Americans don’t know a lot about the national heroes of other countries. There are many compelling stories from various cultures' histories or mythologies that only a local can enjoy. The best way to let foreigners experience the legendary figures of history is to make them the epic heroes of modern cinema. That spirit brought the worldMedieval, a film that tells the story of Jan Žižka.
There’s asubstantial subgenre of historical filmscrafted with the techniques pioneered by fantasy cinema. When a dramatization of a true story looks like it could present a dragon at any minute, it captures something special. History doesn’t have to look like a boring documentary, and films likeMedievaldemonstrate the flexibility of the medium.
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What isMedievalabout?
Medievaltells the tale of Jan Žižka, one of the greatest military heroes of Czech history. Jan works as a mercenary for Lord Boresh,a cunning political strategist. Boresh wants to secure power for Wenceslaus IV, ostensibly the King of Bohemia and the Holy Roman Emperor. Wenceslaus’s brother Sigismund seeks to unseat the rightful king, and the wealthy nobleman, Henry III of Rosenberg, has lent him his influence. Henry is prepared to marry the beautiful Lady Katherine. Boresh sees Henry as the bane of the nation, and he’s prepared to use dirty tactics to weaken his hand.
Jan is tasked with kidnapping Katherine to force Henry to honor his commitment and support King Wenceslaus. Jan and his mercenaries make off with Katherine, but that action sets off a chain of massive political changes. Sigismund hires mercenaries to rescue Katherine and take revenge. His soldiers are led by Torak, Jan’s childhood mentor. Torak uses his insideknowledge and military mightto bring the fight to Jan. Torak swiftly attacks Jan’s home, kills his nephew, and takes his brother hostage. Jan must rally his local peasants, lead his soldiers, and exhaust all of his might to defeat Torak. As he fights, Katherine falls in love with Jan, and a rescue mission swiftly turns into a counter-kidnapping. With the fate of the nation on the line, Jan must defeat the man who trained him to install the rightful king. It’s a brutal tale of betrayal and violence that demonstrates the power of the Czech national hero and the cruel life he led to earn it.
How doesMedievalrelate toSkyrim?
Medieval, likeSkyrim, is the tale of a lone hero inserting themselves into the nightmarish moral arc of the era. One of the most impressive things about the film is the way it makes Jan Žižka feellike a predestined hero. Jan isn’t just a physical powerhouse. A lot of historical epics make their heroes feel mighty because they’re capable of murdering all the other warriors, but Jan’s appeal is deeper than that. He’s wise, funny, charismatic, strong, and endlessly conflicted. He’s ultimately doing the right thing, but his methods are gruesome. His greatest skill is the ability to rally the people. He gives his strength to the afflicted, allowing him to grant the people of Bohemia the hope they need to fight.
Heroes like Jan Žižka were undoubtedly points ofinspiration forSkyrim’s Dragonborn. The legendary chosen hero of every fantasy story wouldn’t exist without works likeMedieval. If Skyrim was a real nation,Medievalis the kind of film residents would eventuallymake about the Dragonborn. Its action captures much of the brutal fun of the game, its visuals are strikingly similar, and the grim tone captures its low moments. The two works have a lot in common, but the most interesting comparison is their roles. The legendary hero exists in every culture, even fictional ones.
How doesMedievalend?
With the help of the local peasants, Jan rescues Katherine and his brother from Torak.The encounter is brutal, costing Jan his eye. Torak manages to steal Katherine and abscond to Henry’s castle, where they mortally wound Boresh. Jan fights Torak. Torak gets the upper hand, but Katherine sacrifices herself to give Jan a chance. Jan drags Torak after her, then kills him as they hit the water below. Jan and Katherine share a kiss as she dies. Though Jan wins his battle, Sigismund takes the throne after Wenceslaus' death. The people of Bohemia rise against their new king, with Jan leading the charge. In the final shot, Jan leads a medieval tank in one of the most important battles of his career.
Medievalis a strange beast.It’sBraveheartfor aless well-known nation. It’s far from perfect, frequently bogged down in its exposition. The action is brutal, involving, and original. The historical details can be compelling, but they can be a bit too much for newcomers. The real feat it achieves is giving the world the Czech Republic’s appreciation for Jan Žižka. He’s a hero worthy of a film like this.
