Black Death (2010)

Set during the time of the first outbreak of bubonic plague in England, a young monk is given the task of learning the truth about reports of people being brought back to life in a small village.

Director:

Christopher Smith

Writer:

Dario Poloni (screenplay)

Stars:

Eddie Redmayne, Sean Bean, Carice van Houten

3 wins & 7 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Sean Bean	...	Ulrich
Eddie Redmayne	...	Osmund
John Lynch	...	Wolfstan
Tim McInnerny	...	Hob
Kimberley Nixon	...	Averill
Andy Nyman	...	Dalywag
David Warner	...	Abbot
Johnny Harris	...	Mold
Emun Elliott	...	Swire
Tygo Gernandt	...	Ivo
Jamie Ballard	...	Griff
Carice van Houten	...	Langiva
Daniel Steiner	...	Monk
Tobias Kasimirowicz	...	Grimbold
Keith Dunphy	...	Witch Finder

Storyline

Set during the time of the first outbreak of bubonic plague in England, a young monk is tasked with learning the truth about reports of people being brought back to life, a mission that pulls him toward a village ruler who has made a dark pact with evil forces.

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Plot Keywords:

bubonic plague | village | forest | monk | black death | 

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Taglines:

In an age of darkness one man will face the ultimate battle against evil.

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Drama | History | Horror | Mystery

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong brutal violence, and some language

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

Germany UK

Language:

English Latin

Release Date:

11 June 2010 (UK)

Also Known As:

Black Death

Filming Locations:

Germany

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$6,692 (USA) (11 March 2011)

Gross:

$22,045 (USA) (8 April 2011)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Egoli Tossell Film, HanWay Films, Zephyr Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

102 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This is the second time Christopher Smith has made a film in Germany; parts of Creep were filmed there too. Despite being in English with an English cast and director, Black Death (2010) is essentially a German film.

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Goofs

When Osmund is pursuing Langiva into the forest, a large drop of water appears to be hanging in mid air, showing that it is clinging to the lens of the camera being used to film the scene.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Wolfstan: The fumes of the dead are in the air like poison. The plague, more cruel and more pitiless than war, descended upon us. A pestilence, that would leave half of our kingdom dead. Where did it come from? What carried its germ. The priests told us it was God's punishment. For what sin? What commandment must we break that could earn this? No, we knew the truth. This was not God's work, but devilry. Or witchcraft. But our task, to hunt down a demon, was God's cure.

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Connections

References The Seventh Seal (1957)

User Reviews

Really surprised and a nice twist too

Set in 1348 the Black Death is at it peak, however, one village appears to be immune to the plague. Ulric (Sean Bean) devoted Christian enlist the help of a Monk (Eddie Redmayne) to lead him and his men through dangerous lands to this unholy village where it is said the dead are being brought back to life.

Two British directors and writers really standout for me in recent years, Neil Marshall (Dog Soldiers, Descent and Doomsday) and Christopher Smith (Creep, Triangle and Severance). Smith's latest offering has it the mark with a blend of swords, Catholicism and Wicker released the same year Neil Marshall's well advertised Centurion, which on first viewing was bloody but average compared to Marshall's other work.

Smith's vision with marshes, fog and mists across the lands it oozes atmosphere. The gritty realistic sets and settings are note worthy, everything looks authentic and aged, perfect for first outbreak of bubonic plague. There's some great practical effects, cadavers, dismemberment's and blood. The flights are finely choreographed and swordplay is raw and relentless as limbs are hacked off.

The latter part of the film slows down, building tension in the seemingly safe village, Smith's develops the eerie strangeness of the rural superbly, reminiscent of the Wickerman (1973 & 2006), In the Name of the Rose (1986) and The Village (2004).

Although in fear of being typecast as another chain armoured soldier Bean gives a passionate and gripping performance, and newcomer Redmayne plays the confounded monk Osmund's admirably. The supporting cast, even though another band mercenaries are memorable and the characters are developed. Comedy actor Tim McInnerny is satisfactory in an unusual serious role as the village head. There's a notable cameo by David Warner as The Abbot. However, it's Carice van Houten who steals the show as Langiva the striking necromancer.

There's a little too much shaky hand held camera work at times, that aside the cinematography is first rate. Dario Poloni screenplay is the icing on the cake, as the dialogue feels authentic and unforced, compared to the aforementioned other period piece. It explores religious beliefs, faith, witch hunts, occultism and much more.

With low expectation's for another period piece, I was pleasantly surprised by Smith's vision. Certainly not perfect or the grandest film; however, it's a gripping medieval, satanic mystery action that has a nice original twist at the end.