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Reviews
Knights of the Round Table (1953)
Historical fantasy cartoon
The setting and costumes are utterly ridiculous for the 5th century. Shields and other weaponry are so obviously out of time, they are laughable. Also, no England existed until hundreds of years later. Even in the early 50s they knew all of this, yet were giving the audience what popular culture required. Just accept this for what it is, try not to think about it too much, and enjoy it.
Zolotaya Orda (2018)
Feast for the eyes and imagination
This epic 16-part series gives a look at what happened two generations after Genghis Khan swept through what is now Russia and the lands of the Steppes. As long as you don't depend on it for historical accuracy, you won't be disappointed. Intrigue, action, romance, spirituality mingle with complex characters, sumptuous costumes, fine cinematography and acting, and a gorgeous soundtrack to make this an unforgettable period piece. A little improbably soapy at times, but extra points for very strong female characters, including Julia Stiles' doppelganger. We will watch it again.
Secret of the Cave (2006)
Not for the hardhearted
Movie viewers have become satiated, cynical, and ice cold. At least that explains the number of one-star reviews for this film which I found completely charming and emotionally engaging. I'm giving it 9/10 for the scenery, music, and story itself.
Alistair1918 (2015)
Gave this a 10. I don't give 10s.
*SPOILERS GALORE*
We just finished this excellent film and are astonished at its quality, given the very low budget. Not one character rings untrue. The script is tight, the storyline (mostly) plausible, the acting is spot-on. I particularly congratulate them for making the time-traveling protagonist so intelligent. Having quickly accepted his impossible situation, Alistair just gets on with the business of survival, dedicated to getting back to his proper time and place. He doesn't waste time on gap-mouthing at all the futuristic wonders surrounding him in ours. He knows how to hunt squirrel and, likely, how to find exact coordinates in a park that doesn't exist in 1919 or whenever it was when he gets (got?) back. (I have to wonder just where and when the wormhole deposited him. Hopefully, not back in the middle of battle wearing Timberlands and a nylon backpack.)
This movie is going to stay with me for a long, long time.
Seriously, there is a word for people who can take such meager resources and spin a treasure like Alastair1918: Alchemists.