LIONHEART (LIONHEART: THE CHILDREN'S CRUSADE)

US, 1987, 104 minutes, Colour.
Eric Stoltz, Gabriel Byrne, Nicola Cowper, Dexter Fletcher, Nicholas Clay, Sammi Davis, Paul Rhys.
Directed by Franklin J. Schaffner.

Lionheart is set at the end of the 12th century in France. It focuses on a young French nobleman, the atmosphere of chivalry and crusades. Disillusioned by his uncle's death in battle, Robert the young hero leaves and gathers together a group of children, especially Paris orphans, who are trying to escape the Black Prince who will sell them into slavery to the Saracens. Meeting Richard the Li6nheart and going on the Crusades is the hope.

Filmed in Hungary and Portugal, the film looks very handsome. It is directed by Franklin J. Schaffner who won an Oscar for Patton but who made a mediaeval saga in the mid-'60s, The War Lord. Eric Stoltz (Mask, Some Kind of Wonderful) is probably too contemporary American to be persuasive in the lead. However, Nicola Cowper and Dexter Fletcher, English stars, are much more convincing. Gabriel Byrne (Defence of the Realm, Gothic, Christopher Columbus) is sinister as the Black Prince.

While the ingredients make for stirring pageantry, the film does not quite have the spark that it might have. It is enjoyable entertainment but still mild.

1. A presentation of a 12th century pageant, history? The message about war, children, slavery?

2. The re-creation of the 12th century atmosphere? Hungary and Portugal locations? Period, decor? The stirring mediaeval score?

3. Audience presuppositions about history, chivalry, the Crusades, was and peace?

4. The atmosphere of war, holy war and the Crusades? The clash between Christians and Muslims? The upheaval of the Crusades in Europe? The children and their involvement in the war and its repercussions? The confrontation between good and evil?

5. Robert and the initial vigil, his becoming a knight, loyalty to his father, his place within the family - the banquet, the love of his mother, his uncle Charles and his loyalty? The prospect of the Crusades? Robert in battle and the fight? Charles' death and his disgust? His leaving?

6. The impact of the battle? Robert's departure, his new quest, meeting Michael and his sister? Becoming friends, travelling the roads? Going to the monastery, overhearing the Black Prince and his defiance of Christ, piercing the statue of Christ on the cross, the killing of the abbot? Meeting Hugo and taking the page with them? Going to Paris and the plan to join Richard the Lionheart?

7. Michael and his sister, the carnival, the throwing of the knives, the thieving, running? The sister and her power of control over the wolves and animals? Being found by Robert? Sharing his experience?

8. Paris and their being robbed, the underground, the discovery of the children, their leader and his illness, the challenge and the wager, their lives being spared, the feast, the leader and his hopes, Robert and his mission with the children? The irony of the leader of the orphans being the brother of the Black Prince? His memory of the Crusades, his brother turning against him, their confrontation and the Black Prince killing his-brother?

9. The Black Prince as villain: audiences first impressions, with the abbot and his death, the defiance of Christ? The story of the Crusade and his being corrupted? Dressing in black? Symbol of evil? The Saracens and their gifts and his arrogance with them? His plan to get children for slavery? Finding Robert's spur and wanting vengeance? The pursuit of the children, killing his brother, the massacre of the village, the ambush, and the children defeating his warriors? His tricking Matilda and the others with the flag on the castle? The final confrontation with Robert? The fight between good and evil to the death?

10. The importance of the journey and the quest, the blind boy and his helper, seeing the journey as going to Paradise? Robert knighting Michael and giving appointments to the others? Yet their equality and classlessness? The visit to the joust and the atmosphere of the tournament, the irony of Matilda being the winner? Her defiance of her mother and father? The clash with Robert and her being defeated? Joining the group? The carnival and the robbery? The village with the plague? Surviving in the forest? Their fighting and defeating the Black Prince's soldiers? Their ingenuity - and the tricks of the carnival? Their being captured by the Black Prince? Being freed?

11. Michael's sister and her intensity, love for Robert, her fears, sadness? Jealousy of Matilda? The reconciliation? Her final happiness with Robert? Matilda and Michael, supporting characters, their place in the quest? Love for each other? The other characters in the group and their personalities, contribution to the journey?

12. Themes of chivalry and battles, Richard I and his role in the Crusades, family reconciliations, adventure? The perennial themes of good and evil, journeys and quests and chivalry?