Customer Reviews

Warrior Queen

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

I am a big fan of Celtic History, so when a sibling recommended this movie, I looked forward to watching it. Well, I had to admit I was rather disappointed. This film was little better than "Viking Queen" (cheesy 1967 film loosely based on the life of Boudicca), and in part I thought it was worse, because it was produced by PBS, and purported to be `historically accurate'.

History: Its difficult to discuss the historical accuracy of Warrior Queen, without giving away major plot points. Let me just say, that a little research will prove that there were great liberties taken in the screenplay and the ending.... Distressingly inaccurate and silly.

Plot: the story was one sided. Celts = Good. Romans = Bad. While the depredations and depravity of the Romans were well covered in this film, Boudicca and the other Celtic tribes were equally brutal to Roman settlers and their families, often committing atrocities worse than those of the Romans. This was, of course omitted to make the Celts appear to be `pure' and the Romans `villainous and unscrupulous.' (However one may feel about Roman expansionism, they weren't all evil and corrupt).

The Setting: I thought this was the most accurate. The Roman camps, and the Celtic roundhouses were well done.

The Costuming: contrary to what was portrayed in the film, the Celts, especially the Celtic elite (of which Boudicca and her daughters were a part), understood proper hygiene, combed their hair, and did not run about the country side covered with dirt. Boudicca would need to inspire her troops with her wealth and power, not frighten them with her knotted dread-locked hair and Conan-garb.

Customs: The Celts may not have a traditional written language, but they are strong orators. The skill of their bards, druids and poets were well known. Druids were educated for years in specialized schools. However, when faced with events where oration is required Boudicca and her drippy husband say nothing. The druid says nothing. They appear ignorant and savage rather than strong, boastful and hospitality conscious.

Finally: Celtic Combat. The Celts did not have such a highly developed cavalry. They relied on foot soldiers and charioteers to deliver devastation upon their enemies. I know of no incidents where Children were used to `burrow' underneath roman forts to create spider-holes and can't imagine a Roman legion falling for such a blatant ploy. Silly.

I could go on and on, but I won't. Warrior Queen was an ok piece of entertainment...But as a docu-drama it didn't work for me.

While this film fails miserably as a documentary, it does succeed as an entertaining action / adventure movie. I enjoyed it immensely. However, I must also admit that I'm a big Xena fan and since the historical Boudica served as the model and prototype for the fictional Xena character my opinion is probably somewhat subjective in nature. Nevertheless I'll give it anyway.

First and foremost remember, this is a made-for-television movie. Any attempts to compare this production with the likes of such theatrical blockbusters as 'Braveheart,' or 'King Arthur' would be not only unfair but ridiculous. Scaled as it was for the small screen, I found the production values to be quite high. I also disagree with some reviewers who thought the acting was substandard. Alex Kingston was wonderful in the role of Boudica, perfectly capturing the fierce warrior spirit of the Celtic queen and her love for the land and her people. I also enjoyed the performance of the lovely Emily Blunt playing the part of her oldest daughter Isolda.

Enjoy this movie for what it is, not what it could have been. And, if you're a Xena fan as I am (owning all 6 seasons on DVD), this is an ABSOLUTE MUST! To my knowledge this is the only film dealing with the life of Boudica. Flawed as it is, it does provide insight into this historical heroines' passion for life and courage in the face of impossible odds. Good reference material for the serious Xenaphile. It deserves a spot in your DVD collection.

Admittedly I know very little ancient Irish history but all the same found the movie The Warrior Queen to be an inspiration to look further and deeper into the subject. Many of the other reviewers listed here seem to have exceptionally high standards for their televised historical docu-dramas. In my own case, I hadn't planned on watching the movie at all and found it one night when channel surfing with my husband. It took us a minute or two to get a sense of what was going on, but then we got completely swept up in this epic. It is a romp of a movie that has it all: several different varieties of love, compelling political intrigue, attempts to represent possible war technologies from the past, and even mysteries in the form of Celtic magic. I didn't feel the Romans were presented as "all bad," nor the Celts as "noble savages". The day after watching this movie, I went on-line and read all I could find on Boudicca -what a fascinating figure she is! And I didn't think less of the movie for any inaccuracies since it sounds as if many aspects of this woman's life remain open questions. So, this movie gets an Irish blessing from me, as follows: If you're not a PhD in Boudiccology, and you're curious about an anti-Roman revolt lead by a woman -which was very nearly successful, than may this movie be your spring board into an intensely interesting moment in Irish history! Sit back, watch, be amazed and enjoy.

This movie is a fast and loose stab at telling the tale of the English Celtic queen Boadicea (or Boudica)although apparently at least one reviewer thinks she was Irish. All a bit too sword and sorcery-like for me. Costuming for the Iceni tribe and particularly for the heroine was atrocious and unrepresentative. Since the only written narrative of the rebellion came from the Romans we have only their inherent biases to go on for historical accuracy. This is a story that longs to be told and filmed well...this attempt just isn't it.

Okay, there's bad, and then there's utterly dreadful. This falls into the later category. The producers don't even try to conceal the fact that this is totally biased. To add insult to injury, the costumes and overall production are absolutely terrible. The Celts look like something out of the movie "Caveman" while the Romans look straight out of a low-budget movie from the 1960's.

I was able to forgive the cheesy sequences depicting magic, however the fact that every attrocity committed by Boudicca is conveniently overlooked is unforgivable. It is only mentioned in passing that they had sacked Londinium (London). No mention of the fact that every citizen unable to leave was murderously butchered. Most historians agree that approximately 80,000 were killed in Boudicca's rampage, most of them fellow Brittons.

The Roman tactics were the most abominable I have ever seen. Children burrowing under a camp and hamstringing the legionaries?? Say what?? If the Romans were so easily beaten by children and teenage girls (yeah, I loved how Boudicca's daughters are able to cut down numerous Roman soldiers before falling in the final battle), then it is doubtful they would have ever conquered the known world in the first place. Their armor looked straight out of a third-grade Halloween party as well.

It is painfully obvious that no effort was made whatsoever with historical integrity. What you have is a piece of poorly made Celtic propoganda that even the most die-hard "woad" could not find inspiring.

If you want to learn about Boudicca's rebellion, read "Imperial Governor" by George Shipway. It is the book that the movie SHOULD have been based on. Don't waste your time watching this; I honestly felt like my IQ had dropped a few points after suffering through it!

This film does have a plot, the trouble is, so much else about the film fails that its not worth watching.

The main plot is how a warrior queen (Sybil Danning) comes to Pompeii to free some slaves and is courted by the governor (Donald Pleasance). Other sub-plots involve what happens to those slaves. In the end the volcano erupts and buries everyone, taking them out of our misery. There is a slave auction where nude men and women are suspended by either their wrists or ankes, a gladiator combat that seems to avoid any real thrills, and the most fake looking head-on-a-stake in movie history. The most successful scene is where Pleasance attempts to entertain Danning at a court feast, but only succeeds in boring her. We actually feel the boredom deep in the pits of our soul.

For fans of Roman movies, this is only for the most desparate completist suffering from insomnia. For a movie with strong, scantily clad warrior women, gladiator combat, and swordfights, try something like the simillarly titled "Barbarian Queen" with Lana Clarkson.

This presentation is a mixed bag of history and fantasy elements posing as a Masterpiece Theatre incarnation. By utilizing the time elements of ancient Rome when Claudius was in power and the paganistic practices of the Celts in Brittany, the legend of Queen Boudicca is brought to life by an excellent interpretation by actress Alex Kingston but, unfortunately, is bound by a constricting 99 minute running time (unless the British cut was much longer). It is a UK/Romania co-production and is very impressive. 'LAST OF THE MOHICANS' star Steven Waddington plays the Iceni Ruler Prasutagus and actor Jack Shepherd who played Renfield in the BBC 'COUNT DRACULA ' with Louis Jourdan makes a stammering Claudius as they both are poisoned by their inner political cabinets since both men want a peaceful negotiation and the Young Nero and pagan priest wish bloodshed. When Boudicca is brutally whipped and forced to watch her two daughters being raped by an entire Roman garrison, she vows vengeance and in the 'SPARTACUS" vein, helps to bring Rome almost to her knees by forming an incredible army utilizing Guerilla warfare unheard of by the Romans. However, the fantasy elements are interwoven brilliantly in to the storyline showing how their paganistic beliefs can transcend the gods of Rome in some truly haunting scenes. The acting is flawless, besides our key players, we have a very early role by Emily Blunt who plays one of Boudicca's daughters Isolde in an incredibly haunting delirium which the viewer can never shake every time she's on the screen; Andrew Lee Potts give his Emperor Nero the right touch of evil and decadence but the real scene stealer is Michael Feast as Suetonius ,the head of the armies of Rome who tries to tell Nero to back off and leave Brittany to its own existence. The sequence where Nero circles him like a cobra waiting to strike and Suetonius not even blinking an eyelash and glaring back at him in true disdain is bravura acting at its best. The photography by Tudor Lucaciu gives the production a true elegance and the music by Nina Humphries echoes the chants of Joseph Loduca's music to the 'XENA-WARRIOR PRINCESS" series. This DVD release by BFS seems to be a repackaging of the PBS DVD released back in 2004 and is sans extras with not even new release trailers or featurettes. I was not aware of that release so I have to go by the quality of this one and its a nice 1.85 transfer with good sound and color. Some plot elements may disappoint but all in all, its a true must for Epic film fans just for the performances alone. For a truly different and more exciting approach to the Roman/Celt conflict, purchase or rent Neil Marshall's superb film 'CENTURION' which takes place around the same time but discards the fantasy elements.

This movie is about the worst! It is just terrible. The box features the Tantalizing picture of Former Playboy Cover Girl SYBIL DANNING as the warrior queen who is going to save innocent slaves from Roman oppression. Sybil is hardly seen in the movie and has very little dialogue. The scenes of destruction are all taken from an earlier movie. The acting is terrible and the plot is nonexistant.

Just an awful movie all the way around. Not recommended for anyone.

I loved Alex Kingston (of ER and numerous British period pieces) as the fierce, yet human Queen Boudica (also spelled Boadicea)! She was believably tough, yet believably naive in her struggles with the overwhelming forces of Rome. The whole plot boils down to a clash of two cultures: one ancient and decentralized and one a "modern" empire which butchers with ruthless efficiency. An inspiring tribute to the human spirit!

If you know anything about Boudicca and are looking for a both entertaining and accurate movie, your half right. Entertaining it is, accurate, far from it.

To give away what has been edited or deleted from the facts would give away the story, but as someone who is educated on her story,I was not pleased. If I would have known how inaccurate this movie was, I would have not purchased it.