After Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, I felt the need to cleanse the palette. I wanted to visit other cinematic fantasy worlds that truly delivers the mediaeval aesthetic. To find a film that’s true to the feel is tough, and to nail a top ten is even harder! I hit streaming services and my library to see what’s there, and I was being tough on myself since any element that’s off meant taking it out of this list.
Movies based on mythology are a given. And I’ve removed literary works like The Hobbit/Lord of the Rings because that would be cheating. What I offer here is listed in alphabetical order and the links go to Amazon USA for those wanting to stream it or to buy. Final movie trailers are also included to separate each entry.
300 (2006)
Zack Snyder’s colourful and gritty story about a bunch of Spartans protecting a pass is a movie to truly marvel at. When all of Greece gets threatened, what else can an elite warrior class do? Here, we learn about what it takes to defend a nation. As for the sacrifices, it’s the stuff of legends. Although the sequel doesn’t fare as well as the original, this pairing is a must for fans of this filmmaker.
Clash of the Titans (1981)
Let’s be honest here. The remake from a decade ago was terrible. It didn’t capture the magic or pay respect to the Greek myth of Perseus. With this classic take, the adventure is very much modelled after the Hero’s Journey. Not only does this young hero have to prove his worth but also must find a place in history.
Die Nibelungen (1924)
Full Film is Presented Below (Public Domain)
Genre films owe an enormous debt to early cinema and pioneers like Georges Méliès wanted to bring the beauty of unbridled fancy to celluloid. But if anything, it’s Fritz Lang’s two-part silent film, which proves even back then, people love their fantasy. Also, there hasn’t been any modern take of ‘Nibelungenlied’ that can hold a candle to this first take.
Dragonslayer (1981)
For its time, this ultimate imagining of a traditional fantasy tale was defined by one film. Here, we’re presented with a usual setting. A town is threatened by a dragon, and Galen, a young man, has to save it. But he needs the help of Ulrich, a dead wizard whom he resurrects, to know when to slay the beast!
This movie won many awards for its special effects work and holds up reasonably well even today. It ultimately feels much more realistic since it made use of a lot of practical shots than digital, making every moment just feel more real.
The Golden Voyage of Sinbad (1973)
Ray Harryhausen is a Dungeon Master for the simple reason he brought many fantasy creatures to life. This maestro of stop-motion animated those wonders in many cinematic fantasy worlds turned to film. Although the many movies he’s done work for are dated by today’s standards, there’s no denying his art-form is still an influence. This fact is especially true for the next entry.
Jason and the Argonauts (1963)
This classic film brings the story in Argonautica to life and its famous fight with animated skeletons still holds up. Its influence would later resonate with Sam Raimi when he was making his Evil Dead movies, and to a lesser degree even LEGO NInjago!
Much of this sailor’s adventure is appealing. We get to see him search for the Golden Fleece, and face its protector. Not many fans will realise many of the creature designs here inspired the artists who illustrated D&D’s Monster Manual!
Ladyhawke (1985)
Variety’s past review still best describes why this movie is beloved and it’s hard to top what was written before. It’s a “very likeable, very well-made fairy tale… worthwhile for its extremely authentic look alone.”
Although we get a rock and roll soundtrack, the casting of Matthew Broderick, his performance here may have paved the way for his true breakout–Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.
Princess Mononoke (1997)
The work put into this animated magnum opus reveals a Japanese world where gods, demons, and humanity roam the land. This tale takes place in the late Muromachi period (1336-1573) and why this film is glorious is because it is about man vs nature and also industry. Here, an inexperienced prince Ashitaka gets infected, and he must find a cure before it consumes him. The people he meets are complex.
And regarding who this strange princess is, what she teaches the young man is just as special.
The Green Knight (2021)
If I had to choose between which film can best represent the time of King Arthur, this cinematic masterpiece is the better choice. John Boorman’s Excalibur has one huge historical inaccuracy which put it at the bottom of any list. Plate mail armour didn’t come into prominence until the late Middle Ages!
Thankfully, this latest is period accurate. Fans are presented with a phantasmagorical tale. Here, we’re dealing with dreams and nightmares. To lose one’s head regarding piety isn’t the only issue here. Instead, it’s about honouring agreements, and knowing even Camelot must someday fall.
The Sword and the Sorcerer (1982)
The cult following this film speaks for why fans of mediaeval fantasy adore it. It embraces the staples of the genre. Here, King Titus Cromwell is looking for a way to defeat his rival, King Richard. He wants the help of a sorcerer once thought dead.
Its sequel, Tales of an Ancient Empire, made 28 years after has a wonderful concept, but sadly, falls short. Revisiting this world two decades later doesn’t work. When it didn’t have the budget to match the production efforts of the first, the producers shouldn’t have tried. It’s more like a fan film more than anything else.
Top Three Cinematic Fantasy Worlds on Television to Check Out
Let’s face it, no list can truly be complete unless the broadcast front is also considered. These long running serials are worth following for the avid fantasy enthusiast.
- Game of Thrones (2011-2019)
- Merlin (2008-2012)
- Record of Lodoss Wars, Chronicles of the Heroic Knight, Welcome to, and Is that Delicious? (1988-2014)
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