Hi Everyone, After over a year of planning, its nearly time to go and do our 22 day Best of Europe vacation. Can you suggest a classic movie that can enhance our children's experience of castles- moats-drawbridge-knights etc. I would love to sit and watch a great film with the kids so when we tour the castles, they will have a better appreciation of what they are seeing. Any help is appreciated. The kids are 7,9, and 11.
Posted by
Reston, Virginia
403 posts
I would dearly love to suggest Monty Python and the Holy Grail, which is filled with castles and knights. Unfortunately, not everyone thinks it is appropriate for children under 12, and they are probably right. So....two wonderful films bookend this era, Alfred the Great (1969) which shows how primitive the early Middle Ages were, and The Return of Martin Guerre, which is set during the 16th century Reformation. But two films that might be just what you are looking for are: El Cid, with Charlton Heston, and The Messenger (Joan of Arc). The Lion in Winter has fantastic castle scenery, but the plot basically consists of people saying cruel things to one another, a sort of Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf 12th century style. Becket, with Richard Burton, might be ok, but your kids might find it dull.
Posted by
Los Angeles, California
1986 posts
Camelot! Dare I suggest a book???????Thats where I learned all about the Knights. And the wonderful poem of King Arthur's death
Posted by
Fort Wayne, IN, USA
2349 posts
Mel Brooks, "History of the World, Part 1."
Posted by
Myrtle Beach, USA
12314 posts
I guess everyone has their own taste. My kids watched the Holy Grail a bunch and enjoyed it. Most of the humor is crass though. For classics, maybe Errol Flynn as Robin Hood or Tony Curtis' The Black Shield of Falworth. More recently, I liked The Count of Monte Cristo - it stayed fairly true to a great book. I also liked Kingdom of Heaven for a medieval feel (even though it only starts and ends in Europe). Sean Connery also did the Name of the Rose, which is a mystery set in a medieval monestary. Braveheart has scenes where people get armored up for some hacking and slashing.
Posted by
Calgary
2297 posts
We watched "The Vikings" with Kirk Douglas and Tony Curtis after coming back from France. The film was filmed in large parts in Fort La Latte in Brittany which we had visited. Lots of great action!
Posted by
Calgary
2297 posts
We watched "The Vikings" with Kirk Douglas and Tony Curtis after coming back from France. The film was filmed in large parts in Fort La Latte in Brittany which we had visited. Lots of great action!
Posted by
Holmes Beach, Florida
12 posts
Ladyhawke---- Abruzzi region of Italy, LaAquila castle, mountain top castle(La Rocca Calasuia) movie takes place aboute 60 miles northeast of Rome, has the Knights in it you requested and is a family move
Posted by
Danville, VT
12040 posts
"The Court Jester". Danny Kaye at his best, I loved that movie as a kid. The best depiction I have ever seen of medieval warfare on film is from Kenneth Branaugh's "Henry V", although kids will probably find this movie boring.
Posted by
Texas
531 posts
Robin hood with uma Thurman and Patrick bergin or with Russell Crowe and cate blanchett. Also First Knight with Sean Connery
Posted by
OP
Lynn, MA, USA
104 posts
You guys have been great!! Lots of good ideas and a few weeks to watch one or more of these. What a wonderful worldwide community this is with so many helpful people. After many years of going all over Mexico, (27 trips) I finally convinced my husband to see the other parts of the world. After a soulful trip to Italy in 2009, we are back to Europe in a few weeks - for a few weeks. I hope the trip is as great as all the reading, planning, and RS DVD's. I hope to meet local families, share in the local cultures and customs, wonder at the history of the land and see new places and new faces. Isn't travel wonderful!! Thank you to everyone!