Ironclad, a 2011 film starring Paul Giamatti, has more on screen
violence and nudity than Braveheart and presents an look at a time in
history of which I was previously unaware. The film is set in the early 13th century and King
John of England (Giamatti) is pissed because he had to sign over a small amount
of power to the barons of England by putting his... well.. pre-John
Hancock on the Magna Carta.
The Sword is Actually Bigger in the Movie
Here are some of the comments I made while watching this film for the first time:
- “Do the other side too just so they match” I said just before the drunk gets the wound on his shoulder cauterized.
- "Ye olde scrolls for sale! Ye olde scrolls for sale! Oh, is this not the renaissance faire?" I said when I caught a glace of the camp of King John's army.
- "Iron wool!" I exclaimed when the film shows the heroic Templar Knight sharpening his sword.
Maybe you had to be there.
In any event, I highly recommend Ironclad to anyone who enjoys a bloody sword slashing movie.
The only downside to the movie is that it isn't a big budget film and I think it runs about 15 minutes too long. I would have liked to have some of the "that-person-is-lying-on-the-ground-and-not-moving-so-they-must-be-dead... oh-wait-they're-still-alive, yay!" moments and other tropes to have been cut.
Here is the link to where you can watch Ironclad instantly if you're hooked up with the whole Netflix streaming thing.
Overheard Conversation
"I tape it (Say Yes to the Dress) and watch it in the morning."
Really? Can you even still buy blank VHS tapes in the age of TiVo and the DVR?
VHS tapes are so old I don't even know how to draw them anymore.
