THE WAR LORD
US, 1965, 120 minutes, Colour.
Charlton Heston, Richard Boone, Rosemary Forsyth, Maurice Evans, Guy Stockwell, Niall Mac Ginnis, Henry Wilcoxon.
Directed by Franklin J. Schaffner.
The War Lord is a mixture of serious drama from the feudal period along with several battles with Normans clashing with Friesians. It is a star vehicle for Charlton Heston, who at this time made such films as The Agony and the Ecstasy and Khartoum.
While the battle sequences at beginning and end of film give the impression of a stirring action drama, the whole focus of the film is on Heston's role as Chrisagon, appointed by the duke to manage a remote and lawless area of Britain. Wounded in battle, entrance by the traditions of the Druids and their pagan rites, he demands the droit du seigneur, spending the marital night with the wife of a subject. (This theme was presented strongly at the beginning of Braveheart.) The young woman is played by Rosemary Forsyth (who, thirty years later, appeared in such films as Disclosure and John Carpenter's Ghosts of Mars). Richard Boone is gruff as the guardian for the lord, Guy Stockwell struts as his brother. A young James Farentino is the embittered husband. The head of the Druids is played by Niall Mac Ginnis, the head of the Friesians by veteran Henry Wilcoxon. Maurice Evans is rather mincing as a priest who acts as a liaison between the Christians and the Druids. The film offers a contrast for Charlton Heston between this rather subdued role and his all-conquering El Cid, both films set in the 11th century.
1. The mixture of action drama with serious issues in the feudal period? The film based on a play (by Leslie Stevens)? The film opened out?
2. The 11th century settings, the remote lands, the marshlands, the coast, the castle, the village? Costumes and décor? Armaments, siege weapons? The atmosphere of the period? Musical score?
3. The title, the focus on Chrisagon, his twenty years of doing battle, his liege homage to the duke, in charge of the area, to battle against the Friesians?
4. His arrival, his character, Charlton Heston's style and screen presence? Twenty years, no relationships, on the battlefield, saving his brother from having to fight? His being aided by Bors? His arrival, his attitude towards the Friesians, the initial battles? The taking of the boy? His seeing the villagers, seeing Bronwyn? His infatuation with her? In the water, letting her go? The festivities, the droit du seigneur, his not wanting to follow it, attracted by the pagan rituals, the explanation of the priest, the head of the village explaining that if he took her according to Christian principles it would be rape, if he took her according to pagan principles, it was part of the tradition? His disregard of Marc? His rule of the area, relationship with the priest and discussions with him, the clashes and jealousy of Draco, reliance on Bors? His taking Bronwyn, her attraction to him, the wedding night? His not wanting to let her go? The invasion, the betrayal by the dwarf, the siege, dangling the boy over the parapet by Draco, Draco going to get help, Bors and the cutting of the boats? The battle, Draco and his being in charge, the clash with his brother, their fight and his death? Chrisagon giving the boy back, the withdrawal of the Friesians, the offer of safe passage? His sense of duty, remaining? His sending Bronwyn away? The villagers and the attack, Marc and his attempt on Chrisagon's life, Bors killing him? A film of weariness, disillusion?
5. Bronwyn, her place in the village, with Marc, his father? Suspected of being a witch? In the water, the rescue by Chrisagon? Her being summoned to the palace, holding him down during the cauterising sequence? The preparation for marriage, her resistance to Chrisagon, the droit du seigneur, her going, her love for him, her staying? Marc, in the village, the celebration, his impetuosity, his grief at what she had done? Animosity, the villagers turning against Chrisagon? Marc's attempt on his life? Bronwyn and her staying, support of Chrisagon, his sending her away?
6. Draco, the relationship between the two brothers, Draco and his love for power? Treatment of the villagers, disdain? Jealousy of his brother? The discussions with the priest, setting up the droit du seigneur? His going to get reinforcements, taking over, the clash with his brother, his death?
7. Bors, the history of Chrisagon's father, fidelity, protection? In the sieges? Advice? His fidelity to the end?
8. The priest, isolated, Christian traditions, condemning the droit du seigneur, yet the discussions with the Druids?
9. The head of the village, his wanting to make peace? His accepting the laws? Fighting against Chrisagon? The alliance with the Friesians, the Lord of the Friesians, losing his son, the dwarf finding him, manipulating ransom, his being killed with the arrow? The boy going back?
10. The detail of life in the feudal village? The transition between the Dark Ages and the Middle Ages?
