Flesh and Blood (1985)
***Contains spoilers, but they don’t really matter***
On a recommendation from film fan, writer, and blogger, David Miller. I bought this film cheap from Amazon. One thing you can say about Dutch film-maker Paul Verhoeven is that he tackles a lot of varied subjects. From the saucy titillation of ‘Showgirls’, to the camp sci-fi of ‘Starship Troopers’, and on to the solid WW2 resistance drama, ‘Black Book’, you could never accuse him of being stuck in a style, or genre.
This epic production from thirty years ago stars Verhoeven regular Rutger Hauer, alongside a 23 year-old Jennifer Jason-Leigh. There is also the Australian stalwart Jack Thompson, and a crop of British and American character actors, including the wonderful Ronald Lacey, and gangster-film star Bruno Kirby. Cast-wise, he got the whole planet covered with this one. If you like historical sagas, castle sieges, and some of the flesh and blood mentioned in the title, then this one is for you.
The scene is somewhere in Europe, circa 1500. A local lord has employed a mercenary group to help his army get his castle and lands back. The film goes straight into the action, as Hauer and his group assault the castle, spurred on by the promise of looting and pillage for a clear twenty-four hours. They succeed in capturing the place, but find themselves betrayed by their employer, and driven out by his main army. Hiding out, Martin (Hauer) and his band manage to capture the daughter of the same lord. (Jason-Leigh) He soon seduces (well, rapes) her, and not long after that, he falls in love with her too.
Later, this disparate band arrive at another castle, which they quickly capture, to use as a hideout and a base. But they are unaware that those inside already have the plague, (The Black Death) and not long after, Agnes’ (Jason-Leigh) betrothed lover, Steven, arrives with an army to rescue her. More battles ensue, and neither side can get the upper hand, as their soldiers succumb to the plague all around. Eventually, the castle catches fire, and the mercenaries that are still alive are forced to flee, leaving Steven and Agnes reunited at last.
The story hardly matters, and knowing the outcome won’t spoil your enjoyment of this rip-roaring Renaissance romp. It’s got the lot. Tough men, hard fighting, siege towers, explosions, rape and pillage, nudity, plague deaths, and double-dealing a-plenty. Very enjoyable, if dated now, and as few films are made about this turbulent period in European history, somewhat unique in the genre. I can really only think of the superior, ‘The Last Valley’, or the simply wonderful ‘Captain Alatriste’, both of which are set at least one hundred years later. Here’s a trailer.
beetleypete
This movie sounds pretty outrageous it must be said.
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It’s a rip-roaring romp, in the old-fashioned way mate!
Best wishes, Pete.
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Rip-roaring romp, I like that.
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I’ll have to check it out. And the two other movies. Captain Alatriste is based on a Spanish novel that I haven’t had a chance to read yet (well a series of novels) so I’m pretty intrigued by that one… Thanks so much, Pete!
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It stars Viggo Mortensen as Alatriste. He speaks fluent Spanish, as he was raised in South America. It is one of my favourite historical dramas, beautifully shot, with a tangible sense of the period. I really can’t praise it highly enough.
A slightly longer review and clip in this post.
https://beetleypete.wordpress.com/2013/01/13/some-spanish-films/
Best wishes, Pete.
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It is a fabulous movie, I’ve seen it just once.
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Thanks for the comment, Charlie. Glad to hear that you enjoyed it.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Right now I’m in season 4 of Game of Thrones which sounds like an elongated version of Flesh + Blood. The other, The Last Valley, looks good to me based upon your recommendation, I’m sure I’ll rent it. 🙂
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One of the very few films set in the Thirty Years War, Cindy. It has a touch of a Hammer film about it, but the cast is just great.
Best wishes, Pete.
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It looks like a good romp of a movie, & Haur looks about 16! But that music lol, think it would do my head in 😀
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You have to ‘cast your mind back’ for this one, for sure!
Best wishes, Pete.
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Pete, I have always wanted to see “The Last Valley.” As for “Flesh + Blood,” I just find it immensely entertaining (like “The Vikings” [1958]), and appreciate the fact that it depicts an era in way that I’ve never seen before. It doesn’t go lightly on the sex and violence. But these elements fit the context perfectly. I’m sorry your DVD does not feature crisp video. Mine does.
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Not to worry about the VHS transfer, David. It was still enjoyable, and I thank you for the suggestion, as I didn’t know the film. I hope that you get to see ‘The Last Valley’ someday. Less action, but a wonderful historical feel. And witchcraft!
Try this link, before it gets taken down. The whole film, free!
Best wishes, Pete.
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And it’s in English, despite the Italian title.
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I have the book somewhere on a shelf. I’ll check out the link! Thanks!
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The title sounds vaguely familiar, but not the story-line. I go with your recommendation, Pete.
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It’s a good old-fashioned enjoyable historical film, GP.
Best wishes, Pete.
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I can remember this movie like it was yesterday, as you said it did have it all.. Thanks again for the memories… Take care, Laura
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Well done for knowing it. Laura. Until David’s recommendation, it had escaped me.
Best wishes, Pete.
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They all look so young too… grinning … I suppose because they and we were back in the eighties.. Heck, we are all still young in my book…
Laura, 🙂
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Glad to hear that you are still young, Laura. I wish I was! (But I know what you mean…x)
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