Black Death is an Effective Medieval Horror Tale
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Black Death is a well-acted story that combines religion with the Black Plague. It plays with questions of faith and belief yet never grows too complex to be enjoyable.
Written by James "Crypticpsych" Lasome
February 24, 2011
Buy on Amazon U.K.
Movie Trailer
Image Gallery
Release: 2010 (Various Festivals), March 11, 2011 (US Limited)
Directed by: Christopher Smith
Written by: Dario Poloni
Starring:
Sean Bean as Ulric
Eddie Redmayne as Osmund
Carice van Houten as Langiva
David Warner as The Abbot
Kimberley Nixon as Averill
In Medieval Europe in 1348, the bubonic plague has ravaged the continent, a path of the sick and the dead left in its wake. Ulric (Bean), a knight under the Church's service, has been sent to investigate claims that a village exists, untouched by the disease. He gathers a group of men and heads to a monastery to find a guide. A young monk named Osmund (Redmayne) volunteers himself for the task, having grown up near where the village is reputed to be. Unbeknownst to his fellow monks and Ulric's party, Osmund also hopes to meet up with his love, Averill (Nixon), whom he sent away in the hopes of protecting her from the sickness.
After the group sets out, Ulric reveals to Osmund the true nature of their party's mission. While it is true that the Bishop wants them to find the reputed village, they are not going in peace. Rather, they've been sent to verify claims that the village is filled with human-sacrificing Pagans led by a necromancer who can raise the dead. As their journey grows more difficult and dangerous, Osmund finds himself questioning his beliefs and faith. Will they find the village they are searching for? And are the rumors about its inhabitants true?
If there is one subject I love to see discussed in movies, it's religion. Belief has always fascinated me, as have the concepts of right and wrong that usually accompany it. Black Death, a German/British co-production, more than satisfactorily fits that bill, presenting not only the fascinating twists and turns that Osmund's faith takes him through, but also giving a more-layered-than-usual examination of right and wrong in terms of the conversion of Pagans. Many movies have taken the angle that the armies of the Church in the Middle Ages were evil and imposed their will upon innocent people. Christopher Smith's film adds to that by asking if their actions can possibly be seen as the lesser of two evils when juxtaposed against possible black magic and necromancy. The question of who is really "good" when the film reaches its conclusion is probably the overriding theme of the film that stuck with me most.
Technically speaking, Black Death is a success in terms of its feel, setting, and effects. I freely admit that I do feel the opening monastery scenes of the film are a little slow to me and seem a little off for a reason I can't put my finger on. Once we're beyond that and our group is�together, though, the film really begins hitting its stride as we're confronted with devastated plague villages, misty and foggy forests and marshes, and a clear sense of the melancholy that must have come when the real sickness hit.
Also, the few gore effects that are seen (and the blood that sometimes sprays) are effective and feel organic to the scenes. The tortures (another subject of the Middle Ages that fascinates me to some degree) are also very effective and feel like they could do definite damage. These include a drawing and quartering, crucifixion (of a sort), and a particularly nasty looking device used to hold a prisoner for transport.
The cast of Black Death is all great with the three main roles being worthy of particular mention. Bean's "Ulric" balances out Redmayne's "Osmund" perfectly, 
almost heroic foils of each other. Ulric is played as single-minded, steadfastly faithful, and skeptical of anything that would present an alternative viewpoint. Osmund, on the other hand, is continually shown questioning his faith, emotionally demanding answers from his God when things go wrong. Meanwhile, Carice van Houten's "Langiva" seems to channel the best elements of Lord Summerisle from The Wicker Man while adding a few touches of her own. The key to a role like this is to convey a sense of mystery alongside the possibility for both great good and evil; van Houten pulls this off brilliantly.
There are a few minor issues, though. First, as I mentioned earlier, the very beginning of Black Death seems a little slow to develop. Granted, this problem resolves itself fairly quickly. Secondly, while there is some degree of differentiation between the other men in Ulric's troop, most don't seem to be written in such a way as to be individually unique. Finally, I'll admit that a piece of the movie's ending seems to create a mild plot hole that I am willing to overlook but still feel the need to point out.
Overall, Black Death is a recommended, complex piece of period horror. Its engaging story, great characters and performances, and accurate feel help to create a wholly memorable experience. No matter what you believe, it's definitely a story worth examining.
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