Alan Rosenus

An excellent piece of revisionist writing; exciting and amusing, with a novel take on pioneer life--the pioneers in this case, being blacks, who are assisted now and then, by the Native Americans.

I only saw the last half of the film. This is beyond words. Green is an earth color. There's very little green in this film, at least in the last half. Plenty of mud. It aspires to be a recollection of 15th century spirituality lived by illiterate workers, monks, bell casters, painters and the nobility. A phenomenal icon is shown at the very end of the film, suggesting a high plane of fulfillment that the painter of the icon did much more than suggest.

As an epic this film has scope, color, and charm. I can't judge its fidelity in regard to the age of Crusades in Jerusalem. The part of the lead character was neither written or acted very well, but as a delight for the eye, the film is undeniably ravishing.

An unusual film that keeps you guessing. I'm recommending it to friends.