Review of Black Death (2011) by Dawdlingpoet — 28 Nov 2021

This is understandably a dark and bleak watch. The plot pace is a little slow to build and there's some quite jerky/wobbly camerawork used, adding to the sense of unease, apprehension and panic, although I know some people can't stand jerky camerwork, so I thought I'd mention it. It felt a little forced for my taste, personally.

For a film categorised on some sites as a horror, its not fast paced enough, or gory enough, for me to regard it as such - IMDB classify it as an action, adventure and drama film, which seems more appropriate but given its title and cover image, I'd imagine most people would assume it to be a horror film. There is certainly bloody violence present, don't get me wrong but it felt more, to me, like perhaps a mysterious part thriller, part period drama film. It didn't appear to have a big budget, having the feel of a TV film I'd say but I thought it was generally reasonably watchable, that is if your ok with the disorientating aspect of the often shaky camerawork during the faster paced scenes (there are some) and the not entirely clear plot direction.

I thought it was interesting to see Eddie Redmayne play the role of one of the main characters - Osmund, an adolescent monk hoping to find the truth behind tales of people cured from the bubonic plague. He did pretty well playing someone still somewhat growing up, trying to gauge what might be out there, what truth(s) there may be and so on but the camerawork did put me off and I wish the plot direction was a little more solid (it seemed a little directionless at times). Its not a really awful watch per se but its by no means great either - an ok watch overall, at the best. I also wouldn't say its not at all spooky or sinister in tone but it seemed a little too bland mid way through - I wasn't convinced we were going to reach any real conclusions as such.

Would I recommend it? if your a big fan of Eddie Redmayne and would like to see him play such a role, then it may be worth watching for that reason but otherwise I wouldn't go out of your way to see it, no.