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maraobrien
Reviews
Britannia (2017)
Depiction of Druids a bit far off, but overall good series
I do with they spoke with the broken grammar of 100AD Britons, instead of the modern English grammar and vocabulary. But I know audiences would have a hard time understanding that.
The depiction of the Druid priest seemed far off as nearly all Classical historians describe the Druids as rational, intelligent, strong, leaders of society in everything from Brehons (lawyers), Bards (orators), Generals (Merlin), and many other social classes.
"Britannia" portrays the Druid priest as sickly, psychotic, carved up. Even the Roman Empire described them as leaders of Celtic society, as strong and powerful, to be feared.
However, any portrayal of the ancient Britons is welcomed to movies, and ads to the diversity of views regarding the Celtic people and their Druids.
I like the casting of the Roman general as he seem truly befuddled by the whole point of his invasion of Britain (it was in reality for the gold in Wales and Britain).
Vikings (2013)
Large budget blockbuster, but wish dialogue was authentic
I expect the big sets and village locations, extras, with such a huge budget. But the dialogue seems too modern, I mean it sounds like the grammar of modern English, and not as primitive as they spoke back then. But I understand that would make it hard to understand, still I'd like to see more authenticity in that direction.
Acting is great. This series has made stars of many actors who otherwise we may have not had the chance to see.
Makeup is outstanding. Lots of talent in the makeup and effects crews. Also they had lots of money to work with, time and staff.
Cinematography is good, and expected of a mega money series. But I miss the closeups we see so often in more independent, smaller films, which don't spend so much time of huge wide production sets.
Sound, sound effects and music is of course outstanding.
Plot is boring. I mean it's just Vikings killing Saxons or other Vikings, it just doesn't seem to go anywhere in my mind. I look for true originality and creativity in a film series.
Overall though, I'm appreciative this series opens the doors to other heritage type film series. And despite its flaws I generally see it as quite good.
Celtics (2022)
Small controversial production that will Make It Big
I enjoyed every minute of this. Great to see excellent pronunciations of the Welsh, Scottish and Irish lines, it's a thrill to see this in films.
Powerful acting performances. Beautiful closeup camera work. Amazing makeup, wardrobe and textures. Natural forest lighting. Controversial heretical plot. A small independent film series made for $5,000 (according to their official website). Don't expect a $50 million "Vikings", "Britannia", "Game of Thrones", production, but will surely become that big.
Powerful acting by extremely gifted and dedicated actors. I was amazed, they will soon be world famous. Their emotional power and subtlety instantly capture us. At first I was caught off by the dialogue, as it was unlike anything I had ever seen in a movie. Then I read on their website that it was Celtic Iron Age dialogue, which didn't have all the vocabulary or grammar we have today, so then it made sense, but wow. That does take some getting used to. I love how they switch into real Irish, Welsh, Scottish Gaelic
Beautiful cinematography of the actors in closeup to catch all their emotions. Filmed in what seems like a Druid forest grove with natural lighting coming down through the forest trees, occasional wind blowing hair and fog coming through. Camera work which frames and focuses on just the actors performance, not some big production set. Truly indie movie camera work.
Makeup, wardrobe and props, with all the texture and detail I expected from a historical Celtic film. Huge apparently steel Druid 'religious books', spears, banners, all were there as I expected to see, and more.
Plot is very controversial as it tells 'history from the Celtic view, not the establishment court historians' according to their official website. This storyline is sure to upset those have been taught the establishment history version. It is original in it's vision. This Celtics film series will become big because it has a niche of its own , and a sense of real talent over big names.
This is truly a film series that Thinks Differently and Questions Authority.
A must see.
The Last Kingdom (2015)
Expensive sets got in the way of the Acting
Expensive sets got in the way of the Acting. I like to see real raw acting up close for a long time so I really get into the character. I'm sure the story is great, just that the cutaways to the huge expensive sets took away from getting close into the actors.
Lighting was often too dark as well, and while it can provide mood at times, I wanted to see the actors faces better. So often on these big budget historical movies they sacrifice the actors truly great extended performances for just a big "expensive block buster show". Just my two cents. I like the smaller lower budget films that lets us see the actors and feel the emotions.