Flesh and Blood [DVD]

Flesh and Blood is a 1985 movie by Paul Verhoeven, the director who is most notable for his sci-fi films such as Robocop, Total Recall and Starship Troopers. In this film he turns his attention to the late Medieval/early Renaissance era with an adventure that follows a group of Landsknecht mercenaries.

It is 1501, and war is raging in Italy. Arnolfini, a rich and powerful warlord is besieging an enemy town. Assisting Arnolfini's army is Captain Martin and his band of mercenary thugs. When Martin's troops are victorious in taking the town, Arnolfini betrays them and confiscates all their loot for himself - booting Martin's men out of the town in the process.
Martin's soldiers find themselves wandering aimlessly through the countryside until they uncover a statue of St. Martin. A cardinal sees this as a sign that they have been favoured by God. Invigorated by this news, the band hatch a plot of revenge against Arnolfini by kidnapping Agnes, the bride to be for Arnolfini's son, Steven. This sets off a series of events that sees them fighting their way across the land, storming a castle, battling knights, and facing a terrible plague.

Despite being mostly ignored during its release, Flesh and Blood is an excellent film, and probably one of the best films about this much ignored time period.
The acting is usually brilliant, especially that by the reliable Rutger Hauer (Blade Runner) as the roguish Martin, and the wonderfully over acting Ronald Lacey (Raiders of the Lost Ark) as a mad, self-flagellating Cardinal.

Although it is not entirely accurate, the film does make an attempt at realism with the relatively correct costumes and authentic late medieval castles as sets.
The directing by Verhoeven is good, and the film contains many memorable scenes. The music is an epic orchestral score, and it's good but forgettable. The story moves along at a brisk pace, but it does slow down a bit after the gang find themselves trapped in a castle - although it never becomes boring or dull.

It should be noted that this film is filled with scenes of brutal violence and graphic nudity from the beginning, making no attempt at presenting an idyllic version of the past. Verhoeven wants to present an anti-medieval movie - there are no Knights in shining armour rescuing damsels in distress; instead it is a study of a cruel and savage world. Verhoeven makes sure the film's never too serious and never too silly, making a rather balanced movie.

This film is worth getting if you want to see an action packed medieval adventure movie. Just don't expect a too serious story and you might enjoy it.

The DVD - sadly there aren't any special features, and the menu is primitive - using only symbols instead of words, but there are still chapter selections. The film has a soundtrack in English, German, French, Italian and Spanish. There is also a hard of hearing option in English and German.

Flesh and blood" is not a new movie, but the DVD was released in 2004. The film was actually shot by nowadays well-established director, Paul Verhoeven, in 1985. The film is an epic adventure, set in medieval Europe, in 1510. In the hectic and morally bankrupt Europe of that time, Martin, a ruthless warrior, leads his band of soldiers into battle to reclaim a castle for a nobleman, Arnolfini. When they achieve their goal and Arnolfini betrays them by giving them nothing from what he has promised, Martin and his group become outlaws. They seek for revenge, causing misery and death on their path. They kidnap an innocent young maiden who is betrothed to Arnolfini's son, a fearless Renaissance man who must risk life to rescue the woman he loves.

The first time I saw the film was in the beginning of the 90's. I was just 11 years old and even though the film is rated ®, I loved it. That does not mean that any children of that age should be allowed to watch that film! I became addicted to it and kept watching it everyday for a week. I haven't seen it again until now, on DVD, and I wasn't disappointed. "Flesh and blood" is exactly what I remembered, the best epic film I have ever seen in my life! It is truly an undiscovered "diamond" of the 80's. The film depicts the corruption of the middle Ages; rapes, betrayal, immorality, distorted religion and the plague that was killing them all. The film is shot in real location, in medieval castles in Spain and one can feel that energy in the film. "Flesh and blood" is victoriously bloody and triumphantly rough and realistic; and as reality maybe tough for some people, this film is not for everyone but for those who are not shocked easily!

Paul Verhoeven's medievel epic certainly lives up to it's title!
Rape, murder, pillaging, brain damaged nuns, plague ridden dogs, and some disgusting table manners infest this offbeat tale of Rutger Hauers gang of vicious mercenaries. There's some excellent action sequences and some raunchy behaviour between Hauer and a young Jennifer Jason Leigh in a hot-tub! Splendidly bloody and gloriously offensive entertainment!