Available on Netflix since November 8, the film Medieval immediately won over subscribers. This bloody and brutal historical drama tells the story of a Czech hero, a military commander who has never lost a battle.
Barely arrived on Netflix, the film Medieval has already conquered subscribers. Starring Ben Foster as legendary warrior Jan Zizka, the film garnered talk as the most expensive Czech film ever made, aiming to bring one of the country’s most revered icons to life.
The film, which is Petr Jákl’s third as screenwriter and director, traces the early life of Hussite commander Zizka who, at the time, was a mercenary leader. When the Holy Roman Empire is thrown into chaos upon the death of its ruler, a feud for the crown erupts between King Wenceslas and King Sigismund.
Tasked with kidnapping Lord Rosenberg’s (Til Schweiger) future wife, Lady Katherine (Sophie Lowe), in an effort to hinder the rise to power of the lord and his king Sigismund, Zizka sets out to honor his king whose word he believes.
As Katherine finds herself embroiled in a political game, Zizka is seduced by her determination to help her people and falls in love with her. He then renounces his duty to his king to help overturn the corrupt power struggle between kings and lords, for the good of the people.
Ben Foster (The Program) leads a fine cast that also includes Matthew Goode, Michael Caine, and William Moseley (The Chronicles of Narnia). With its star-studded cast and large-scale production, this was Jakl’s highest-budget and highest-profile film, edging out his last two films, Kajínek and A Ukrainian Cannibal, with budgets exceeding $23 million.
Mediaval is available on Netflix.