Storyline
Plague-ridden medieval England: Bodies lie scattered in their hundreds, the country is in turmoil. One hope remains, rumours of a village that is unaffected by the deadly disease. As God's ambassador, young monk Osmund is tasked in leading the fearsome knight Ulrich and his group of mercenaries to the remote village. Their quest is to hunt down a necromancer - someone able to bring the dead back to life. Their journey is treacherous and filled with danger; encountering deadly bandits and vicious witch-burnings that will put their faith to the ultimate test. Though it's upon entering the village that their true horror begins... |
This film is claustrophobic and shakes its cameras mercilessly, but it is commendably vicious and unforgiving. I will admit to being more intrigued by the prologue than the film itself, but I can see how it would have been difficult to form a narrative arc around a merciless witch hunter, whereas this film's unfolding progresses nicely. I also enjoyed Bean's tired conviction, his subdued presentation was more nuanced than the fervour I expected.