Travis Simpkins

The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1923): Lon Chaney as Quasimodo in Silent, Medieval France

Directed byWallace Worsley, produced by Carl Laemmle and based on the novel by Victor Hugo, The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1923) was the Star production of Universal Studios at the time... and it made a major star of Lon Chaney, who had previously worked mostly on smaller character roles. Chaney's make-up and demeanor in The Hunchback of Notre Dame would prove to be an influence on his later projects, as well as the future of Horror film production, which can still be sensed today. The studio shelled out big bucks for the 15th Century-style Notre Dame Cathedral set in the film, and it shows... every backdrop is well-suited and fascinating. Lon Chaney is amazing as Quasimodo, and the rest of the cast is great as well, including Patsy Ruth Miller as Esmeralda.

Lon Chaney: The Hunchback of Notre Dame. 1923

a scene from "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" (1923)

The Eagle (2011): Ancient Roman Occupied Britain

Directed by Kevin Macdonald, based on the book by Rosemary Sutcliff, The Eagle (2011) is one of the better Roman epics to have been released in recent years. The story concerns a Roman soldier in occupied Britain, accompanied by a slave, who ventures past Hadrian's Wall in 140 A.D. into enemy territory to find out what happened to the lost Ninth Legion, missing for twenty years… and the treasured golden Eagle, a symbol of Rome, that they brought with them to battle. Limited use of CGI and realistic battle scenes make for a gritty and well-spent two hours. The cast does a fine job, including Channing Tatum, Jamie Bell, Donald Sutherland and Mark Strong.

Channing Tatum: The Eagle

: The Eagle

Channing Tatum and Donald Sutherland: The Eagle

: The Eagle

Channing Tatum: The Eagle

Channing Tatum : The Eagle

Channing Tatum: The Eagle

: The Eagle

Channing Tatum: The Eagle

: The Eagle

Channing Tatum: The Eagle

"The Eagle"- movie trailer

The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc (1999): Milla Jovovich as the 15th Century Martyr and Saint

Co-written and directed by Luc Besson, The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc (1999), or simply "Jeanne d'Arc" in France, portrays the life of the 15th Century martyr and Saint with style and virtue. Her life is shown from girlhood visions, to her leading the French Army in battles against the English, to her condemnation and death by burning at the stake in 1431. Epic in scale, the battle scenes are tense and dramatic and the attention to period detail is well-thought. Milla Jovovich is excellent as Joan of Arc, and the rest of the cast is good as well, including John Malkovich, Faye Dunaway and Dustin Hoffman.