Movie Review: Richard the Lionheart

Richard the Lionheart

Claang Entertainment, DOMA Entertainment, WonderPhil Productions, Wonderphil Entertainment, USA, Italy, 2013.

In Gaul 55 B.C. Julius Caesar (Umberto Procopio) searches for a magic sword that is stronger than other swords. Celtic witch (Veronica Calilli) gives it to him, and Caesar repays by killing the witch. The witch casts a curse that will last for 1000 years. A fortress is built where prisoners must fight for freedom against invincible opponents.

In 1172 A.D. Richard (Greg Chandler Maness) is in Italy boozing. He is an arrogant brat.  He is betrayed by his brother Henry the Young (Andrea Zirio) and father King Henry II (Malcolm McDowell). King plans to see if Richard is worthy of being a king.

Richard

Henry the Young

King Henry II

The fortress is supervised by ruthless Selector (Stewart Arnold). Richard and other prisoners are chained together and put into cruel challenges. Richard must survive three torments. Cell mate Basileus (Burton Perez) heals Richard's wounds and tries to teach humility to Richard. There is also a Basileus' girlfriend Ghaliya (Yudith Carrion) in neighbour cell. In first torment the prisoners have to fight against a zombie knight. Richard manages to win. He has a dream and gets the magic sword.

Selector

Basileus

Ghaliya

Meanwhile King Louis of France and Count Chester are planning to invade England. Henry begins to miss Richard. The second torment means big trouble for Richard and Basileus. Henry's sons are starting a rebellion against him.

Big trouble

Again Stefano Milla uses a variation of his previous gladiator themed movies ("Gladiator Games" and "Kingdom of Gladiators"). Actors are slightly better althoug there are still many amateurs. The budget seems to have been slightly higher. However dubbing problems and bad voice recording are still present. The story seems complicated first, but turns out to be quite straightforward forging of a hero story. This time they could afford some gore effects also. The filming locations and castles near Turin look great.

Roar!

The film mixes real historical figures with fiction. This is not a movie of Richard the Lionheart's crusade or reign but aims to be Richard's origin story. As a small scale independent film with quite misleading cover art it is not a huge blockbuster for demanding audiences. At right mindset it is entertaining though. It manages to be a decent gritty medieval adventure and the best effort Stefano Milla has managed to direct until now. The sequel "Richard The Lionheart: Rebellion" is to be released in 2015.

Rating: Good (for a low budget indie film)

Starring: Greg Chandler Maness, Burton Perez, Malcolm McDowell, Stewart Arnold, Andrea Zirio, Yudith Carrion, Christopher Jones, Daniele Lucca, Veronica Calilli, Diego Casale, Alessandra Piscopo, Thomas Tinker, Alice Lussiana Parente, Alfredo Vasta, Umberto Procopio, Davide Luisi, Raul Cremonse, Fabio Morsilli, Massimone, Gianluca Calamai, Luca Fontolan, Alessandro Bianchi, Twillo Giardina, Davide Chiolero, Gian Luca Mezzogori, Davide Ferricchio, Paolo Carlo Ratti, Ezio Ruzzafante, Lorenzo Riviezzo, Simone Masoero, Federico Dodero Podio, Valentina Conti, Silvia Vergnano, Tania Benvegnu, Ivan Aversa, Lino Vitale, Simonetta Rastello, Luigi Pizzardo, Dennis Forrester, Claudio Battista, Moa Zhendehrazmi, Maurizio Corigliano, Sharon Fryer

Director: Stefano Milla