Old Stories and Contemporary Issues in Films about Antiquity and the Middle Ages: Idealistic Thinking, Sex, Lies, and Video Political Agendas

Based on rigorous film-analysis and historical comparisons, this book explorers the narrative filmmakers create by summarising complex historical issues, but which can lead to misconceptions about the past. Analysis of films such as Alexander Nevsky, Kryzact (1960)—also known as Knights of the Teutonic Order, The Black Knight, El Cid, The Great Warrior Skanderberg, Braveheart, The Seventh Seal, Spartacus, Gladiator, Brother Sun, Sister Moon, Saladin, Kingdom of Heaven and 300 offers students a broad range of examples to consider alongside the history of antiquity and medieval Europe. This book explores how the past is portrayed in the present and offers students and general readers a framework to unpick ‘historical’ films to see how the facts are woven into fiction.