This historically haywire film about Frederick I Barbarossa, Holy Roman Emperor, lets its fine subject down
Barbarossa: Siege Lord (2009)
Director: Renzo Martinelli
Entertainment grade: E
History grade: C
Frederick I Barbarossa was King of Germany and later Holy Roman Emperor, ruling from 1155-1190. Operation Barbarossa, the 1941 German invasion of the Soviet Union, was named after him.
People
The film begins with a boy, Alberto, accidentally stumbling into the path of Frederick I when the emperor is hunting wild boar in northern Italy. Armed with a crossbow, Alberto manages to kill the boar just before it gores the emperor. This is fiction. The adult Alberto da Giussano is held to have been a great warrior of the Guelph faction, leading the Lombard League to victory at the Battle of Legnano in 1176. There's no firm evidence that he existed. The early encounter with Frederick and a boar has been invented for the film,...
Barbarossa: Siege Lord (2009)
Director: Renzo Martinelli
Entertainment grade: E
History grade: C
Frederick I Barbarossa was King of Germany and later Holy Roman Emperor, ruling from 1155-1190. Operation Barbarossa, the 1941 German invasion of the Soviet Union, was named after him.
People
The film begins with a boy, Alberto, accidentally stumbling into the path of Frederick I when the emperor is hunting wild boar in northern Italy. Armed with a crossbow, Alberto manages to kill the boar just before it gores the emperor. This is fiction. The adult Alberto da Giussano is held to have been a great warrior of the Guelph faction, leading the Lombard League to victory at the Battle of Legnano in 1176. There's no firm evidence that he existed. The early encounter with Frederick and a boar has been invented for the film,...
- 5/16/2012
- by Alex von Tunzelmann
- The Guardian - Film News
Starring: Rutger Hauer, Raz Degan, F. Murray Abraham, Kasia Smutniak
Written by: Renzo Martinelli, Giorgio Schottler, and Anna Samueli (Screenplay)
Directed by: Renzo Martinelli
Sword of War is the fictionalized tale of Emperor Frederick I, known as Barbarossa, and his quest for the throne of Charlemagne. The majority of the movie takes place in Northern Italy during the 12th century struggles for freedom. Sadly, they didn’t concentrate on the fierce battles and conquests, but made the story a confusing and boring mish-mash of romance, mysticism, and local politics.
The movie opens with an almost unreadable wall of text in that annoying illuminated calligraphic font which gives you the plot: Barbarossa wants to control all of Italy, but one man puts together a 900 man fighting force called The Company of Death to stop his rule over Milan and the other northern cities. Had they concentrated on the battles and the strategy,...
Written by: Renzo Martinelli, Giorgio Schottler, and Anna Samueli (Screenplay)
Directed by: Renzo Martinelli
Sword of War is the fictionalized tale of Emperor Frederick I, known as Barbarossa, and his quest for the throne of Charlemagne. The majority of the movie takes place in Northern Italy during the 12th century struggles for freedom. Sadly, they didn’t concentrate on the fierce battles and conquests, but made the story a confusing and boring mish-mash of romance, mysticism, and local politics.
The movie opens with an almost unreadable wall of text in that annoying illuminated calligraphic font which gives you the plot: Barbarossa wants to control all of Italy, but one man puts together a 900 man fighting force called The Company of Death to stop his rule over Milan and the other northern cities. Had they concentrated on the battles and the strategy,...
- 4/26/2011
- by VoodooEyedTreatDemon
- Planet Fury
Dutch actor Rutger Hauer is no stranger to medieval epics with Flesh & Blood and Ladyhawke both highlights on his varied CV. In Barbarossa Siege Lord, released on Blu-ray and DVD last week from Metrodome, Hauer takes on the role of Frederick I. The film is an ambitious Italian/ Romanian co-production telling the epic tale of the German Holy Roman Emperor during his numerous crusades through Italy.
In Italy during the 12th Century the Northern Lands are ruled by the German Emperor Frederick Hohenstaufen known as Barbarossa, a name meaning red beard in Italian. His dream is to conquer the lands of Central and Southern Italy to revive the Empire that once belonged to Charles The Great. However, in the North there is a young man from Milan named Alberto da Giussano (Raz Degan). His dream is to defeat the Emperor and give freedom back to people from the Northern lands.
In Italy during the 12th Century the Northern Lands are ruled by the German Emperor Frederick Hohenstaufen known as Barbarossa, a name meaning red beard in Italian. His dream is to conquer the lands of Central and Southern Italy to revive the Empire that once belonged to Charles The Great. However, in the North there is a young man from Milan named Alberto da Giussano (Raz Degan). His dream is to defeat the Emperor and give freedom back to people from the Northern lands.
- 4/11/2011
- by Chris Wright
- Obsessed with Film
It’s another packed week of DVD and Blu-ray releases, here’s the rundown of what’s available to buy from today, April 4th 2011.
Megamind (DVD/Blu-ray)
Packed with high-flying action and non-stop laughs, Megamind puts a whole new hilarious twist on the superhero movie. Super villain Megamind’s (Will Ferrell) dreams have come true when he conquers the city’s protector, Metro Man (Brad Pitt), gaining control of Metro City. But when a new villain (Jonah Hill) is created and chaos runs rampant, the world’s biggest “mind” and his comic sidekick Minion (David Cross) might actually save the day. Review.
Glee: Season 2 Volume 1 (DVD)
Glee follows a hopeful teacher who attempts to save McKinley High’s Glee Club from obscurity while helping a group of talented kids realize their true star potential. Entering its sophomore season, Glee is a biting musical comedy that has quickly become a pop-culture phenomenon.
Megamind (DVD/Blu-ray)
Packed with high-flying action and non-stop laughs, Megamind puts a whole new hilarious twist on the superhero movie. Super villain Megamind’s (Will Ferrell) dreams have come true when he conquers the city’s protector, Metro Man (Brad Pitt), gaining control of Metro City. But when a new villain (Jonah Hill) is created and chaos runs rampant, the world’s biggest “mind” and his comic sidekick Minion (David Cross) might actually save the day. Review.
Glee: Season 2 Volume 1 (DVD)
Glee follows a hopeful teacher who attempts to save McKinley High’s Glee Club from obscurity while helping a group of talented kids realize their true star potential. Entering its sophomore season, Glee is a biting musical comedy that has quickly become a pop-culture phenomenon.
- 4/4/2011
- by Phil
- Nerdly
To celebrate today’s release of Barbarossa: Siege Lord which stars Rutger Hauer, Raz Degan and F. Murray Abraham, Metrodome Distribution have given us three copies of the DVD to give away.
Synopsis: Rutger Hauer stars as Germanic Emperor Frederick Barbarossa in this bloodthirsty tale of a deadly medieval siege. Set in Northern Italy, Barbarossa plans to capture the regions of South and Centre and recreate the empire, which many years ago belonged to Charlemagne. As deadly clashes break out between the people of the land, fighting for independence and social status, Barbarossa struggles to keep control. Featuring epic battles scenes and explosive action, prepare to join the fight for freedom.
Barbarossa: Seige Lord is released today, 4th April.
To be in with a chance of winning a copy of the movie, just answer the following question using the form below.
Who directed the movie, Barbarossa: Siege Lord?...
Synopsis: Rutger Hauer stars as Germanic Emperor Frederick Barbarossa in this bloodthirsty tale of a deadly medieval siege. Set in Northern Italy, Barbarossa plans to capture the regions of South and Centre and recreate the empire, which many years ago belonged to Charlemagne. As deadly clashes break out between the people of the land, fighting for independence and social status, Barbarossa struggles to keep control. Featuring epic battles scenes and explosive action, prepare to join the fight for freedom.
Barbarossa: Seige Lord is released today, 4th April.
To be in with a chance of winning a copy of the movie, just answer the following question using the form below.
Who directed the movie, Barbarossa: Siege Lord?...
- 4/3/2011
- by Competitons
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Barbarossa: Siege Lord
Stars: Rutger Hauer, Raz Degan, F. Murray Abraham, Christo Jivkov, Antonio Cupo, Cécile Cassel, Kasia Smutniak | Written by Renzo Martinelli, Giorgio Schottler | Directed by Renzo Martinelli
Rutger Hauer stars as Germanic Emperor Frederick Barbarossa in this bloodthirsty tale of a deadly medieval siege. Set in Northern Italy, Barbarossa plans to capture the regions of South and Centre and recreate the empire, which many years ago belonged to Charlemagne. As deadly clashes break out between the people of the land, fighting for independence and social status, Barbarossa struggles to keep control. Barbarossa’s problems are further exacerbated when a young man from Milan, along with his army of 900 men known as the “Company of Death”, challenge the Emperors reign.
An ambitious Italian/Romanian co-production, Barbarossa is an epic of historic proportions that despite its flaws is actually a solidly made affair. Originally aired in a 200 minute cut in its native Italy,...
Stars: Rutger Hauer, Raz Degan, F. Murray Abraham, Christo Jivkov, Antonio Cupo, Cécile Cassel, Kasia Smutniak | Written by Renzo Martinelli, Giorgio Schottler | Directed by Renzo Martinelli
Rutger Hauer stars as Germanic Emperor Frederick Barbarossa in this bloodthirsty tale of a deadly medieval siege. Set in Northern Italy, Barbarossa plans to capture the regions of South and Centre and recreate the empire, which many years ago belonged to Charlemagne. As deadly clashes break out between the people of the land, fighting for independence and social status, Barbarossa struggles to keep control. Barbarossa’s problems are further exacerbated when a young man from Milan, along with his army of 900 men known as the “Company of Death”, challenge the Emperors reign.
An ambitious Italian/Romanian co-production, Barbarossa is an epic of historic proportions that despite its flaws is actually a solidly made affair. Originally aired in a 200 minute cut in its native Italy,...
- 4/3/2011
- by Phil
- Nerdly
Dutch actor Rutger Hauer's first appearance on the geek radar was as replicant Roy Batty in Ridley Scott's iconic Blade Runner back in 1982.
Since then he has been in such films as Sin City and Batman Begins and recently landed the role of Van Helsing in Dario Argento's Dracula 3D, due out in 2012.
In 2009, he played the title role of German emperor Barbarossa in director Renzo Martinelli's historical drama Barbarossa: Siege Lord, which Metrodome is bringing to DVD and Blu-ray in the UK on April 4.
The synopsis and a trailer are included below.
Synopsis:
The ultimate knight faces his final crusade...
Rutger Hauer stars as Germanic Emperor Frederick Hohenstaufen - known as Barbarossa (Italian for 'red beard') - in this bloodthirsty tale of a deadly medieval siege.
Set in 12th century Northern Italy, Barbarossa plans to capture the central and southern regions and recreate the empire,...
Since then he has been in such films as Sin City and Batman Begins and recently landed the role of Van Helsing in Dario Argento's Dracula 3D, due out in 2012.
In 2009, he played the title role of German emperor Barbarossa in director Renzo Martinelli's historical drama Barbarossa: Siege Lord, which Metrodome is bringing to DVD and Blu-ray in the UK on April 4.
The synopsis and a trailer are included below.
Synopsis:
The ultimate knight faces his final crusade...
Rutger Hauer stars as Germanic Emperor Frederick Hohenstaufen - known as Barbarossa (Italian for 'red beard') - in this bloodthirsty tale of a deadly medieval siege.
Set in 12th century Northern Italy, Barbarossa plans to capture the central and southern regions and recreate the empire,...
- 3/16/2011
- by David Bentley
- The Geek Files
Metrodome have announced a handful a new UK DVD releases for March and April, including historical epics, a disaster movie and a supernatural kung-fu fest! Coming in the next couple of months are:
Bathory (DVD)
Anna Friel (Pushing Daisies) delivers a sensational performance as Elisabeth Bathory, the Vampire Countess, in the chilling true story of one of history’s most notorious tyrants. History remembers Countess Bathory as the most sadistic murderess who ever lived, a monstrous killer of more than 650 innocent lives, who delighted in the torture of her victims and bathed in their still warm blood in an unholy quest for immortality. With epic and explosive battle scenes, this award-winning portrayal of the Countess challenges the traditional story and explores the woman behind the legend… Bathory is released on DVD on March 7th.
Demon Empire (DVD)
Enter the stunning fantasy world of Mid-Heaven in the magical action epic from...
Bathory (DVD)
Anna Friel (Pushing Daisies) delivers a sensational performance as Elisabeth Bathory, the Vampire Countess, in the chilling true story of one of history’s most notorious tyrants. History remembers Countess Bathory as the most sadistic murderess who ever lived, a monstrous killer of more than 650 innocent lives, who delighted in the torture of her victims and bathed in their still warm blood in an unholy quest for immortality. With epic and explosive battle scenes, this award-winning portrayal of the Countess challenges the traditional story and explores the woman behind the legend… Bathory is released on DVD on March 7th.
Demon Empire (DVD)
Enter the stunning fantasy world of Mid-Heaven in the magical action epic from...
- 3/3/2011
- by Phil
- Nerdly
Most of you fellow movie lovers have probably never heard of this film since it is a direct-to-dvd release from Lionsgate. The movie revolves around Barbarossa (Rutger Hauer), the evil emperor of Germany and his conquest to rule all of Europe. After taking over Milan, the citizens decide to take revenge against Barbarossa and destroy his reign. The cast includes F. Murray Abraham (Amadeus, Scarface).
After saving Barbarossa from a boar attack, young Milan native Alberto da Giussano (Raz Degan) is rewarded with the emperor’s dagger, as a token of his appreciation.
After saving Barbarossa from a boar attack, young Milan native Alberto da Giussano (Raz Degan) is rewarded with the emperor’s dagger, as a token of his appreciation.
Years later Alberto is reunited with Barbarossa but under different conditions. Barbarossa and his large army is wiping through Europe and taking over empire after empire. Alberto attempts to...
After saving Barbarossa from a boar attack, young Milan native Alberto da Giussano (Raz Degan) is rewarded with the emperor’s dagger, as a token of his appreciation.
After saving Barbarossa from a boar attack, young Milan native Alberto da Giussano (Raz Degan) is rewarded with the emperor’s dagger, as a token of his appreciation.
Years later Alberto is reunited with Barbarossa but under different conditions. Barbarossa and his large army is wiping through Europe and taking over empire after empire. Alberto attempts to...
- 3/1/2011
- by Trevor Hollis
- JustPressPlay.net
Hitting movie theaters this weekend:
Drive Angry – Nicolas Cage, Amber Heard, William Fichtner
Hall Pass – Owen Wilson, Jason Sudeikis, Christina Applegate
Shelter – Julianne Moore, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Jeffrey DeMunn (limited)
Movie of the Week
Hall Pass
The Stars: Owen Wilson, Jason Sudeikis, Christina Applegate
The Plot: A married man (Wilson) is granted the opportunity to have an affair by his wife.
The Buzz: I’m happy to see, after a four-year hiatus, the Farrelly Brothers are back (Dumb & Dumber, There’s Something About Mary, Shallow Hal) — it’s also nice to see Owen Wilson back to his regular Hollywood hard-working self. I didn’t think the red-band trailer for Hall Pass was as funny as the green-band, but I am still holding out hope that the Farrelly’s and Mr. Wilson are as good a match-up in reality as they are on paper. The supporting cast looks solid, with Jason Sudeikis,...
Drive Angry – Nicolas Cage, Amber Heard, William Fichtner
Hall Pass – Owen Wilson, Jason Sudeikis, Christina Applegate
Shelter – Julianne Moore, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Jeffrey DeMunn (limited)
Movie of the Week
Hall Pass
The Stars: Owen Wilson, Jason Sudeikis, Christina Applegate
The Plot: A married man (Wilson) is granted the opportunity to have an affair by his wife.
The Buzz: I’m happy to see, after a four-year hiatus, the Farrelly Brothers are back (Dumb & Dumber, There’s Something About Mary, Shallow Hal) — it’s also nice to see Owen Wilson back to his regular Hollywood hard-working self. I didn’t think the red-band trailer for Hall Pass was as funny as the green-band, but I am still holding out hope that the Farrelly’s and Mr. Wilson are as good a match-up in reality as they are on paper. The supporting cast looks solid, with Jason Sudeikis,...
- 2/22/2011
- by Aaron Ruffcorn
- The Scorecard Review
A look at what's new on DVD today:
"Black Lightning" (2009)
Directed by Dmitriy Kiselev and Aleksandr Voytinskiy
Released by Universal Studios
"Wanted" director Timur Bekmambetov produced this Russian action flick about a man and his flying car, using the same effects team that worked on all of his previous films including "Night Watch." A Russian trailer is here since where we're going, we don't need to understand words.
"7th Hunt" (2010)
Directed by Jon Cohen
Released by Vanguard Cinema
A motley group of young adults are abducted and forced to fend for their survival at an abandoned military training center in the middle of nowhere in Jon Cohen's thriller.
"Alien Vs. Ninja" (2010)
Directed by Seiji Chiba
Released by Funimation
A selection of last year's New York Asian Film Festival, Seiji Chiba's crazy genre mashup may just be "the best and wittiest movie ever to air at 2am on the SyFy Channel" in the future,...
"Black Lightning" (2009)
Directed by Dmitriy Kiselev and Aleksandr Voytinskiy
Released by Universal Studios
"Wanted" director Timur Bekmambetov produced this Russian action flick about a man and his flying car, using the same effects team that worked on all of his previous films including "Night Watch." A Russian trailer is here since where we're going, we don't need to understand words.
"7th Hunt" (2010)
Directed by Jon Cohen
Released by Vanguard Cinema
A motley group of young adults are abducted and forced to fend for their survival at an abandoned military training center in the middle of nowhere in Jon Cohen's thriller.
"Alien Vs. Ninja" (2010)
Directed by Seiji Chiba
Released by Funimation
A selection of last year's New York Asian Film Festival, Seiji Chiba's crazy genre mashup may just be "the best and wittiest movie ever to air at 2am on the SyFy Channel" in the future,...
- 2/21/2011
- by Stephen Saito
- ifc.com
*Full disclosure: a screener copy of this film was provided by Lightning Entertainment.
Director: Renzo Martinelli.
Writers: Renzo Martinelli, Giogio Schottler, and Anna Samueli.
Sword of War was originally released in Italy as Barbarossa in 2009. The sixty year old director Renzo Marinelli has produced an Italian Braveheart here, and possibly even Italian propaganda. Soldiers of the Company of Death scream "freedom!" in either Italian or English at different points in the film to confused excitement. This film did poorly in Italian markets, with Sword of War not recouping even half of its $9 million dollar price tag. Now, this historical epic will wade into a competitive North American DVD market February 22nd. Not really a film for Italian markets, as it is in English and not really a film for North American markets, as it covers obscure Italian and German history, Sword of War is for those harbouring a sweet tooth for historical,...
Director: Renzo Martinelli.
Writers: Renzo Martinelli, Giogio Schottler, and Anna Samueli.
Sword of War was originally released in Italy as Barbarossa in 2009. The sixty year old director Renzo Marinelli has produced an Italian Braveheart here, and possibly even Italian propaganda. Soldiers of the Company of Death scream "freedom!" in either Italian or English at different points in the film to confused excitement. This film did poorly in Italian markets, with Sword of War not recouping even half of its $9 million dollar price tag. Now, this historical epic will wade into a competitive North American DVD market February 22nd. Not really a film for Italian markets, as it is in English and not really a film for North American markets, as it covers obscure Italian and German history, Sword of War is for those harbouring a sweet tooth for historical,...
- 1/15/2011
- by Remove28DaysLaterAnalysisThis@gmail.com (Michael Allen)
- 28 Days Later Analysis
Venice film festival overshadowed by allegations of nepotism and elitism among jury
Venice film festival, the oldest and one of the most glamorous cinema awards ceremonies in the world, has been overshadowed this year by allegations of nepotism and elitism among the jury, with Silvio Berlusconi's government threatening to intervene and hand pick next year's judges.
In a magazine interview published yesterday, the Italian culture minister launched a stinging attack on American film director Quentin Tarantino, who led this year's jury, calling him "the expression of an elitist, relativist and snobbish culture."
Sandro Bondi also slammed the judges' choice of winners, which did not include any Italian films, and said he would take part in the selection of next year's jury, "since [the festival] is financed by the state". The Italian government contributes €7m (£5.8m) to the festival's €12m budget.
Bondi told the Italian magazine Panorama that Tarantino "pays no attention...
Venice film festival, the oldest and one of the most glamorous cinema awards ceremonies in the world, has been overshadowed this year by allegations of nepotism and elitism among the jury, with Silvio Berlusconi's government threatening to intervene and hand pick next year's judges.
In a magazine interview published yesterday, the Italian culture minister launched a stinging attack on American film director Quentin Tarantino, who led this year's jury, calling him "the expression of an elitist, relativist and snobbish culture."
Sandro Bondi also slammed the judges' choice of winners, which did not include any Italian films, and said he would take part in the selection of next year's jury, "since [the festival] is financed by the state". The Italian government contributes €7m (£5.8m) to the festival's €12m budget.
Bondi told the Italian magazine Panorama that Tarantino "pays no attention...
- 9/17/2010
- by Tom Kington
- The Guardian - Film News
Sandro Bondi pledges to take part in selection of next year's Venice film festival jury after Tarantino's controversial tenure as head
Silvio Berlusconi's culture minister has launched a stinging attack on Quentin Tarantino, who headed the jury at this year's Venice film festival, calling the American director "the expression of an elitist, relativist and snobbish culture".
Sandro Bondi also slammed the prize-giving at Venice – where no Italian films were rewarded – and pledged to take part in the selection of next year's jury, "since it is financed by the state".
Tarantino, Bondi told Italian magazine Panorama on Friday, "pays no attention to the sentiment and the tastes of the people and of tradition, which are now considered unsophisticated and outdated. And that vision influences his critical judgment of films, including foreign films."
Venice's top prize this year went to Sofia Coppola for her film Somewhere, a decision the Italian media...
Silvio Berlusconi's culture minister has launched a stinging attack on Quentin Tarantino, who headed the jury at this year's Venice film festival, calling the American director "the expression of an elitist, relativist and snobbish culture".
Sandro Bondi also slammed the prize-giving at Venice – where no Italian films were rewarded – and pledged to take part in the selection of next year's jury, "since it is financed by the state".
Tarantino, Bondi told Italian magazine Panorama on Friday, "pays no attention to the sentiment and the tastes of the people and of tradition, which are now considered unsophisticated and outdated. And that vision influences his critical judgment of films, including foreign films."
Venice's top prize this year went to Sofia Coppola for her film Somewhere, a decision the Italian media...
- 9/17/2010
- by Tom Kington
- The Guardian - Film News
London -- Irish-American "Tip" O'Neill once remarked that "all politics is local," an observation that almost certainly could have bannered the movie industry across Europe this year as the runners and riders gear up for 2010.
As the Speaker of the House of Representatives, O'Neill believed that accounting for -- and to -- your local constituency equated to political success. He was popular because he listened to his people.
And in every major territory across Europe -- from the U.K. to Germany, France, Italy and Spain -- the movie movers-and-shakers who have lived and died by the local sword in 2009 will be looking at 2010 as a year unlikely to bring change to that outlook.
The U.K. is set to break the billion-pound boxoffice threshold by the end of the year with admissions also beating last year's figures by the end of 2009, with production activity rising during 2009 from the previous year.
As the Speaker of the House of Representatives, O'Neill believed that accounting for -- and to -- your local constituency equated to political success. He was popular because he listened to his people.
And in every major territory across Europe -- from the U.K. to Germany, France, Italy and Spain -- the movie movers-and-shakers who have lived and died by the local sword in 2009 will be looking at 2010 as a year unlikely to bring change to that outlook.
The U.K. is set to break the billion-pound boxoffice threshold by the end of the year with admissions also beating last year's figures by the end of 2009, with production activity rising during 2009 from the previous year.
- 12/21/2009
- by By Stuart Kemp
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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