MEDIAEVAL/ JAN ZIZKA

Czech Republic, 2022, 126 minutes, Colour.

Ben Foster, Sophie Lowe, Michael Caine, Til Schweiger, Roland Moeller, Matthew Goode, William Moseley, Karel Roden.

Directed by Petr Jaki.

This is a mediaeval epic (with some memories of Braveheart). The central character is Jan Zizka, a warrior from the end of the 14^th century into the 15^th century. He is not a well-known character from history – except in central Europe, especially in the Czech Republic, a giant equestrian statue (one of the largest in the world) erected to him in Prague.

This is a Czech production, one of the most expensive, written and directed (in collaboration for the screenplay with his father) by Olympic athlete in judo turned filmmaker, Petr Jaki. The film was successful in the Czech Republic, keeping the name of the hero as the title. However, for international release (through Netflix) there was a more audience-friendly and inviting title, Mediaeval.

Perhaps it was for successful international release, but the film has an international cast un the leads. And, it is surprising to find Ben Foster as Jan Zizka (with touches an American accent which contrast with the British accents of the other main cast). There are some veterans, especially Michael Caine (still robust at the age of 85, if a little gaunt), German Til Schweiger, British Matthew Goode.

While there is some explanation at the opening of the film about the historical situation in Bohemia and the neighbouring kingdoms, the role of the church and the papacy crowning the king, the role of the various armies and leaders, the rest of the film is not always easy to follow – as regards who is who and where loyalties lie.

The film is set in 1402, a decade before the strong emergence of Jan Zizka and his alliance with the rebel, Jan Hus, Hus’s excommunication and the uprisings in central Europe.

The main focus, apart from highlighting Jan’s physical strength, his power in hand-to-hand combat, some scenes of tactical genius in use of weapons and fog to confuse the enemy, is on the rivalry between two kings and the device of kidnapping the fiancee of one of the nobles to force him to collaborate in promoting one of the candidates and getting him to Rome to be crowned by the Pope. The adviser and promoter of this scheme is the noble played by Michael Caine.

Those who enjoy excursions into mediaeval European history, there is much to commend. But, with its focus on the warrior and battles, vividly staged, is a film for those who enjoy portrayals of war in past centuries.

1. Audience knowledge of Jan Zizka? In the Czech Republic? In Europe? Beyond Europe? A hero in the Czech Republic?
2. Audience knowledge of this period of history, the first half of the 15^th century? Central Europe, the kingdoms, rivalries, the intervention of the church, Coronation by the Pope? Intrigues and Machinations?
3. Filming in central Europe, mountains, forests, streams, castles? Atmosphere? The musical score?
4. Political intrigues? Betrayals? Armies, battles? The choreography of the battles, hand-to-hand combat?
5. The initial explanation of the times? This film confined to the early years of Jan Zizka? His later career, the influence of Jan Zizka, patriotism, national uprisings, heresy and the church, ex-communication? The subsequent career of Jan Zizka – never defeated? The equestrian statue in Prague?
6. The political background, the commentary by Lord Boresh, his intrigues, Wenceslas, Sigismond, Rosenberg? The courts, castles and mansions? Katherine and her role, the decision to put pressure on Rosenberg, her being kidnapped?
7. Jan, seen in battle, his character, taciturn, seen in combat, hand-to-hand and his strength, weapons, is strategies in the battle, his range of deceptions, conquests?
8. Katherine, with Rosenberg, in the court? Her father? Taken into the forest, travelling with the group, interactions with Jan, his injury, healing his eye? The bond? His fighting for her? The travels through the forest, the pursuits, her being taken? The final battles, her standing on the wall, falling into the water, Jan falling, rescuing her, her death? The political repercussions with Lord Boresh, Rosenberg, Sigismond?
9. Jan, his family, his allies, friends, fighting together, the warriors, arches, strategies?
10. The leader of the pursuit, his men, pursuit of Jan, the fights, taking Katherine? The building up to the confrontations?
11. Subsequent history, Wenceslas, his death, Sigismond, To Any, uprisings against him?
12. A saga of national heroics? For the audience in the Czech Republic?