Lionheart (1987)

Purely Joyful Movie!

It's hard to see any effort in the film. There's no comedy to speak of, no real drama and, worst of all.

I really wanted to like this movie. I feel terribly cynical trashing it, and that's why I'm giving it a middling 5. Actually, I'm giving it a 5 because there were some superb performances.

An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

It's the end of the 12th century. The young pious Robert Narra (Eric Stoltz) sets out to join The Third Crusade with King Richard the Lionheart. On route, he runs away from a battle. He encounters two escaped performers/thieves Michael (Dexter Fletcher) and his sister Mathilda (Deborah Moore). Michael would like to go to Paris. They seek shelter at a monastery where they're told about The Black Prince (Gabriel Byrne) who captures and sells children to the Muslims. The Black Prince is a disillusioned former crusader. In Paris, they are captured by the orphans of the Underground City. The Black Prince kills the mayor of the Underground City and plans to capture the army of orphans as they go off to join the crusade.The Children's Crusade is not a happy story. The problem is that the goal is not well conceived. In order for this to work for a modern audience, they need to find a nicer place for them to strive for. I don't know why anybody would root for the kids to get to the crusade. Also this doesn't feel real enough to be gritty or fanciful enough to be magical. It operates in a weird middle ground where neither is satisfied. Jerry Goldsmith brings an epic score to this not-so epic movie.

Muffle the Background music? You're kidding right? The music to this film is enough reason to try to hunt down the movie or soundtrack. This was the last film scored by Jerry Goldsmith for director Franklin J. Scaffner. They lowered the music in and out which was wrong because the film needs the music. It's not as bad as everyone says it is. Sure it drags but it's nice to see an original idea about the Crusades where Richard I is not the center of the movie. It has flaws but it's still entertaining. It's overdue for DVD since most movies from the 80s are released with no special features anyway (widescreen please). I'd rather watch this than the recent garbage like Kingdom of Heaven.

This is probably the best fantasy movie set in a historical period that has been made. The story does not insult the audience by assuming they are ignorant, and requires that people actually pay attention.Yes, the accents aren't entirely accurate. Yes, some things are not explained. Tough. The arms, armor, and tactics are accurate and properly executed. The duel between Robert and Matilda is both amusing and impressive. No Wirefu, no anachronistic eastern martial arts, nothing in the movie that doesn't belong.Music is also excellent, and unlike LadyHawk, appropriate to the feel of the movie.The only reason I can figure for this movie not being a bigger success is that people confused it with the Jean Clod Van-Dummie movie of the same name.

This movie seemed to be a little slow at times, and im just like "come on, whats happening?" but, the acting (especially by stoltz and byrne), the scenery, the action, and the romance was built for a great movie. i did enjoy watching this movie, though, it was decent. 7.3 out of 10.