Rated R
Movies and films rated "R" contain adult content. The Motion Picture Association does not recommend viewing of R-rated films by persons under the age of 17 without the presence of a parent or an adult guardian. To read more about MPA ratings, visit the Motion Picture Association website.
- The Advocate (1994)
In medieval France, young lawyer Richard Courtois leaves Paris for the simpler life in the country. However, he is soon drawn into amorous and political intrigues. At the same time, he is pushed to defend a pig, owned by the mysterious gypsy Samira. The pig has been arrested for the murder of a young boy. 102 minutes
Cast: Colin Firth, Ian Holm, Donald Pleasence, Amina Annabi, Nicol Williamson
DVD: The Advocate at Amazon.com
- Braveheart (1995)
William Wallace, a commoner, unites the 13th Century Scots in their battle to overthrow English rule. Winner of six Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director. 177 minutes
Cast: Mel Gibson, Patrick McGoohan, Sophie Marceau, Angus Macfadyen
DVD: Braveheart at Amazon.com
- Excalibur (1981)
Director John Boorman (Deliverance) masterfully handles the tale of the mythical sword Excalibur, and its passing from the wizard Merlin to the future king of England. Arthur pulls the famed sword from a stone and is destined to be crowned king. As the king embarks on a passionate love affair with Guenevere, an illegitimate son, and Merlin's designs on power, threaten Arthur's reign. The film is visually stunning and unflinching in its scenes of combat and black magic. 140 minutes.
Cast: Nigel Terry, Helen Mirren, Nicol Williamson, Liam Neeson, Patrick Stewart
DVD: Excalibur at Amazon.com
- Highlander (1986)
An immortal Scottish swordsman must confront the last of his immortal opponents, a murderously brutal barbarian who lusts for the fabled "Prize". 116 minutes
Cast: Christopher Lambert, Roxanne Hart, Clancy Brown, Sean Connery
DVD: Highlander at Amazon.com
- King Arthur (2004)
Sweeping epic retelling of the tale of King Arthur, focusing on the history and politics of the period during which Arthur more likely ruled – when the Roman empire collapsed and skirmishes over power broke out in outlying countries – as opposed to the mystical elements of the tale on which past Arthur films have focused. 138 minutes
Cast: Clive Owen, Ioan Gruffudd, Keira Knightley
DVD: King Arthur at Amazon.com
- Kingdom of Heaven (2005)
Balian, a 12th century French blacksmith is mourning the deaths of his wife and baby when his estranged nobleman father arrives and asks him to join the Crusades in Jerusalem. Mindful that conducting the Lord's work will help him atone for his sins, Balian agrees and embarks on the perilous journey. Once in Jerusalem, he finds himself as the defender of the city and its people. 144 minutes
Cast: Orlando Bloom, Liam Neeson, Jeremy Irons
DVD: Kingdom of Heaven at Amazon.com
- MacBeth (1971)
Roman Polanski's version of Shakespeare's tragedy about a Scottish lord who murders the king and ascends the throne. His wife then begins hallucinating as a result of her guilt complex and the dead king's son conspires to attack MacBeth and expose him for the murderer he is. 140 minutes
Cast: Jon Finch, Francesca Annis, Martin Shaw, Terence Bayler
DVD: MacBeth at Amazon.com
- The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc (1999)
A young girl receives a vision that drives her to rid France of its oppressors, takes up a sword and leads an army in an attempt to do so. 158 minutes
Cast: Milla Jovovich, Dustin Hoffman, Faye Dunaway, John Malkovich
DVD: The Messenger at Amazon.com
- The Name of the Rose (2001)
In 1327, an intellectually nonconformist monk investigates a series of mysterious deaths in an isolated abbey. 131 minutes
Cast: Sean Connery, Christian Slater, Helmut Qualtinger
DVD: The Name of the Rose at Amazon.com
- Snow White: A Tale of Terror (1997)
Based somewhat more authentically on the Grimm Brothers' story of a young woman who is unliked by her stepmother, the film includes the talking mirror, a poisoned apple, and some ruffian gold (not diamond) miners (and they aren't dwarfs or cute). It takes place at the time of the Crusades, and depicts the attitudes of the wealthy and the peasant classes toward one another. 101 minutes
Cast: Sigourney Weaver, Sam Neill, Joanna Roth
DVD: Snow White: A Tale of Terror at Amazon.com
- The Warlord (1965)
A knight in the service of a duke goes to a coastal village where an earlier attempt to build a defensive castle has failed. He begins to rebuild the duke's authority in the face of the barbarians at the border and is making progress until he falls in love with one of the local women. 122 minutes
Cast: Charlton Heston, Richard Boone, Rosemary Forsyth, Guy Stockwell
DVD: The Warlord at Amazon.com
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