Rating of
2.5/4
"Arn: The Knight Templar" by Yojimbo
Yojimbo - wrote on 09/11/12
A disgraced monk who is uncannily skilled in the art of war becomes a Knight Templar defending Jerusalem from the advancing army of Saladin. This Scandinavian co-production is a historical swashbuckler very much in the vein of the likes of Braveheart, combining romance and adventure in a medieval setting. It contains the kind of lavish battle sequences you'd expect, the desert engagement with Saladin a particular highlight, but I found the action scenes a little brief especially considering the huge swathes of back story and gooey-eyed romance you have to wade through to get there. Of course, the fact that my plumbing is on the outside rather than in means I'd have preferred less kissing and more stabbing but Arn is nicely shot, well performed and written and technically is very proficient in general. Perhaps lacking the character and inspiration of the best examples of the genre but a solid and worthy effort that's worth a look for fans of chivalrous adventure. FRIHET!!!
