Alexander Newski

**Ser Clegane** · 02-16-2003, 20:29

I just saw the Russian movie Alexander Newski (1938 by Sergei Eisenstein) on TV.

It is about Teutonic Knights inading Russia and Nowgorod in 1243.

Thought it was quite interesting to see a movie in the M:TW setting.

The plot leaves a bit to be desired though. It is quite a propaganda movie from that time, which also gives it an interesting note as it was made in 1938, a couple of years before Russia was actually invaded by Germany (if you watch it without knowing when it was made it certainly looks like a movie made after the war between Germany and Russia started). It seems that is has not been shown in Russia after the Hitler/Stalin pact in 1939 but actually has been used as propaganda material after 1941.

... not really a topic for a thread but worth to be mentioned I thought

**Lechev** · 02-16-2003, 20:47

Never saw the movie but i get to see afew snapshot or movie clips from a documentry Why we fight produced by the US signal corps during the WW2 period.

The movie is quite grand in the battle scene showing the Russian fighting a melee with the Teutonic knights and the Russian prince leading the calvary charge.

**Ser Clegane** · 02-16-2003, 20:54

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (Lechev @ Feb. 16 2003,13:47)]The movie is quite grand in the battle scene showing the Russian fighting a melee with the Teutonic knights and the Russian prince leading the calvary charge.

Indeed ... for today's standards the battle scenes might look a bit dated but for 1938 I think it was state of the art (as well as the costumes).

BTW during some scenes it seemed to me that some parts of the Conan movie were inspired by this film (as strange as it might seem). The similarity of the Teutonic Knights' helmets with the ones at the beginning of Conan was really astonishing. Also some parts of the musical score sounded familiar.

**Lechev** · 02-16-2003, 21:24

If you had notice, the head lowering of the Teutonic knights in one of the scene is strikingly similar to the picture of the Knight printed on our CD for MTW. Hav u notice?

**Ser Clegane** · 02-16-2003, 21:39

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (Lechev @ Feb. 16 2003,14:24)]If you had notice, the head lowering of the Teutonic knights in one of the scene is strikingly similar to the picture of the Knight printed on our CD for MTW. Hav u notice?

Hmm ... now that you mention it (... staring at the CD ...)

It seems this movie really influenced a couple of people

**Lechev** · 02-17-2003, 03:20

Talking about WW2, taking away the Nazis government apart from the topic. I find that the German army uniform is really cool and IMO it was really a fashion ahead of its time.

**Louis de la Ferte Ste Colombe** · 02-17-2003, 03:31

A good and great movie...

makes me thing... WE NEED A MAP WITH A LAKE.

How come there is none?

Next step is; ice on the lake in winter

I saw the movie 3/4 years ago and some images are still very present... Teutonic Knights burning kids... Charge on the ice...

Strongly recommanded.

In 1938 relation between USSR and germany were tense, then grew kind of warm in 1939.

Alexandre Nevsky is definitly an impressive masterpiece. Propaganda, maybe, but also much more than that.

Louis,

**Lechev** · 02-17-2003, 03:34

Christ, both of you are tempting me....now i feel the urge to go to the rental shop to get this movie...urghhh

**Gregoshi** · 02-17-2003, 05:30

Louis, there is a map with a small lake on it. Don't ask me which map though.

**ErikJansen** · 02-17-2003, 06:10

Its a desert map, dunno which.

I should know, since I play deserts all the time.

**Alrowan** · 02-17-2003, 10:22

i love that movie.. i have it on vid somewhere... its really one of the best medieval movies ever

**econ21** · 02-17-2003, 13:31

I sometimes find lakes in battles in Sweden (defending vs Danes); I also recall one in a desert.

**Tartychops** · 02-17-2003, 15:40

Gahhh.. just read a few reviews here and there and now I'm tempted to order it (and Battleship Potemkin.. I'm such a sucker

) from Play.com

Curse my weakness for buying DVDs

**Jxrc** · 02-17-2003, 16:19

For the anecdote, did you notice that some aspects of the battle in Eisenstein's film were copied by F. Coppola in his Dracula (the opening scene, all in red, when vlad the Impalor is fighting against the Turks).

BTW, no offense to Coppola's fine - he aknowledges that he was inspired by Eisenstein's work.

**Ser Clegane** · 02-17-2003, 20:58

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (Louis de la Ferte Ste Colombe @ Feb. 16 2003,20:31)]I saw the movie 3/4 years ago and some images are still very present... Teutonic Knights burning kids... Charge on the ice...

Strongly recommanded.

In 1938 relation between USSR and germany were tense, then grew kind of warm in 1939.

Alexandre Nevsky is definitly an impressive masterpiece. Propaganda, maybe, but also much more than that.

Actually pretty scary that history proved Eisenstein's movie to be so clairvoyant considering the brutality of the German attack that followed shortly after

BTW, is anybody aware of other classic movies regarding medieval history that are worthwhile to look out for? I am not talking about the real blockbuster's here but hidden gems like Alexander Newski

**Demon of Light** · 02-17-2003, 22:40

Is Alexander Nevsky one of the historical figures in the game?

**Louis de la Ferte Ste Colombe** · 02-18-2003, 03:31

I think I remember seeing an oasis on a desert map... But not sure about an actual lake. If somebody can help... else I will have a very long night...

Other movies of choice:

The Vikings (1958) with K. Douglas. Forget about the fight and so on, and vikings don't look like vikings... Interesting story. Like it, but not sure why. For sure not for the action part of it.

Excalibur? European version Ah shit you said no blockbuster...

Le retour de Martin guerre. For the French speaking... Why do I recommand that?

I imagine that everybody already saw Shichinin no samurai (seven samurai) and Ran.

You have not asked about war movies, but I would recommand Paths of Glory (with K. Douglas 1957) and Cross of Iron (Sam Peckinpah 1977).

How frustrating... Must have forgotten like tons of them...

Louis,

**Gregoshi** · 02-18-2003, 05:15

Louis, I think the map with the lake is flatinland22.

**Louis de la Ferte Ste Colombe** · 02-18-2003, 06:24

Thanks Gregoshi

And now some winter battle with russian vs HRE...

A strange map for 3v3

Louis

**ICantSpellDawg** · 02-18-2003, 07:59

awesome movie

i wish our propoganda movies were all medieval

**Ser Clegane** · 02-18-2003, 20:56

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (Louis de la Ferte Ste Colombe @ Feb. 17 2003,20:31)]The Vikings (1958) with K. Douglas. Forget about the fight and so on, and vikings don't look like vikings... Interesting story. Like it, but not sure why. For sure not for the action part of it.

Excalibur? European version Ah shit you said no blockbuster...

Le retour de Martin guerre. For the French speaking... Why do I recommand that?

I imagine that everybody already saw Shichinin no samurai (seven samurai) and Ran.

Yeah ... great bunch of movies you are listing (I will have to check for the German title Le retour de Martin guerre - the French title does not ring a bell).

I am also quite fond of El Cid with Charlton Heston

**Portuguese Rebel** · 02-23-2003, 00:53

Saw that russian movie too. Have you noticed that some of the helmets on the german peasants resemble the WWII german helmets?
It's a fun movie to watch but that end thing with mercy to the peasants and punishment to the nobles it's a dead give away as a propaganda movie.
Does anyone know if this really happen so?
And yes, almost forgot, it was the people that really won the battle...

**Ser Clegane** · 02-23-2003, 11:01

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (Portuguese Rebel @ Feb. 22 2003,17:53)]Saw that russian movie too. Have you noticed that some of the helmets on the german peasants resemble the WWII german helmets?

Indeed ... does any body know if they used the historical correct design here? Or did they make them look like Wehrmacht helmets on purpose?

I am not quite sure here, as they looked quite similar to some other medieval helmets (and after all the English WWII helmets looked pretty much the same as their medieval counterparts)

**Lechev** · 02-23-2003, 15:18

Apart from those classic medieval movies some of those movies like Ben Hur is also worth to take a look. So far anyone have seen this movie? I specially like the chariot racing part.

**Alrowan** · 02-23-2003, 16:30

300 spartans... that is one funny movie

**Casca** · 03-06-2003, 01:08

Its interesting to note that when the Germans invaded the Soviet Union, the Russian government created The Order of Alexander Nevski. I found a picture of it in a catalog I found once (its listed at $695, and the web site on the magazine is www.sovietski.com) and the description went as follows:
This highly coveted military order, established in 1942 and issued from 1942-1945, honors Alexander Nevski, one of Russias greatest military heroes. (He repelled the Teutonic Knights from the motherland in the famous Battle on Ice in 1242) Nevsky, wearing a healmet and chain mail armour, is the centerpiece. The order was awarded to Red Army commanders for courage, bravery and command in combat.

**Louis de la Ferte Ste Colombe** · 03-19-2003, 06:00

I have just seen Andrei Roublev from Tarkowsky... Recommanded. Graphically impressive and you see some tartars fighting with Russians

Louis,

**Doug-Thompson** · 05-13-2003, 16:34

Great Medieval movie: Henry V with Sir Lawrence Olivier and the later one with Kenneth Braugh.

If you've seen Alexander Nevski, be sure and see the Olivier version of Henry V. Olivier virtually copied the climactic fight between Nevski and the grand king of the Tetonic order.

Two superb movies in Medieval settings, although they do not include battle scenes, are A Lion in Winter and Becket. Both have Peter O'Toole portraying Henry II.

The best medieval battle scenes ever staged are supposedly in a movie I've never seen. It's an Orsen Wells film called Chimes at Midnight.

There's an excellent Ingrid Bergman film called The Virgin Spring where a knight prepares for battle. He 's going to kill the gand of three thugs who raped and killed his daughter. He gets fitted out, although it's only leather armor and a dagger.

**Doug-Thompson** · 05-13-2003, 16:57

Duh I can't believe I forgot Ivan the Terrible, Part I, also by Einstenstein. Better than Alexander Nevski, in my opinion.

Another great Russian movie set in Medieval times is Andrei Rublev. It's a movie about the toll brutality and repression take on people -- and was filmed in the Soviet Era. Beautiful, magnificent but quite depressing before it gets any lighter; Everyone in this movie deserved a medal for bravery.

**Louis de la Ferte Ste Colombe** · 05-13-2003, 18:47

Andrei Rublev or Roublev, depending on where you come from, is, I think, more about the spiritual change in the soul of Rublev than repression on the people.

Rublev, Russian monk and painter, faces the brutality of the world (with some pretty barbaric stuff happening), and in the process faces the change in his faith (conversation with the greek, reaction after the 'blinding' og the builder, vow of silence after the Tatart attack...). Somehow Voltairian.
I am not sure that the fact it was filmed in the soviet era had a real impact on it.

There are some pictures in this movie I will never forget.

Oh, that's so beautiful

Other movies from Tarkowsky are also recommanded... But they are OT, IIRC, not related to medieval era... And also pretty tough to see if you are not in a major city...

Anybody else saw any of those?

Louis,

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