Review of Black Death (2010) by Walter M — 11 May 2012

In the days of the plague, it was widely believed that God was punishing the people for their sins. Science being more akin to magic in the collective understanding hundreds of years ago, it certainly would make sense to someone of that era. Nowadays we are far more educated in how outbreaks function, and it's the lack of knowledge portrayed by the characters that make "Black Death" an intriguing watch.

A young Monk who has strayed somewhat from his vows asks God for a sign so that he can meet up with the woman that he loves (I'm sure you can figure how he strayed). Shortly thereafter Ulric, a knight of the church, comes along looking for a guide to the area where the monk grew up. Not one to miss a sign from God, the monk volunteers to go with Ulric and to guide him to a village that is apparently untouched by the sickness. While most people believe that the village is blessed, Ulric suspects the work of a witch.

"Black Death" is a dirty looking film, there is a gloom and lack of luster to the lighting of the lands. The people encountered are just as naive and/ or dark as the eyes we meet them through. At times it is hard to believe that there could have been such savagery towards one another when just walking down a road ( as we witness in the film) when all we really need to do is turn on the nightly news to see the same thing with fancier weapons.

The acting is well done, and the suspense is thick when we reach the climax of the film. The only thing I could really criticize on a film like this is the sudden epilogue that occurs. I wasn't expecting an epilogue, and what was shown made me wish that it had actual been fleshed out into further story rather than some additional info tacked on to the end of the story. It's a cheap out that basically says "but that's a another story for a different time.".

Other than my one complaint, I highly recommend "Black Death.".