Laurie , Esmond Knight , Anthony Quayle Runtime 153 Minutes
This 1948 Oscar-winning adaptation of Shakespeare’s classic tragedy Hamlet stars and was directed by Laurence Olivier, and it serves as something of a paired-down interpretation of the original play. That said, it retains the playwright’s trademark dialogue and expertly reflects the tribulations of its titular lead.
The story of Hamlet is a timeless tale with which most cinephiles are at least casually familiar and the movie captures Shakespeare’s original text faithfully with a commanding lead performance. Fittingly, as perhaps the most acclaimed of Shakespeare’s plays, this was the crowing adaptation of Olivier, earning him Best Actor and Best Picture Oscars.
6 The Lion In Winter (1968)
Anthony Harvey’s Adaptation Of The Hit Broadway Play
Shakespeare isn’t the only source of stage productions that make for great medieval movie, as proved by director Anthony Harvey’s 1968 film The Lion in Winter, which stars Peter O’Toole as King Henry II and Oscar winner Katharine Hepburn as Eleanor of Aquitaine. It tells the story of the king’s decision about which of his three sons will inherit his throne. The film also stars a young Anthony Hopkins as the couple’s eldest son, Richard the Lionheart.
The Lion In Winter is based on a Broadway play of the same name and was one of the highest-grossing films of 1968 showing the kind of audience there once was for these prestige stories of historical politics and intrigue. It also won three Academy Awards, including Best Music Score, Best Adapted Screen Play, and Best Actress for Katharine Hepburn.