THE WAR LORD (1965)

Cast

Plot

Franklin J. Schaffnerâ's ambitious costume drama set in 11th-century, stars Charlton Heston as Chrysagon de la Cruex, a Norman knight assigned to a remote garrison on the fringe of Europe. Weary of war and increasingly lonely, the Christian knight becomes enthralled with Bronwyn, a pagan beauty who seems remote from the barbarism of his own creed. The opening scenes, with their hauntingly atmospheric photography lend a sense of foreboding (think the original Wicker Man) to proceedings, as Chrysagon learns that Bronwyn is betrothed to a young man from her village. The Knight, who is accustomed to taking things by brute force, now faces a dilemma, should he rule wisely by exercising restraint or wield the iron fist of oppression and seize what he desires? A highly unusual, intelligent and entertaining film from the director that gave us Patton and Planet of the Apes.