Search - Druids on DVD

Lenka S. from DANVILLE, PA
Reviewed on 1/3/2013...

It is a crime against modern cinema that this movie did not get theatrical distribution in the United States. Even so, internationally it has been to theatres across the globe and brought in a very successful bank, I hope to see more of Jacques Dorfmann in english in the future, though I understand in this film each scene was filmed twice, once in english and once in french.
DRUIDS is the story of Vercingetorix, the Gaul who united the tribes to give Big Julie Caeser the most trouble the Romans ever had.
Historically the only account we have from the Gaul Wars are from Julius Caesar himself, and even he admits Vercingetorix was an amazing leader. As for accuracy, this movie does stay away from the legend of Vercingetorix's beheading, which is fine with me, and it seems the essentials are all there. It seems other reviewers can't understand the movie, since some complaints are that the war is condensed, but it's obvious to me that time passes by the montage scenes and how Vercingetorix's hair gets longer and such, but, I guess that's too complex for some.
The story of Vercingetorix himself in the movie is of course mostly guessing and made up. His relations with the Druids I think may have some merit, though I'm not sure. Max Von Sydow plays the mysterious Arch-Druid, who is the Merlin to Vercingetorix's Arthur.
The movie is a marvel to look at, terrific scenery and great sets, some marvelous shots of the Roman Army and one great scene of Vercingetorix returning to the Druids to find only his skilled mentor left are the peaks.
The music is also great, and during the final quarter of the movie plays almost constantly as the end unfolds.
Max Von Sydow steals the scenes when he comes in throughout the movie, Klaus Maria Brandauer is subtle and harsh as Julius Caeser, Ines Sastre does fine for her part, and Christopher Lambert conquers the performance of his life as Vercingetorix, from his other two epics(Greystoke: Legend of Tarzan and The Sicilian) this shines far and beyond as his best performance, from beginning to end.

Constance B. from LOS GATOS, CA
Reviewed on 6/6/2012...

This is a truly bad movie. There is some nudity and there is an effort for historical accuracy. My son was able to relate the whole story as we watched from his Latin class translations. So there was a little merit in that. I would be very happy to pass this on to anyone who wants to look at a little bit of Celtic beefcake, a few breasts bared to distract Roman soldiers, and a lot of bad script and acting. A thousand year old story....told badly!

1 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.

David S. from MIRAMAR BEACH, FL
Reviewed on 3/11/2010...

Was one of the worst movies I have ever watched in my entire life.
Even with the nudity I could only handle about 20 minutes of the mindless drivel..............shame on Christopher Lambert for stooping so very low.
I used to admire the man.
Do not waste even 5 minutes on this..........I actually threw it away. So it will not be reposted.

1 of 2 member(s) found this review helpful.