MOVIES
On the next few pages, you will find film and documentary productions that in some form or fashion have at least one of the Military Orders represented in their run time. They range from the Golden Age of film (1930s) to the contemporary. Budgets vary due to time, but you will see that even as far back as the 1930s, some producers took the time to “get it as accurate as possible”. We hope you enjoy our selection, and be sure to check back occasionally, as we’ll update this list as we find more productions, that support our habit(s).
2007 - Arn
The Knight Templar
Arn Magnusson (Joakim Natterqvist) was brought up in a monastery after his divine healing from a serious illness, where he was taught how to fight by one of the monks, who belonged to the Knights Templar. When he hadserved his time, Arn returns to his father's village which is at war with a rival clan - and falls in love fairly quickly with Cecilia (Sofia Helin) who is to betrothed to another. Cecilia is soon pregnant, and out of jealousy her sister lies to the Bishop about Arn's advances -- so Arn is sent back to the monastery, and Cecilia is locked away with some dodgy nuns in a convent for twenty years.
The good monks decide to give Arn a new challenge to take him through the years of his penance - to travel to the Holy Land and become a Knight Templar. This is his story.
It is the year 1215 and the rebel barons of England have forced their despised King John to put his royal seal to the Magna Carta, a noble, seminal document that upheld the rights of free-men. Yet within months of pledging himself to the great charter, the King reneged on his word and assembled a mercenary army on the south coast of England with the intention of bringing the barons and the country back under his tyrannical rule. Barring his way stood the mighty Rochester castle, a place that would become the symbol of the rebel's momentous struggle for justice and freedom.
2011 - Ironclad
2005 - Kingdom of Heaven
It is the time of the Crusades during the Middle Ages - the world shaping 200-year collision between Europe and the East. A blacksmith named Balian has lost his family and nearly his faith. The religious wars raging in the far-off Holy Land seem remote to him, yet he is pulled into that immense drama. Amid the pageantry and intrigues of medieval Jerusalem he falls in love, grows into a leader, and ultimately uses all his courage and skill to defend the city against staggering odds. Destiny comes seeking Balian in the form of a great knight, Godfrey of Ibelin, a Crusader briefly home to France from fighting in the East. Revealing himself as Balian's father, Godfrey shows him the true meaning of knighthood and takes him on a journey across continents to the fabled Holy City. In Jerusalem at that moment--between the Second and Third Crusades--a fragile peace prevails, through the efforts of its enlightened Christian king, Baldwin IV, aided by his advisor Tiberias, and the military restraint of the legendary Muslim leader Saladin. But Baldwin's days are numbered, and strains of fanaticism, greed, and jealousy among the Crusaders threaten to shatter the truce. King Baldwin's vision of peace--a kingdom of heaven--is shared by a handful of knights, including Godfrey of Ibelin, who swear to uphold it with their lives and honor. As Godfrey passes his sword to his son, he also passes on that sacred oath: to protect the helpless, safeguard the peace, and work toward harmony between religions and cultures, so that a kingdom of heaven can flourish on earth. Balian takes the sword and steps into history.
2005 - Soldier of God
A Knights Templar meets a mysterious Muslim in the desert. They find refuge in an oasis at home of a beautiful woman. As the Knight falls for the woman and the simple life, he questions his Crusader ethos. But the Muslim holds a secret that will be bring devastation and change their lives for ever.
1983 - Robin of Sherwood (TV series)
Episode “Seven Poor Knights from Acre”
Crusaders returning from Palestine have their holy symbol stolen by a blind professional thief. Fiercely hunted by the enraged crusaders, the thief runs into the Sherwood Forest outlaws, making the crusaders mistake them for the thief's accomplices.
2004 - Alexander Kingdom, Power, Glory (Russian Production) features Livonian Knight
When young Prince Alexanders father is killed in mysterious circumstances he finds the reins of power thrown into his hands and the weight of a nation resting upon his shoulders. Sensing the nation’s weakness, the ferocious neighboring countries on each side of the princedom raise armies and march on the capital, while traitors within his own empire attempt to poison and dethrone Alexander at his wedding feast. Trapped with no choice other than to fight or meekly surrender and face annihilation, Alexander launches into one of the most desperate and bloodthirsty military campaigns in history.
1938 - Alexander Nevsky
features Teutonic Order and the Battle of Lake Peipus
The story of how a great Russian prince led a ragtag army to battle an invading force of Teutonic Knights.
1960 - Krzyzacy, Order of the Teutonic Knights
In the 15th century the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth is facing a hard struggle against the neighboring Teutonic Order.Frequent clashes between the two powers finally culminate in 1410 with the Battle of Grunwald.
1968 - The Valley of the Bees
features Teutonic Order
Ondrej, a young boy who loves bees and bats, is introduced to his new mother, a woman much younger than his father. He brings her a basketful of flowers which she starts to throw in the air and then gives out a shriek, as she discovers several bats in the bottom of the bowl. In a rage, Ondrej's father picks the boy up and hurls him against the wall. As the boy lays on the ground paralyzed the father promises the Holy Virgin to dedicate the boy to her if she spares his life. Ondrej survives and is raised in a strict Knightly Order, where he is mentored by a devout monk, Armin. But one day, an extraordinary event makes him doubt the Order and remember where he came from.
The young leader of the Spanish kingdom of Castile tries to get the various warring kingdoms of Spain to unite and join forces against the invading Moors.
1963 - The Castilian
features Order of Santiago (Reconquista)
1954 - King Richard and the Crusaders
While leading the Third Crusade, King Richard Lionheart battles treachery in his own camp as well as the Saracens and their charismatic leader Saladin.
1935 - The Crusades
King Richard and the Third Crusade (1190-1192) are given the DeMille treatment with more spectacle than history.
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