Movie review: Black Death

Year: 2010
Director: Christopher Smith
Country: Germany
Studio: Egoli Tossell Film
Run Time: 102m

Stars:  Eddie Redmayne, Sean Bean, Carice van Houten

It is realistic.
That's about the best thing I can say for it.
The middle ages were one of the nastiest, filthiest, most ignorant and violent periods in human history.  This movie captures that very well.  There's plenty of sword play and mayhem.  But it's all done in the shaky cam style, and I'm not a fan.  Just jerking the camera around doesn't lend anything to the action beyond confusion.
Yes, yes I know that's the whole point...
I'm still not a fan.  I'd much rather actually see a well choreographed fight scene than wonder what they are trying to cover up with faddish 'style'.  Let the shaky cam die, people.  'Blair Witch' wasn't that great a film.
'Black Death' centers around a young monk who's too gutless to leave the church to be with the woman he loves and too spineless to commit to his vows.  We follow this wishy-washy, little twerp on a coming of age journey that leads to a life as a vengeful psychopath in the service of the church.
Sound like fun?
The Christians are self-righteous and spiteful, and the pagans are just as bad.
There's really no likable character in the whole film.
It was mildly entertaining, but pointless.  The cinematography was pedestrian and lack luster.  I can't even remember the score.  At no point in the movie did I hold my breath, root for any character, or wonder anything beyond how much longer it had to run.
If you've ever wondered what the Dark Ages were really like, watch this film.  It's a fairly accurate picture.  Beyond that, give it a pass.