bkoganbing Playing the title role of The War Lord is Charlton Heston in a tale set in medieval Normandy in the 11th century. It's a fine epic story even though Heston's character while noble for his time is also a bit thick.Heston is an honored and respected knight who has been given charge of a coastal area to defend it from the invading Frisians. He's got a company of men at arms including brother Guy Stockwell and family retainer Richard Boone. After one Frisian raid, the little Frisian prince played by Johnny Jenson is left behind and caught and naturally his dad Henry Wilcoxon wants him back. The natives themselves are a problem. The local priest Maurice Evans has been trying to win them away from their Druid religion. But it's a tough battle. Evans plays an interesting part and in keeping with missionary tradition. Though the function of a missionary is to win native people away from whatever beliefs they hold at the same time missionaries have saved native populations from the more depraved aspects of Christian civilization. Evans in his century is a whole lot like a David Livingstone.Guy Stockwell is the Mordred of the story. He's insanely jealous of the favor his brother is looked upon. He also is guilty of some of the clearest thinking in the film. That clear thinking is concerned with Rosemary Forsyth, a beautiful peasant girl that gets Heston's hormones charged. He reaches back to the Druid religion of the lord having first crack at a bride on her wedding night. But then refuses to give her up. They both fall in love, but the peasant kid she's married to James Farentino is also son of the village headman Niall McGinniss.It all involves the Druids teaming up with the Frisians the people who had been their sworn enemies with Heston having both Farentino's bride and the Frisian prince held at his tower. A good 40% of the film deals with the siege of that tower.The War Lord is a grand medieval pageant with Charlton Heston at his most heroic even though the man is absolutely dense to the consequences of what he's done. He's also a bit ahead of his times, but sadly alone there and it's never good to be too far ahead.Jerome Moross wrote a beautiful score for The War Lord that really captures the mood of those medieval times. Franklin Schaffner got a good ensemble performance from his cast. Pay particular attention to Guy Stockwell and to Richard Boone as well.

niutta-enrico 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.

ma-cortes XI century, the powerful Duke William of Ganthe sends his main knight Chrysagon (Charlton Heston) and some warriors to defend coastal villages in Normandy against continuous Frisios attacks that sack, ravage, rampage and pillage. Meanwhile , war-hardened Chrysagonn falls in love with a peasant girl named Bronwyn (Rosemary Forsyth) , adopted daughter of the old Odin (Nial MacGuinnis), though she is unfortunately engaged to someone else (James Farentino). The nobleman uses an old law which allows knights his feudal right of first night called ¨Ius Primae Noctis¨ after the wedding celebration. Nevertheless Chrysagon and Bronwyn become enamored and vow to never apart .This mood piece is an interesting story set in the 11th century with impressive production values full of scenes like ancient prints, pulsating action in the keep attack and excellent performances. Splendid evocation of medieval time based on the play ¨The lovers¨ by Leslie Stevens (Outer limits) and well-adapted by John Collier (Silvia Scarlett) and Millard Kaufman (Bad day at Black Rock). Top-notch Charlton Heston as Norman noble who invokes his right and steals a bride, Guy Stockwell as embittered, deranged and ambitious brother. And gorgeous, sensitive Rosemary Forsyth who never bettered her role as frail and enamored peasant , in addition Richard Boone does a sincere portrayal as a veteran warrior . The aces in the hole of this stunning movie are the evocative musical score by Jerome Moross and colorful cinematography by Russell Metty with wonderful images of all kind of skies and turquoise interiors. Furhermore appropriate costumes fitting to Middle Age by Vitti Nino Novarese. The motion picture picture is finely directed by Franklin J. Schaffner in the first collaboration to Heston who later directed him in ¨Planet of apes¨ and as co-protagonist Maurice Evans who in ¨War lord¨ plays a likable priest. Schaffner filmed several hits as ¨Papillon¨, ¨Boys from Brazil¨ and of course ¨Patton¨ and some flops as ¨Nicholas and Alexandra¨, ¨Day of dolphin¨ and ¨Lionheart¨. Although had studio interference ¨War lord¨ is one of the most impressive pieces of Middle Age that Hollywood ever realized. Rating : Better than average, well worth watching.

loosid_dreamers I was a little kid seeing this in the theatres for the first time and I remember that before the credits ran Heston and Forsyth did a little introductory summary about the middle ages speaking directly to the audience. I can't remember exactly, but I think they also addressed the issue of the violence in the movie - which by today's standards is pretty mellow. It seems to me they talked about it as adding credibility to the film in terms of historical content. When does that happen anymore? I don't know if it's included in the DVD but it would be cool. I also think Franklin Shaffner was a wonderful director. No slop. No unnecessary scenes. And as good as Heston is, the performance that blew me away was given by Guy Stockwell. Oh my god. How was his brother Dean more visible in the industry? I don't know. And of course Richard Boone was terrific - especially in his last tender scene comforting Heston - the son he never had. I usually hesitate watching movies that I saw as a child because I don't want to lose the special feeling they gave me as a child, but this one certainly retains the romanticism and excitement found in a few other movies such as Journey to the Centre of the Earth, Samson and Delilah, and Demetrius and the Gladiators. Definitely an "A".