Black Death (2010)

Review by Josh Felty



Starring: Sean Bean, Carice van Houten, Eddie Redmayne, John Lynch, Kimberly Nixon

I chose to review this movie because (a) it has extremely frightening themes, even though it's technically a historical horror movie, and (b) because it kicks that much major ass. I caught it on Netflix Insant Queue, a godsend from Valhalla, folks! Also, this one features one of my favorite actors, Sean Bean. He's in my new favorite show on HBO, Game of Thrones, but that's another thread altogether.
As the title suggests, "Black Death" takes place in Europe during the heigh of the bubonic plague. We first meet Osmund, a monk of an order that has been tasked with caring for the dying, absolving the walking corpses of their sins and whatnot. Monkly things. In answer to Osmund's prayers, his order is visited by a group of ragtags led by Ulric (Bean). Osmund steps into a world altogether new, as his new acquaintances have recently returned from The Crusades and fancy themselves expert witch-hunters, as Ulric is the bishop's envoy. Basically, he's a witch assassin with blood-thirsty pious men at his side. Through some expert storytelling, Ulric reveals they are bound for a remote village where the Black Death has not yet touched. Armed with the belief this village is an outpost for a necromancer, the road for Osmund's group is one wrought with many slayings in the name of God and Bean's bishop.
I really don't wanna give away much more of this film, as you need to see it, whether you are remotely religious or not. The underlying themes of killing in the name of God and the effects of such "witch-hunts" on society really hits home in more ways than one. Also, much of this is based on history, making it even more seething. There are also "supernatural" elements that will definitely appeal to horror and adventure fans alike.
The acting was exceptional, as well, aside from Bean's gripping portrayal of Ulric. John Lynch as 'Wolfstan' and Carice van Houten as the entrancing 'Langiva' (who's also slated to portray the Red Priestess Melisandre in the second season of "Game of Thrones") I really appreciated the ending as well, as our story is narrated by Wolfstan's speculation on Osmund's life after facing the necromancer. Definitely one of the more thought-provoking movie events of the year, in my opinion. Directed by British filmmaker Christopher Smith, whose credentials include "Creep" and "Severance", this one's a big winner in my eyes. Entertaining, medieval and genre-bending all the same, "Black Death" is a monumental epic that was well-shot, well-written, and acted to boot. See it...or burn!