Flesh & Blood is the most accurate depiction of medieval reality ever seen on screen. It's easy to see why other filmmakers have lacked the courage to be so honest: see the reviews here. Many reviewers have recoiled from the scene of such savagery and suffering. (In reality, Italy in 1501 was much worse than what Verhoeven shows us - maybe some day the human race will be ready to face our past without flinching, but not yet.) The film tells the story of a young and beautiful virgin (Agnes, played by Jason-Leigh) who has been raised in a convent by nuns. She is assigned to marry a young nobleman (Steven Arnolfini, played by Tom Burlinson) but on her way to the wedding has been stolen by a ragged, angry band of mercenaries led by a penniless landsknecht. Rutger Hauer delivers an excellent portrayal of the soldier Martin, who is ignorant but cunning, intelligent and resourceful, but a typical specimen of a brutal time. Young Arnolfini, on the other hand, is a Renaissance man, university educated, enthused by the new science and looking forward to a new world of reason. He admires da Vinci the scientist, but both men fall in love with the delectable Agnes. The traditional dictum "all's fair in love and war" is shown here with terrible power, as both men grab for love, money, and victory by whatever means they can.
Agnes is torn between these two men, both emotionally and physically. Martin appropriates her as war booty, but Steven wants to win her back. Martin and his merry band of soldiers and whores capture a rich and well-fortified château (with the help of young Agnes, who easily transforms from doe-eyed innocent into feral survivor in her new surroundings - quite a wonderful evolution!) Steven and his evil father coerce John Hawkwood (an important figure in history, as one of the most important leaders of the brutal and destructive mercenary bands that ravaged Italy at the time) to help them besiege the château, but in the end it was the Plague (and young Steven's fervent love) that destroys the our little band of outlaws and returns Agnes to the world of privilege she previously knew.
As an action story the the film works marvelously, but to fully appreciate Flesh + Blood it must also be viewed as an allegory (of the kind our medieval forebears loved so well). The 1500's were a time when science and superstition fought for the minds and souls of men, when the medieval world of ignorance was replaced by the dawn of reason. Agnes represents the innocent soul of man, malleable for good or evil. Steven is the future, Martin the past, but both wear the sh*t of violence and treachery on their heels. In the end, the future replaces the past; Steven walks off with the girl. But Martin survives. He loots some gold and jewels from the château. He;ll probably lose it all very soon, but you can be damn sure he'll have a lot of fun in the process.
10/10, with an arbusque shot
Agnes is torn between these two men, both emotionally and physically. Martin appropriates her as war booty, but Steven wants to win her back. Martin and his merry band of soldiers and whores capture a rich and well-fortified château (with the help of young Agnes, who easily transforms from doe-eyed innocent into feral survivor in her new surroundings - quite a wonderful evolution!) Steven and his evil father coerce John Hawkwood (an important figure in history, as one of the most important leaders of the brutal and destructive mercenary bands that ravaged Italy at the time) to help them besiege the château, but in the end it was the Plague (and young Steven's fervent love) that destroys the our little band of outlaws and returns Agnes to the world of privilege she previously knew.
As an action story the the film works marvelously, but to fully appreciate Flesh + Blood it must also be viewed as an allegory (of the kind our medieval forebears loved so well). The 1500's were a time when science and superstition fought for the minds and souls of men, when the medieval world of ignorance was replaced by the dawn of reason. Agnes represents the innocent soul of man, malleable for good or evil. Steven is the future, Martin the past, but both wear the sh*t of violence and treachery on their heels. In the end, the future replaces the past; Steven walks off with the girl. But Martin survives. He loots some gold and jewels from the château. He;ll probably lose it all very soon, but you can be damn sure he'll have a lot of fun in the process.
10/10, with an arbusque shot