Sword of Vengeance relies in large part on impressive visual elements to carry the film. That is not, however, necessarily a bad thing.
The director utilizes chiaroscuro, a technique that utilizes strong contrasts between light and dark throughout Sword of Vengeance. The result is a film imbued with a dark, menacing and rather stark feel. This aptly reflects post 1066 Britain. A world of drastic change and no small measure of oppression from the nations new rulers, the Normans.
Accompanying the strong visuals is a well synced, if at times annoying, electronic sound track.It suits the film but its intentionally jarring qualities are at times over stated.
What is by contrast, not well emphasized is the story line. The story is kept vague, I suspect quite intentionally, to reflect a lone stranger, action flick, reminiscent of the lone cowboy genre that Clint Eastwood is famous for. The main character is mysterious, brooding type who remains mostly, silent, throughout the film.
Indeed, there is not a lot of dialogue from any of the cast which actually works in this films favour. Its action driven and you get to know the characters, as the old saying goes, by their actions not their words. The fight scenes that are found throughout this title, are well choreographed with a feral, bloody quality. Certainly, this is not a film for the squeamish.
In summary Sword of Vengeance is a well rounded action film. Visuals aside its arguably very forgettable but at the same time its manages something that is quite difficult. A film that heavily exploits visual elements in place of dialogue and still succeeds in engaging the viewer. Seven out of ten from me.
The director utilizes chiaroscuro, a technique that utilizes strong contrasts between light and dark throughout Sword of Vengeance. The result is a film imbued with a dark, menacing and rather stark feel. This aptly reflects post 1066 Britain. A world of drastic change and no small measure of oppression from the nations new rulers, the Normans.
Accompanying the strong visuals is a well synced, if at times annoying, electronic sound track.It suits the film but its intentionally jarring qualities are at times over stated.
What is by contrast, not well emphasized is the story line. The story is kept vague, I suspect quite intentionally, to reflect a lone stranger, action flick, reminiscent of the lone cowboy genre that Clint Eastwood is famous for. The main character is mysterious, brooding type who remains mostly, silent, throughout the film.
Indeed, there is not a lot of dialogue from any of the cast which actually works in this films favour. Its action driven and you get to know the characters, as the old saying goes, by their actions not their words. The fight scenes that are found throughout this title, are well choreographed with a feral, bloody quality. Certainly, this is not a film for the squeamish.
In summary Sword of Vengeance is a well rounded action film. Visuals aside its arguably very forgettable but at the same time its manages something that is quite difficult. A film that heavily exploits visual elements in place of dialogue and still succeeds in engaging the viewer. Seven out of ten from me.