Gone Medieval: Episode Summary - "Christmas Movie Knight"

Introduction In the December 24, 2024 episode of Gone Medieval, hosts Matt Lewis and Dr. Eleanor Jaenega delve into the realm of medieval-themed films perfect for the festive season. Titled "Christmas Movie Knight," the episode offers a comprehensive exploration of both commendable and questionable medieval movies, providing listeners with insightful critiques and recommendations for their holiday viewing. Throughout the discussion, the hosts balance historical accuracy with entertainment value, ensuring that listeners receive a nuanced perspective on each film.

1. Celebrating Quality Medieval Films

The Last Kingdom
The conversation begins with a discussion on The Last Kingdom, a Netflix series based on Bernard Cornwell's novels set in Anglo-Saxon England. Matt praises the series for its authentic portrayal of the era, highlighting its focus on King Alfred and the Viking invasions.

"It has everything you might want from a violent early medieval TV series." (04:08)

Decameron
Eleanor introduces The Decameron, a series based on Boccaccio's 14th-century work, emphasizing its blend of humor and the grim backdrop of the Black Death. They appreciate how the show reflects the resilience of people despite devastating circumstances.

"It's a really interesting window, I think, onto what the world was thinking in that moment." (08:22)

The 13th Warrior
Antonio Banderas stars in The 13th Warrior, where his character, Ian Fadlan, joins a group of Vikings to combat a mythical threat. The hosts commend the film for its storytelling and visual appeal, drawing parallels to the epic narrative of Beowulf.

"It's a really good watch. People are very quiet today." (22:38)

The Great Wall
While critiquing The Great Wall, Matt and Eleanor acknowledge its impressive fight choreography and visual spectacle. Despite its fantastical plot involving alien monsters, the film offers enjoyable action sequences inspired by Chinese cinema.

"The fight choreography is absolutely gorgeous." (26:57)

Outlander
Eleanor highlights Outlander as a middle ground between high-quality and flawed medieval films. The movie features Jim Caviezel and Ron Perlman, blending Viking lore with science fiction elements like alien monsters.

"It's a really enjoyable film to watch, you know." (28:58)

First Knight
Sean Connery and Richard Gere star in First Knight, a retelling of Arthurian legend that minimizes magical elements in favor of political intrigue. The hosts appreciate the film's focus on the strategic marriage between Guinevere and King Arthur.

"It feels very early medieval in that it's lots of petty kingdoms fighting with each other." (31:28)

Disney's Robin Hood
Concluding the positive recommendations, Matt and Eleanor express a strong affection for Disney's animated Robin Hood. They laud its faithful adaptation of the classic story, charming characterizations, and its ability to bring the legend to life in a family-friendly format.

"It is having a great swashbuckling time. You get swinging from ropes, you get cool archery competitions." (50:56)

2. Exploring Guilty Pleasures and Critiquing Flawed Films

Army of Darkness
Matt reminisces about Army of Darkness, a 1992 film blending horror and comedy. While acknowledging its absurdity, he appreciates its entertainment value and witty dialogue.

"It is ridiculous. And that's why it came in as my most absurd film. But it's also brilliant." (16:17)

The Physician
Eleanor vehemently criticizes The Physician for its historical inaccuracies, particularly its portrayal of the Church's opposition to medicine during the medieval period.

"Everything about it is wrong. It's slightly offensive." (19:36)

Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves
The hosts discuss Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, acknowledging Alan Rickman's iconic portrayal of the Sheriff of Nottingham but expressing disappointment with its historical and narrative inconsistencies.

"He’s possibly the greatest character ever created on film." (35:53)
"I think it's the worst Robin Hood film. I think it's the worst." (49:54)

2018 Robin Hood
Matt and Eleanor delve into the 2018 Robin Hood film, highlighting its chaotic plot and stylistic failures. They criticize the film's anachronistic elements and disjointed storytelling, deeming it the worst in the Robin Hood franchise.

"It is such a jumble and a mess. I almost don't know where to begin." (46:02)
"I think we're back on safe ground of agreeing that this is the worst Robin Hood film." (49:54)

Men in Tights
As a humorous detour, Men in Tights is mentioned as a satirical take on Robin Hood, praised for its clever humor and musical elements, aligning with Mel Brooks' signature comedic style.

"It's so good. It's a Mel Brooks classic." (38:55)

3. Balancing Historical Accuracy and Entertainment

Throughout the episode, Matt and Eleanor navigate the fine line between historical fidelity and cinematic creativity. They acknowledge that while some films prioritize entertainment over accuracy, others strive to maintain a semblance of historical truth.

"I'm not asking every medieval movie to be 100% point perfect accurate in terms of the history that it's bringing to me, but I love the little highlights that the Last Kingdom has for all of us." (06:02)
"It's okay to just have fun." (51:12)

4. Concluding Thoughts and Future Content

As the episode wraps up, Matt and Eleanor express their intention to explore the Robin Hood legend in future episodes, inviting listener feedback on how to approach the legendary figure. They extend warm holiday wishes to their audience, promising more engaging content in the New Year.

"We are just about to roll right into Christmas. I'm very, very excited about it myself." (52:16)
"A very, very merry Christmas to everyone out there listening." (53:01)

Notable Quotes

• Matt on The Last Kingdom: "Everything is a dark castle and there is mud on the fields and everybody's fighting and they look a little bit grubby." (04:21)
• Eleanor on Decameron: "It's a really fun one, is the Thing which the Decameron absolutely is." (07:46)
• Matt on Army of Darkness: "He is in 14th century England, which looks remarkably like Southern California for some reason." (16:17)
• Eleanor on The Physician: "It’s slightly offensive, but if you're like me and you enjoy righteous indignation, it's a one you really pop off to." (19:36)
• Matt on Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves: "I won't apologize for loving this film." (40:34)
• Eleanor on Disney's Robin Hood: "I don't think you need to turn it into some examination of the Middle Ages. It's okay to just have fun." (51:12)

Conclusion The "Christmas Movie Knight" episode of Gone Medieval serves as a festive guide for medieval film enthusiasts, blending nostalgic favorites with critical assessments of less successful portrayals. By balancing appreciation for well-crafted narratives with candid critiques of historical inaccuracies, Matt Lewis and Dr. Eleanor Jaenega provide a valuable resource for listeners seeking both entertainment and deeper insights into how the Middle Ages are represented in modern cinema.