Customer Reviews

THE WARLORD with Charlton Heston (The War Lord) (O Senhor da Guerra) (High Quality Import Edition-NTSC format-Region 1-Playable in North America)(Adventure)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The War Lord is not Charlton Heston's greatest film, but is not bad. This import DVD from Classicline is in English with Portuguese subtitles. The quality of the print and sound are fine--no problems here.

This is an exact copy of this little-known Charlton Heston film. Only the cover is in Portugese, the film is in it's original English, not dubbed. The quality is good, and the price is great, compared to the "collector" prices that folks want for the English-cover version.

Over the years I have bought this movie several times as it really brings the life and times of its characters into full view. This has an exceptionally strong cast and will be watched and enjoyed by any history buff.

I had heard this 1965 outing was a very different film to most of Heston's earlier '60s epics (El Cid etc) so bought on that basis plus Richard Boone as lead support is also usually an interesting performer.

Directed by Franklin Schaffner who later went on to direct Patton, Papillon and Boys from Brazil, it simply is a very offbeat and interesting epic, with a different look and feel from dress and hairstyles to cinematography and script (covering paganism, seigneurial rights and the role of feudal rule in regional northern France in the 11th century) that contrasts well with many other Over The Top epics of the '60s. Some things do not change (Heston's wooden acting especially the grinding of his jawbone when in moments of great doubt and the inevitable grand siege battle near the end) but the film benefits from a lack of big budget and works harder as a result to deliver a much more interesting style low key epic.

P.S. Boone is great as Heston's loyal manservant and a good contrast to Guy Stockwell's performance of the jealous younger brother of Heston and the DVD although from Brazil retains the original English language soundtrack so you simply need to switch off the Portugese subtitles.

This Portugese Version of the Classic "War Lord" is a favorite movie of mine. With the Portugese subtitles ommited it Plays like the Original movie. What a treasure! The original play was "The Lovers" and this story has enough romance for anyone. But the attention to detail and microcosim of Medieval History is the true treasure of this film. The cast of thousands and their murky motives are not missed as we see the Canvas of this time in its closeup perspective. Charleton Heston gave as much to this role as any of his big budget epics. The interplay of Celtic hold over and budding Christianity is a subplot. The "Dark Ages" were darkindeed with no certainty on the part of its active participants. Battle scenes and Castle detail are eloquent and perceptive. Should be required veiwing of Medieval History students. A welcome return in this format.Richard Boone's role steals most of the scenes he's in. As a "reenactor" I think the accuracy of detail portrayed is worthy of merit.

At the time, and still, a well crafted and realistic portrayal of middle medieval life that isn't or can't be made anymore. Sure, Rosemary is too beautiful, and James Farentino is 60's clean cut, but the other characters and costuming are spot on. The sword work is also top of the line, photographed to let it play out in actual action and not high tech manipulation.

A must for lovers of acting, action, history and romance.

Great DVD/Great movie. This is from Brazil? Who would know. Looks good and the original English soundtrack plays by default. What's not to like?

Charlton Heston performed to his usual high standards and the movie lived up to its description as a pretty honest portrayal of the Middle Ages.

I am particularly impressed with the company that shipped the DVD. They even furnished the order with a little sheet describing how to navigate the DVD's Portuguese menu.

For years, I have been searching for a copy of the DVD, THE WAR LORD, starring Charleton Heston and Richard Boone. I had found it online for $80.00! Later I found it for $29.99 but still could not justify spending that for a DVD; even for the movie Heston said was his favorite of his films. I found it here at a great price, and it is perfect. Take away the subtitles and it is just perfect. I could not be more pleased!

This is one of my most favorite movies ever! I can watch it endlessly and every time its magic works perfectly! It is so good that it would be a sin to give any spoilers so let's just say that this is a very good attempt at a historical drama happening in the Dark Ages of Europe. The story takes place around year 1000 AD in northern France. In this times Europe finally started to recover from the terrible times of Great Migrations (476-955) and the emergence of new states, like Kingdom of France and Germanic Empire, brought finally some stability to populations.

It is during this time that Chrysagon de la Crue (Charlton Heston), a redoubtable knight in service of King of France, arrives in the domain that he received as a reward. He is supposed to rule the place and get income from it, but also defend it against barbarian plunderers from Frisia (a land divided today between Netherlands and Germany). He brings with him another knight, his younger brother Draco, as well as a handful of faithful soldiers, or, as they were called in this time in France "sergents d'armes" - commoners who served as foot soldiers under the command of a knight for a wage. That covers the first two minutes of the movie... and about the rest of the story I will say nothing.

There are many excellent things in this movie. First let's say that "The War Lord" tries really hard to stick to the reality of the X century in Western Europe. Costumes, weapons, armor and fighting tactics are really well described (well, there are of course little imperfections, but this simply can not be avoided). The siege scenes are particularly excellent and I count "The War Lord" as the BEST MEDIEVAL SIEGE MOVIE Hollywood managed to produce ever, before "The Lord of the Rings"! The survival of some pagan customs in remote corners of Christian France is also very well shown.

Then there is the love story. It is incredibly good, poignant, full of fire, beautiful, plunged in the middle of broken taboos and pagan magic. Bronwyn (Rosemary Forsyth), the girl Chrysagon falls in love with, is (mostly unwillingly) the perfect example of "femme fatale". Passions rising around her will devour the whole place of action with burning flames (literally) and then wash it with a river of blood.

The scenario is very good (it is an adaptation of a Broadway theatrical piece) and all the actors give an excellent performance. Other than Heston and Forsyth, special mention goes to Richard Boone, who plays Volc, personal servant to Chrysagon and chief sergeant of his soldiers, as well as to James Farentino, who plays a wealthy local farmer.

And then finally there are Frisian barbarians, who ARE NOT in any way related to Vikings (contrary to what is sometimes suggested). In year 1000 AD Viking raids on Europe were mostly a thing of the past, with the notable exception of Ireland, which dealt with them finally in 1014, year of the famous battle of Clontarf. No horned helmets here, no red bearded giants and no dragon ships - just a thousand honest, hard working, highly efficient blood thirsty pagan (and terminally blond) barbarians on a murderous rampage...))

This movie is a splendor, a treasure, a wonder. To buy, watch, keep and re-watch. Enjoy!