Travis Simpkins

Saturday, October 28, 2017

Ironclad (2011): A Knight Templar Defends Rochester Castle

Co-written and directed by Jonathan English, Ironclad (2011) is an underrated and powerful film that is full of medieval action and bloody battle scenes. In 1215 A.D., after King John concedes and signs the Magna Carta, he refuses to honor his word and tries to reclaim England by force… a Templar Knight and others rebel with dedicated fury, using Rochester Castle as their point of defense. The sets, recreated and shot in Wales, are amazingly detailed and the limited-color cinematography is moody and brilliant. James Purefoy is powerful as the Knight Templar. Paul Giamatti is villainous as King John. The supporting cast is good as well, including Brian Cox, Derek Jacobi and Kate Mara.

Ironclad. 2011: Paul Giamatti and King John

Ironclad. 2011: Brian Cox

Ironclad. 2011: A Knight Templar Defends Rochester Castle

Ironclad. 2011: James Purefoy as a Knight Templar

Ironclad. 2011: Kate Mara

Ironclad. 2011: James Purefoy as a Knight Templar

Ironclad. 2011: A Knight Templar Defends Rochester Castle

Ironclad. 2011: Paul Giamatti and King John

Ironclad. 2011: Brian Cox

Ironclad. 2011: James Purefoy as a Knight Templar

Ironclad. 2011: Kate Mara

Ironclad. 2011: James Purefoy as a Knight Templar and Kate Mara

Ironclad. 2011: Paul Giamatti and King John

Ironclad. 2011: Kate Mara

Ironclad. 2011: James Purefoy as a Knight Templar

Ironclad. 2011: A Knight Templar Defends Rochester Castle

Ironclad. 2011: Kate Mara

Ironclad. 2011: James Purefoy as a Knight Templar

Ironclad. 2011: A Knight Templar Defends Rochester Castle

Ironclad. 2011: Paul Giamatti and King John

Ironclad. 2011: A Knight Templar Defends Rochester Castle

Ironclad. 2011: James Purefoy as a Knight Templar

Ironclad. 2011: A Knight Templar Defends Rochester Castle

Ironclad. 2011: Kate Mara

Ironclad. 2011: James Purefoy as a Knight Templar

King Arthur (2004): Clive Owen, Keira Knightley as Guinevere

Directed by Antoine Fuqua, and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, King Arthur (2004) adds a big-budget cinematic twist to the historical and often-romanticized Arthurian Legend. The epic story portrays Arthur as a Roman soldier in Britain during the Dark Ages, following orders against his better judgment and leading his knights into battle against the barbarian Saxons. King Arthur, Merlin, Lancelot and Guinevere are all accounted for in the plot… attempting to put a real-life spin on the mythicized Camelot and the Knights of the Roundtable. The battle scenes (including a great scene on the cracking ice of a frozen lake) are well choreographed and the costumes provide a believable period feel. Clive Owen is good in the lead role as Artorius Castus (Arthur). Keira Knightley is beautiful as the pagan Guinevere. The rest of the cast does an admirable job as well, including Ioan Gruffudd, Stephen Dillane, Stellan Skarsgard, Ray Winstone, Hugh Dancy, Til Schweiger and Mads Mikkelsen.