Medieval Lists

Published on May 7, 2026

# Medieval Lists

A. Worst Medieval Movies [by readers of the Mediev-l list] [In no particular order]

The Silver Chalice (1954) [Wikipedia]
US, Religious, 144, No rating, Color
Dir. Victor Saville: Cast includes: Virginia Mayo, Jack Palance, Paul Newman, Natalie Wood,
-Paul Newman as the Greek who designed the Chalice for the last supper. Newman later took out an ad to apologize for this, his first movie.
The Long Ships (1964) [Wikipedia]
UK-Yugoslavia, Adventure, 125 min, No rating, Color
Dir. Jack Cardiff; Cast includes: Richard Widmark, Sidney Poitier.
[From Mediev-l List "Worst Medieval Films" Discussion] This took some deciding, though. I almost voted for The Long Ships (to an Old Norse specialist, awful Viking movies have a special awfulness) Then there is the Long Ships, with Richard Widmark as the Viking hero and Sidney Poitier as his northern African, Muslim, bad-guy counterpart. This is film with the Golden Bell in Morocco, with Richard Widmark and Sidney Poitier emoting vociferously but to no effect. The most enjoyable characterization in the film is Lionel Jeffries' mute harem eunuch.
The Vikings (1958) [Wikipedia]
US, Historical/Adventure, 114, No rating, Color
Dir. Richard Fleischer: Cast includes: Kirk Douglas, Tony Curtis, Ernest Borgnine, Janet Leigh
[From Mediev-l List "Worst Medieval Films" Discussion] There was also a REAL stinker back in the '50s called "The Viking" with Tony Curtis (of Black Shield fame) and Kirk Douglas with Janet Leigh as the Anglo-Saxon princess they were fighting over. If you look closely at some of the rowing scenes, one of the Vikings has a very visible vaccination scar and another is wearing an equally visible gold wristwatch.
-This one has Kirk Douglas as a clean-shaven Viking, and his father explaining that "he's so vain he scrapes his face".
The Norseman (1978) [Wikipedia]
US, Adventure, 90, Rated PG, Color
Dir. Charles B. Pierce: Cast includes: Lee Majors, Cornel Wilde
-About an 11th-century Viking prince sailing to America in search of his father, abducted by Indians.
[From Mediev-l List "Worst Medieval Films" Discussion] Perhaps the worst was The Norseman starring Lee Majors with a cadre of football players who wend their way to America to free Major's dad from the Indians. This one is so bad that it is a classic.
- The Majors entry was one clunker I had managed to make myself forget all about! Talk about suppressed memories. Right down there with Plan 9 from Outer Space..... I once taught a course on medieval literature into film and discovered that film and things medieval are apples and oranges.
The Crusades (1935) [Wikipedia]
US, Historical/Drama, 123, No rating B&W
Dir. Cecil B. DeMille; Cast includes: Loretta Young (Berengaria), Henry Wilcoxon (Richard), Ian Keith (Saladin)
-[From Mediev-l List "Worst Medieval Films" Discussion] - May I nominate Cecil B. De Mille's The Crusades. It is memorable not only for its conflation of all Crusades into one big mess but most especially Loretta Young as Berengaria spending a brief vacation in Saladin's harem. I defy anyone to beat that! Jo Ann.
-Ah, yes, and with C. Aubrey Smith as "The Hermit", tied to a stake on the Saracens' parapet, arms outstretched, crying "In this sign, you will conquer!!"
-Pauline Kael notes that "DeMille wilfully garbled every single character and incident".
King Richard and the Crusaders (1954) [Wikipedia]
US, Historical, 114, No rating, Color
Dir. David Butler; Cast includes: Rex Harrison, George Sanders, Virginia Mayo
-Not well regarded. Based on Sir Walter Scott's The Talisman.
-[From Mediev-l List "Worst Medieval Films" Discussion] This is the film with a disguised Saladin sneaking into the Christian camp to cure Richard. Sanders is very unconvincing as Richard. There is also an otherwise unknown cousin of Richard's named Edith Plantagenet (!!!) in love with a mere knight. Certainly a strong contender in any event..
The Black Shield of Falworth (1954) [Wikipedia]
US, Adventure, 99, No rating, Color
Dir. Rudolph Mate; Cast includes: Tony Curtis, Janet Leigh
-Knighthood in medieval England. Based on Howard Pyle's Men of Iron
-[From Mediev-l List "Worst Medieval Films" Discussion] In any event, I haven't heard anyone's nomination for the worst medieval movie ever filmed. I have a special place in my heart for The Black Shield of Falworth, but I'm sure that there are many others equally, or even more, despicable. God! tough to top that.
Sword of the Valiant: The Legend of Gawain and the Green Knight. (1982) [Wikipedia]
UK, Adventure, 101, Rated PG, Color
Dir. Stephan Weeks; Cast includes: Miles O'Keeffe (Gawain), Sean Connery (Green Knight), Trevor Howard (Arthur), Peter Cushing
[From Mediev-l List "Worst Medieval Films" Discussion] Sword of the Valiant with Miles O'Keefe as Gawain. Great hair that didn't move...at all!!! Medieval theme taken to the mystic outer limits!. O'Keefe previously played Tarzan.
Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991) [Wikipedia]
US, Historical/Adventure/Action, 138, Rated PG-13, Color
Dir. Kevin Reynolds; Cast includes: Kevin Costner, Morgan Freeman, Christian Slater, Alan Rickman
-Quite good in fact, although very 1990's. Stay for the last shot!
[From Mediev-l List "Worst Medieval Films" Discussion] But my favorite Worst Medieval Movie remains Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. I've never quite gotten over the moment when Kevin Costner's Robin asks a belligerent Will Scarlett, "Why do you hate me? Did I harm you in some former life?"
Braveheart (1995) [Wikipedia]
US, Romance/Historical/Action, 177, Rated R, Color
Dir. Mel Gibson; Cast includes: Mel Gibson
-Massively inaccurate portrayal of the life of the 13th-centiry hero William Wallace. Won a lot of Oscars.
Brother Sun, Sister Moon (1972) [Wikipedia]
Italy-UK, Historical, 121, Rated PG, Color
Dir. Franco Zeffirelli; Cast includes: Graham Faulkner (Francesco) [Wikipedia], Judi Bowker (Clare), Alec Guinness (Pope Innocent III)
-Zeffirelli's hippy St. Francis. Music by Donovan.
-[From Mediev-l List "Worst Medieval Films" Discussion] May I enter a nomination for Brother Sun, Sister Moon? I recently had an opportunity to view it for the first time since its original release in the early '70s and wound up rather wishing I hadn't paid to experience it then--especially the Donovan "Do your own thing" soundtrack.
The Conqueror (1956) [Wikipedia]
US, War/Historical/Adventure, 111, No rating, Color
Dir. Dick Powell: Cast includes: John Wayne
-Mongols vs. Tartars, and John Wayne as Genghis Khan. Shot in Utah downwind of a nuclear facility, a high percentage of stars and crew, including Wayne, later developed cancer.
-[From Mediev-l List "Worst Medieval Films" Discussion] Let's not forget The Conqueror, starring John Wayne as Genghis Khan.
The Adventures of Marco Polo (1938) [Wikipedia]
US, Adventure, 100 min, No rating, Black & White
Dir. Archie Mayo; Cast includes; Gary Cooper (Marco Polo), Sigrid Gurie, Basil Rathbone, Lana Turner
[From Mediev-l List "Worst Medieval Films" Discussion] What about Marco Polo!?! Gary Cooper stuffing dry pasta in his pocket to take back to Italy, Basil Rathbone looking evilly inscrutable, Alan Hale as some sort of nomadic chief, and best of all the art deco interiors of the Chinese palaces--big, white, and glossy.
Your Highness (2011) [Wikipedia]
US, stoner fantasy, 102, Color
Dir. David Gordon Green; Cast includes Danny McBride, James Franco, Natalie Portman, Zooey Deschane, Justin Theroux, Toby Jones,Damian Lewis
-A completely unfunny comedy. One of the worst medieval films ever made.

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B. Best Medieval Movies - by historical accuracy [Halsall]

These are not necessarily completely accurate, but do try to stick to the period and known facts.

Mohammad, Messenger of God/The Message (1976) [Wikipedia]
Lebanon-UK, Religious, 180, Rated PG, Color
Dir. Moustapha Akkad; Cast includes: Anthony Quinn, Irene Pappas
-In accordance with Islamic law, Muhammad is not actually shown on screen.
Becket (1964) [Wikipedia]
US, Historical/Drama, 148, No rating, Color
Dir. Peter Glenville; Cast includes: Peter O'Toole, Richard Burton
-Based on Jean Anouilh's play about Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas à Becket and his English King, Henry II. Although there is no historical data to support the suggestion, Anouilh sees a homosexual relationship. Superb film.
The Lion in Winter (1968) [Wikipedia]
UK, Historical/Drama, 135, No rating, Color
Dir. Anthony Harvey: Cast includes: Katherine Hepburn (Eleanor), Peter O'Toole (Henry II), Anthony Hopkins (Richard the Lionheart)
-Probably the greatest of all "medieval movies." For sheer enjoyment.
A Man for All Seasons (1966) [Wikipedia]
UK, Drama, 120, No rating, Color
Dir. Fred Zinnemann: Cast includes: Paul Scofield
-The story of St. Thomas More as a man of conscience. Won six Oscars.
The Return of Martin Guerre (1982) [Alt: La Retour de Martin Guerre] [Wikipedia]
France, Historical, 111, No rating, Color
Dir. Daniel Vigne, Jean Claude Carrierè: Cast includes: Gerard Depardieu
-Based on trial records about an impostor in 16th century Southern France. An excellent movie, with solid historical advice given by Natalie Zemon Davis to the film makers. Try to see subtitled version, not the dubbed one.
The Passion of Joan of Arc (1928) [Alt: La Passion de Jeanne D'Arc] [Wikipedia]
France, Historical, 77, No rating B&W
Dir. Carl Dreyer; Cast includes: Renée Maria Falconetti
-held by Pauline Kael to be the greatest performance ever captured on film. The film was so powerful that it was initially banned in England. Based on actual trial transcripts.
The Mission (1986) [Wikipedia]
UK, Drama, 125, Rated PG, Color
Dir. Roland Joffe; Cast includes: Robert DeNiro, Jeremy Irons, Liam Neeson
-The story of the Jesuit mission in Paraguay. Screenwriter Robert Bolt.

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C. Best Medieval Movies - as films [Halsall] [In no particular order]

Ben-Hur (1959) [Wikipedia]
US, Religious/Historical, 212, No rating, Color
Dir. William Wyler: Cast includes: Charleton Heston, Stephen Boyd
-Based on Lew Wallace's book. The story of Judah Ben-Hur and his boyhood friend Messala.
Alexander Nevsky (1938) [Wikipedia]
Russia, War/Historical, 107, No rating B&W
Dir. Sergei Eisenstein, D.I. Vassillev; Cast includes: Nikolai Cherkassov
-The repelling of a German invasion in the 13th century. Score by Prokofiev. One of the great movies.
Andrei Rublev (1966) [Wikipedia]
Russia, Historical, 185, No rating, Color, B&W
Dir. Andrei Tarkovsky
-about the 15th-century icon painter.
-[From Mediev-l List "Worst Medieval Films" Discussion] On the other side of the ledger, has anyone else seen Tarkowski's Andrei Rublev? I don't know enough about Medieval Russia to judge it. It seemed to do a reasonable job portraying the period, and is cinematically outstanding, although Rublev's character struck me as a bit too modern.
The War Lord (1965) [Wikipedia]
US, War/Historical/Drama, 123, No rating, Color
Dir. Franklin Schaffner; Cast includes: Charlton Heston
-Based on Leslie Stevens' The Lovers. Heston is a knight invoking the "right" to sleep with another man's bride on their wedding night. (See Braveheart for the same myth)
-[From Mediev-l List "Worst Medieval Films" Discussion] -I must protest at the inclusion of The Warlord in this discussion. it is a very interesting film which Heston made after his success with Ben Hur and chose to do things like wear a bowl-cut hairdo which his PR men told him would ruin his reputation as a sex-symbol. Aside from the ius primae noctis, for which an interesting rationale is provided, the film is really quite realistic (the claustrophobic quarters of a dungeon fortress) and very interesting. recently re-released and worth a look.
The Seventh Seal (1957) [Wikipedia]
Sweden, Drama, 96, No rating B&W
Dir. Ingmar Bergman: Cast includes: Max Von Sydow
-Set in 14th-century Sweden, about a knight returning from a crusade playing a chess game with death. The film made Bergman famous.
Becket (1964) [Wikipedia]
US, Historical/Drama, 148, No rating, Color
Dir. Peter Glenville; Cast includes: Peter O'Toole, Richard Burton
-Based on Jean Anouilh's play about Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas à Becket and his English King, Henry II. Although there is no historical data to support the suggestion, Anouilh sees a homosexual relationship. Superb film.
The Lion in Winter (1968) [Wikipedia]
UK, Historical/Drama, 135, No rating, Color
Dir. Anthony Harvey: Cast includes: Katherine Hepburn (Eleanor), Peter O'Toole (Henry II), Anthony Hopkins (Richard the Lionheart)
-Probably the greatest of all "medieval movies" for sheer enjoyment.
A Man for All Seasons (1966) [Wikipedia]
UK, Drama, 120, No rating, Color
Dir. Fred Zinnemann: Cast includes: Paul Scofield
-The story of St. Thomas More as a man of conscience. Won six Oscars.
The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938) [Wikipedia]
US, Adventure, 102, No rating, Color
Dir. Michael Curtiz, Willim Keighley ; Cast includes: Errol Flynn, Olivia de Havilland, Basil Rathbone, Claude Rains
The Advocate [Alt: The Hour of the Pig] [Wikipedia]
US (1994): Historical/Drama/Crime
Dir. David Thompson: Cast includes: Colin Firth
-A 15th-century lawyer defends a pig put on trial for murder.
The Return of Martin Guerre (1982) [Alt: La Retour de Martin Guerre] [Wikipedia]
France, Historical, 111, No rating, Color
Dir. Daniel Vigne, Jean Claude Carrierè: Cast includes: Gerard Depardieu
-Based on trial records about an impostor in 16th century Southern France. An excellent movie, with solid historical advice given by Natalie Zemon Davis to the film makers. Try to see subtitled version, not the dubbed one.
The Passion of Joan of Arc (1928) [Alt: La Passion de Jeanne D'Arc] [Wikipedia]
France, Historical, 77, No rating B&W
Dir. Carl Dreyer; Cast includes: Renée Maria Falconetti
-held by Pauline Kael to be the greatest performance ever captured on film. The film was so powerful that it was initially banned in England. Based on actual trial transcripts.
El Cid (1961) [Wikipedia]
US, War/Biography, 184, No rating, Color
Dir. Anthony Mann; Cast includes: Sophia Loren (Chimene), Charlton Heston (Rodrigo Diaz de Bivar El Cid), John Fraser (King Alfonso).
-Quite good, in fact.
The Name of the Rose (1986) [Wikipedia]
France-Germany-Italy, Mystery/Historical, 130, Rated R, Color
Dir. Cast includes: Sean Connery
-Based on the novel by Umberto Eco.
The Navigator: A Medieval Odyssey (1988) [Wikipedia]
New Zealand, Fantasy/Adventure, 92, Rated PG, Color, B&W
Dir. Vincent Ward; Cast includes: Bruce Lyons, Chris Hayward
-An odd story, but a good film. About an English boy who leads a group of villagers into a tunnel to escape the plague, and emerges in a modern city (Auckland?)
The Virgin Spring [Aka Jungfrukällan] (1959) [Wikipedia]
Sweden, Drama, 88, No rating B&W
Dir. Ingmar Bergman: Cast includes: Max Von Sydow
Story of religious medieval Swedish family whose daughter is raped by vagrants. Oscar for best foreign movie.
The Mission (1986) [Wikipedia]
UK, Drama, 125, Rated PG, Color
Dir. Roland Joffe; Cast includes: Robert DeNiro, Jeremy Irons, Liam Neeson
-The story of the Jesuit mission in Paraguay. Screenwriter Robert Bolt.

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D. Medieval Movie Misconceptions (Aka Myths) [Halsall] [In no particular order]

Some myths (or rather misconceptions) about the Middle Ages come up again and again. This is the beginning of a list.

Jus Primae Noctis
The right of "first night" - i.e. that a "lord" had the right to sleep with male subordinate's new wives. This is a 19th-century myth.
- Featured in: Braveheart, The War Lord, Magnificat, The Sorceress.
Continual Persecution of Christians by Rome.
In fact persecution was intermittent, and rare, with periods of many decades between attacks.
- Featured in most "early Christian" genre movies.
Clinking Swords
From Cathy Hanley [Here is a myth, or rather] an inaccuracy which appears in every medieval film I've ever seen. Why is it that whenever anyone picks up or draws a sword the filmmakers feel obliged to add that annoying "ching" sound, even when the sword is drawn from a leather scabbard or picked up off a table? Anyone who has ever tried to draw a sword (I have several) will know that it's almost impossible to produce this sound. The only way I've found is to deliberately pull the sword across the back of a mail glove, but this isn't very authentic! I know it's probably more dramatic, but it sounds so false and is highly annoying.
Knights and Mobility
That knights could easily get up by themselves (& easily) after falling off a horse with all their heavy chain mail and armor on their bodies. Some commentators have disputed this "myth."
Saxons and Normans
Perhaps because of Sir Walter Scott's Ivanhoe, or perhaps because of the success of The Adventures of Robin Hood, the idea that Saxon Englishmen were raging against Norman conquerors comes up again and again in movies about England.
- Featured in: mostly Robin Hood movies, all versions of Ivanhoe, Becket (where the real Becket was not even a "Saxon"), The Black Rose, and so on
Nuns
All nuns were virgins admitted into a convent as lovely, nubile waifs.
Sex
No one ever had sex outside of marriage or before marriage. Also, that all marriage ceremonies -- even of peasants in small outlying communities-- were performed by priests in a church.

Further Reading on Medieval History and Film

Scott Manning's bibliography is the starting point here for English language materials.

Scott Manning: Medievalism on Screen: An Annotated Bibliography [Internet Archive version here]

Wikipedia: Middle Ages in Film [with bibliography]

Arthur Lindley: The Ahistoricism of Medieval Film 1998 [Internet Archive version here]

Richard Utz: "Mes souvenirs sont peut-être reconstruits": Medieval Studies, Medievalism, and the Scholarly and Popular Memories of the 'Right of the Lord's First Night 2005 [Internet Archive version here]

Esther Cuenca: Medieval Hollywood Syllabus 2018

Elizabeth Lapina: The Middle Ages in Film Syllabus 2014 [Internert Archive version here]

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