1520 par le sang du glaive

Original title: The Headsman

2005
R
1h 55m

IMDb RATING

6.0/10

1.1K

YOUR RATING

Play trailer1:50

1 Video

11 Photos

Drama

The story of time-tested loyalty of two friends during Europe's 16th-century Inquisition. Orphans Martin and Georg bond as children, but walk very different paths as adults. Georg follows hi... Read allThe story of time-tested loyalty of two friends during Europe's 16th-century Inquisition. Orphans Martin and Georg bond as children, but walk very different paths as adults. Georg follows his calling to join the church, while Martin becomes an army captain. When fate places Marti... Read allThe story of time-tested loyalty of two friends during Europe's 16th-century Inquisition. Orphans Martin and Georg bond as children, but walk very different paths as adults. Georg follows his calling to join the church, while Martin becomes an army captain. When fate places Martin in the role of executioner, he must choose between friendship and fundamentalist doctrin... Read all

Director
- Simon Aeby
Writers
- Steve Attridge
- Susanne Freund
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.0/10

1.1K

YOUR RATING

Director
- Simon Aeby
Writers
- Steve Attridge
- Susanne Freund
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 1 nomination total

Videos1

Trailer 1:50

The Headsman

Photos10

+ 5

User reviews15

6.01.1K

Featured reviews

5mesaxi

There's a decent movie in there somewhere

This movie gave me whiplash. It started off with about a History Channel Reenactment quality, then got pretty good through the middle, and then ended like an average B-Movie. I feel like the main issue was editing, there were moments where I laughed out loud. Like when the dude's life flashed before his eyes and they threw in a clip of the sex scene from earlier in the movie (a "we're definitely using that again" moment). I was expecting a movie more sympathetic to the church, but I liked the angle they took instead. Berkoff was doing some Star Trek bad guy acting, Coaster-Waldau was pretty good, and Eddie Marsen is always a pleasure.

8Kev50027

Decent movie, but some terrible cinematography towards the end

This movie is alright, but it could be a lot better. The majority of the film is excellent, with good camera angles and good acting, but near the very end a very cheap trick is used to show the passage of time that just made me want to kick the director. I am not revealing any spoilers, worry not.

The story could be stronger as well, with more developed characters. By the end of the film, I feel I barely know any of the characters. The film seems slightly rushed, and could have been plenty longer. The beginning especially could use some work, it also is rushed.

Overall, I've heard it is accurate, but accuracy doesn't make a great film.

6djhscan

Intriguing, but too short period piece

Shadow of the Sword is a good film with an interesting and different story that paints a picture of the Catholic Church and its cruel inquisition.

However, it doesn't give much of an understanding of those who were being persecuted, the Anabaptists (or other groups that are mentioned without being explained). It would have been a clear improvement if we were given a deeper portrayal of especially the Anabaptists as well as the other main characters.

The film should have been a little longer to give these better descriptions. It has a lot of good parts, but it is missing some depth in its character descriptions. The story is quite gripping and strong and it is a great period piece, but it lacks some depth and should give the viewer a better understanding of the background and develop the characters more.

8FlorianSchirner

Very good acting - great story

I love historical films, even the bad ones. But this movie is one of the best. It hits the dark and depressing atmosphere in the shadow of the all-mighty catholic church well. The acting is on a high level by all actors, especially Coaster-Waldau and McDonald. Coaster-Waldau seems to be getting more and more to a main actor in movies. After seeing him alongside Bettany (another shooting star) in Wimbledon and Firewall, I was expecting a lot. And I was not disappointed. But I was most surprised by McDonald, never heard of him before, and his acting as a troubled prior torn between his duty and friendship.

So if you want to see a great movie set in the middle-ages, buy or rent both "The Reckoning" and "The Headsman".

8elo-equipamentos

Wild times on dark ages!!

How make a rare movie on low budge and receiving a best reviews from the best critics, this picture means all that, set place on dark ages when the evil spanish inquisition were the latest word to decide without mercy the people's fate over own point of view, blasphemers, witchcraft were their target, the Catholic church rules under heavy hand mainly by spanish radical wing and how everywhere such power were dreaded, the story is told by eyes's a former warrior who falling in love with a daughter of the headman, after that he has to replace him by right after his sudden death, Mongs's monastery, City's mayor and Archbishop trembled when a spanish inquisitor was sent to solve by power the insurgents by any means, a true near masterpiece over such gloomy period of our past!!

Resume:

First watch: 2012 / How many: 2 / Source: DVD / Rating: 8.5

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
Rather unusually, instead of listing all the cast members in the end credits, it mentions all the top players and then reads "and many many more".

Connections
Referenced in Movie Friends - Eine Videothek stellt sich vor (2013)

Soundtracks
Laetatus Sum
Music by Ludovico Grossi Da Viadana
Performed by Coro Palestrina
Directed by Piergiuseppe Snozzi
Published by Coro Palestrina
Licensed by kind permission from Coro Palestrina