Students of King Alfred's English:  SUGGESTED FILMS

Here are a few suggested films related to topics in the book. I have listed each of them under the chapter most closely associated with the film's subject matter .

NOTE TO PARENTS: I have noted a few that are particularly bloody or may have sexual content, but please beware that you need to read reviews and decide for yourself which ones are appropriate for your student.

At a minimum, it would be best if students watch at least one Shakespeare movie, and the other must-see film is Luther.

Chapter 1 -- When Togas and Latin Came to Britannia

Spartacus-- 1960 with Kirk Douglas, or 2004 TV miniseries

Ben Hur--with Charleton Heston; based on Lew Wallace’s book

The Robe --with Richard Burton; based on Lloyd C. Douglas’s book

The Silver Chalice --with Paul Newman--his first movie

Gladiator-- film with Mel Gibson (check the rating – it’s violent) is about a man of great integrity (though not a Christian) up against the politics of Rome. The history in this film is a good mix of facts with imagination, a well done compression of truth and historical fiction. If you want to see what the wild Germanic hordes might have looked like, this film gives an accurate depiction. Gladiator games, the coliseum, Rome in its glory – all are brought to life.
Article on the accuracy of the history in Gladiator

Chapter 2 -- We're Through with the Romans, Who's Next?

The Sword in the Stone-- Disney

Camelot -- any of the many versions out there.

King Arthur -- the 2004 movie with Clive Owen as Arthur. Some people thought it was unrealistic to portray Celtic women as warriors in this movie – they just didn’t know their history, did they? (Lots of gore here, so parents beware.)

 

Chapter 3.    A Little About Language

Ever After, with Drew Barrymore -- not precisely educational, but it goes with the whole study of the Grimm brothers. The movie treats the story as if Cinderella were actually based on facts. The Grimm brothers appear at the beginning and end of the movie. Also, Sir Thomas More's Utopia plays a part as does Renaissance artist and inventor Leonardo da Vinci.

Chapter 4 -- The Invasion of the Church and of Latin

Beowulf --The PG-13 version with Ray Winstone as Beowulf has the highest ratings on Blockbuster.com. Other versions are out there (mostly rated R), among which is a documentary on the epic poem itself and the culture that produced it: Beowulf and the Anglo Saxons.

The Thirteenth Warrior-- This movie got much better reviews than the digitally rendered Beowulf  mentioned above. It is a loose retelling of Beowulf retaining much of the story and also the flavor and mood of ancient Germanic legend.

 

Chapters 6 -- The Invasion of the Normans and Old French

Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves (with Kevin Costner)-- fantastic modern treatment of this ancient tale.

The Adventures of Robin Hood with Errol Flynn can't be beat, and, besides, everyone should know who Errol Flynn is -- he is a legend himself. 1938 -- a classic.

Histories Mysteries, The True Story of Robin Hood (available at Blockbuster.com)

 

Chapters 7 -- The Making of Middle English

Braveheart -- with Mel Gibson, about the Scottish hero William Wallace. One of my family’s all time favorites. (But be careful. It’s rated R for violence) – The events in this movie occur during the time period of Chaucer. There is a glaring historical error in this film. Now that you have read these chapters on the Norman French invasion, you should be able to catch it. See if you can. For the answer, click here.

Becket - the 1962 film with Richard Burton and Peter O'Toole. This movie tells the story of Thomas a'Becket (1118-1170), his friendship with King Henry II, and the eventual falling out and murder that occurred as a result of Becket's resistance to some of the King's policies.

 

Chapter 9 -- The Renaissance, the Reformation and the Invasion of Greek

WATCH LUTHER! If you can only watch one film or do one suggested activity, let it be this one. Stars Joseph Fiennes as Martin Luther in a wonderful and well-made film about his life as a monk, his break with the Roman Church, and the havoc wrought in Germany at the time. You may also recognize Dr. Octopus from Spiderman playing the part of Tetzel, the infamous seller of indulgences.

Chapter 11 -- Of Kings and Wives and Martyrs

A Man For All Seasons--1966 winner of 4 Academy Awards including Best Picture, stars Paul Scoffield; adapted from the play by Robert Bolt. A wonderful film for the whole family. [note: this version is far superior to the later remake with Charton Heston, so don't inadvertently get the wrong one.]
This movie is about Sir Thomas More. It is especially enlightening to see a movie honoring this man because he was the personal enemy of both Martin Luther and William Tyndale. It's a great illustration of the complexity of the events and times, seeing God working on both sides of a truly great divide and very real heroics on both sides. More, like Tyndale, lost his life while standing up for his principles. This is a great movie!

Henry VIII -- 2003, a Masterpiece Theater production -- 200 min. but well worth it. It does have some sex and violence, so beware. This is such an outstanding film that it is well worth the parental effort to fast-forward through whatever is not appropriate for your student. The whole family will enjoy it. Great acting. Incredible history.

There are so many movies about Henry VIII that I'm simply going to send you to a link where most are listed. I can't vouch for which ones are appropriate for teen viewing. The Other Boleyn Girl was wonderfully well done and is one of my favorites, but I'm sure some editing would be required so please beware.
http://www.luminarium.org/renlit/henry8films.htm

Chapter 13 -- Shakespeare.      PICK AT LEAST ONE SHAKESPEARE MOVIE TO WATCH

There's a whole slew of Shakespeare plays that have been turned into first run movies and are highly entertaining. I will list in order of my kids' favorites:

Much Ado About Nothing-- 1993 Director, Kenneth Branaugh. Two caveats: crazy bare-bottoms scene thrown in randomly at the very beginning (you can easily fast forward and not miss any story or dialog), and one scene with a man and woman in a window insinuating sexual activity that you will probably want to fast forward through. Other than that, this is one of the best movies ever! (also stars, Kate Beckinsale, Emma Thompson, Michael Keaton, Denzel Washington, Keanu Reeves)

Midsummer Night’s Dream- my teenage girls loved this one with Michelle Pfeiffer and Kevin Kline in it.

Twelfth Night—a funny “situation comedy” – directed by Trevor Nunn. Ben Kingsley is the not so foolish “fool.” Funny, pensive -- very well done.

The Taming of the Shrew – with Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor. Can’t be beat! Wonderful sets, humorous, and a classic for Taylor and Burton.

Hamlet – two versions (both are very good): One with Mel Gibson as Hamlet; the other, longer version with Kenneth Brannaugh in the title role.