phil allen Guy Stockwell nailed the Norman knight characterization, and should have won nominations for it. Eleventh-century knighthood was not of the 'shining armor' sort. They were extra sons, trained for war but with plenty to do between battles. Basically, they were aristocratic bikers, arrogant and exceptional, often despoiling the countryside. Draco as an 'I want it now' bully perfectly captures this mentality. His character reflects that of an actual younger brother who really screwed up things. In 1066 Tosti Godwinson convinced the King of Norway, a 7' Viking, to attack England. He did and lost to King Harold, but Harold then lost to the Normans exemplified by Draco far more than Crysagon.

Leofwine_draca THE WAR LORD is somewhat typical of the Hollywood historical adventure film in that the period it depicts looks nothing like it would have looked in real life. It's the odd haircuts and the silly armour that helps to spoil this one, although it's not a bad little film when it gets going and at least the storyline is rather atypical.The film pairs director Franklin J. Schaffner and stars Charlton Heston and Maurice Evans just before they had a big hit with PLANET OF THE APES. THE WAR LORD isn't in the same league, and for a long time in the middle of the film it's rather stodgy, bogged down by endless romance scenes between an autopilot Heston and an insipid Rosemary Forsyth. However, the film is book-ended with action sequences, and in particular the large-scale siege warfare at the climax is well worth the wait and one of the better Hollywood depictions of medieval combat.At all times, THE WAR LORD is a very obviously artificial viewing experience. Let's just say that California looks little like France, no matter how much they try to dress it up. Heston is oddly subdued and the likes of Richard Boone and James Farentino don't fit in the era at all, although Niall MacGinnis is reliably fluid. Still, I'm a sucker for a siege film, and at least the last half an hour is a lot of fun, almost making up for the problems found elsewhere.

hou-3 I am a medieval historian and for my money this is one of the best films about the period, maybe the best. The background research was far superior to that done for the much better known El Cid, and the script is intelligent and carries you along with it. This film really captures the flavour of life in the north-west coastal regions of Flanders in the mid- eleventh century. The tower in particular is thoroughly authentic as is the emphasis on hunting. Terrific stuff. As for the battle scenes, if there are better medieval ones I'd like to hear about them. The Frisians are nothing if not persistent ... Unfortunately the impressive input by design, costumes and cinematography is let down by the wooden acting of Rosemary Forsythe, which rivals that of Sophia Loren in El Cid for sheer blandness. But that's the 60s for you. If only we could take the feisty and charismatic acting of today's actresses and combine it with the realism of the best of post- war Hollywood, before post-modern tongue-in-cheek humour and cgi effects took over. This movie is far from perfect but it is eminently watchable.

thinker1691 Throughout history there have been segments of the middle ages where an audience would like to be transported into that age to experience what it must have been like. This is one movie where a viewer can almost believe they are in the Medieval period. The film is called " The War Lord " and is taken from the exploits of Crysagon del la Cruz. (Charlton Heston) Although the fictitious events of the film and his true events do not coincide, the movie does try and recreate the times. It is shortly after the feudal wars in the 9th century, that our hero arrives with his loyal body-guard and soldier-at-arms, Bors (Richard Boone), his brother Draco (Guy Stockwell) and a band of war weary soldiers. He has been given a land grant for his loyal service to the Duke. It consists of a Keep, surrounding forests, fields, woodlands and itinerant peoples. Upon arriving, he realizes the Frisian King (Henry Wilcoxon) and his Vikings are raiding his holding and exciting action follows, as he has unknowingly captured the Frisian king's son. Although his vassalage is a poor holding, it's nevertheless his. All goes well until he is invited to accept his rights as manor lord and take a young girl from her husband on her wedding night. After that things erupt into bitter conflicts between the people, the Vikings and with his own brother. Exciting fare for those who care to relive the middle ages. A fine drama and a Classic in its own right. ****