Die Normannen kommen

I saw the film when it first came out and enjoyed Heston and Boone, but thought the female lead was a bust. I also was disappointed as I thought the film was disjointed. Sometime later I read Heston's comments. It seems there was a change of people in the front office at the studio and they recut the movie and added some more battle scenes. According to Heston they had a great script and story.

I have thought for years that I would like to see the movie as it was directed. After all Frank Schaffner was a great director, who later on did "Planet of the Apes" and " Patton". I think there would be a market for the original cut, if the cuttings are still around. They could in effect re-release it. Now THAT would be something. There is no end to the way the studios can make money again and again on the same movies, is there. He He Althought I often question thier intelligence. Remember when they tried to stop the VCR's and throw away a whole new source of revenue.

A very detailed battle scene, a devastating passion, both depicted in a believable way. Amongst these, however, a repetitive confrontation among brothers, stereotyped characters and moral tenets (more pertaining to 1965 than to Middle Ages, I fear) which fatally influence the ending.

Actors are outstanding: real stars. Charlton Heston fills the screen and makes all his scenes memorable. Rosemary Forsyth is such a beauty that it is not hard to believe that men could have fought for her. I wonder if you noticed: in movies from those years, girls are often incredibly attractive.

Heston, despite what you may remember about his political views, with which you possibly disagreed, was a fine actor, and he demonstrates that again in this film, as does Guy Stockwell as Draco, his brother, in one of his better performances. The action sequences are well done, and the story keeps your interest. I saw it recently, again, having seen it when it first appeared, and liked it both times. The beautiful Rosemary Forsyth, who is possibly best known for this film, was somewhat wooden I thought, but passable. I did not like James Farentino in this film, or any other for that matter. But miscast here. Observant film goers will immediately recognize a certain speech, delivered by Heston near the film's end, as a direct borrow from a highly regarded Gary Cooper film, based on an Ernest Hemingway novel. See if you can spot it. Otherwise, an enjoyable film, and I would recommend it.

The War Lord is Chrysagon, as essayed by Charlton Heston, a knight come to a moody medieval place with his retinue to take charge. This is one of Heston's best performances, as he actually loses himself in the role, at least in a few spots, rather than projecting his standard Chuck persona. He's somewhat superstitious, as everyone is during this period, longing for a little love which he never had a chance to have before, and in strange, if expected, competition with his younger brother (Stockwell). The fighting scenes are excellent, a bit ahead of their time, even if they don't seem so now. Back then, having guys clanking swords always carried the same limited appeal, but here there's some nicely energetic choreography, quite complex in places. As someone states near the beginning, the atmosphere has a queer, moody tinge and all the players seem caught in a suffocating tragedy waiting to happen. Director Schaffner, as he would continue in later films, conveys a reality to all the proceedings, despite a rather fantastic setting from our point of view in modern times.

Most of the actors are terrific. Boone is Boone, being his usual tough ornery personality; no one would mess with this guy. Stockwell is tremendous; it's a shame he only appeared in a few more films which no one went to see and faded. He's very intense here, his envy of his brother and coveting his station a palpable energy. Forsyth, the object of Heston's desire, does seem out of place, never really in sync with the rest of the cast. In a way, this works in her character's favor, what with the suggestion of witchery surrounding her. Farentino, in an early role, doesn't get to show much range but what he does show is very effective. You genuinely feel for his plight towards the end due to the strong emotion he projects. In all, this is a smaller-scale epic than what one is used to from Chuck ("El Cid" and "Ben Hur" for example) but the almost intimate focus on this patch of land and the small cast of characters works in its favor.

Charlton Heston portrays a Norman knight who has been given charge of a Druid peasant village located on the seacoast of England. As "The War Lord", or warden, he can pretty much rule the area as he sees fit, just as long as his lord, the Duke, is satisfied.

Eventually, Heston invokes a certain law of "first night", meaning that he had the right to possess a bride on her wedding night prior to her being with her lawful husband. He begins to attempt to steal a bride, played by Rosemary Forsyth, and breaks his word of letting her return to the village after the night ends. This sets up a conflict between the villagers and a group of sea warriors to rid the village of Heston and the Duke's small group of defenders. Finally, Heston has to fight to preserve his love for Bronwyn,(Forsyth) and also keep his vow to the Duke.

A good drama, but can be of high interest to those who enjoy films depicting life in the Middle Ages.