The War Lord (1965)

Dir: Franklin J. Schaffner

Charlton Heston as an 11th century Norman Knight ?!?!? Richard Boone as his right hand man ?!?

Duke William tasks knight Chrysagon (Heston) with rebuilding a keep on the Norman coast and to protect the surrounding village from Frisian raiders. Chrysagon brings with him his man Bors (Richard Boone THE LAST DINOSAUR), his brother Draco (Guy Stockwell IT'S ALIVE), a midget (Sammy Ross) and his troops. While there is a christian priest (Maurice Evans PLANET OF THE APES) attached to the village, the people still cling to the old gods which Chrysagon and his men see as an abomination. The villagers, wary of their new overlord, see his strength as an improvement over the previous warden.

The peasants are revolting!

It doesn't take long for Chrysagon to rile up the peasants. Setting eyes on the young beauty Bronwyn (Rosemary Forsyth GHOSTS OF MARS), his lust for her consumes him. She is betrothed to villager Marc (James Farentino DEAD AND BURIED) and Chrysagun does grant them permission to marry but on the wedding night Chrysagun claims the bride for his own. Bronwyn falls for Chrysagon and does not want to leave his side. The villagers, incensed that one of their own has been taken and their traditional ways trod on, join with the Frisians to lay siege to the keep.

Chrysagon and Bronwyn meet

I don't buy into Charlton Heston as a Norman but he is fine playing a character torn and conflicted by what at first is lust then love. The struggle between doing what is best or expected for a man in his position and the longing of his heart is writ upon his face. He also brings a physicality to the role; it's believable that he can wield a sword with the best of them. Heston sometimes overacts but I couldn't tell here because Stockwell seems to think he's performing Shakespeare to the cheap seats. His take on Draco's sibling rivalry comes out full force. He even laughs maniacally a few times.

At its core, THE WAR LORD is a love story and the consequences of that love when it breaks down societal boundaries (the film is based on the play THE LOVERS by Leslie Stevens). And granted, that plot is interesting and handled in an adult manner. But the child in me is drawn to the action scenes. Well handled by director Franklin J. Schaffner (PLANET OF THE APES) they are frequent enough for that side of me and present plenty of clashing swords, leaping into the fray and Germanic madmen with siege engines.

THE WAR LORD is great entertainment in the old Hollywood vein with both action and drama to please both the child and adult in me.

Look for Michael Conrad (HILL STREET BLUES) in a bit part.

*** out of ****