Rice University
Medieval Studies Film Series, 2005-6
Media Center Su @ 3 p.m.
A free series devoted to classic and unique films about the Middle Ages, 500-1500 A.D.,
that focus on a variety of different cultures, religions, and ethnicities primarily set in
western Europe, Asia, and north Africa. All films are in English or subtitled. Sponsoring
courses are listed; the introducer will generally (but not always) be the same as the
instructor. Refreshments will be available for Rice students (first come, first served). See
www.medieval.rice.edu for more information about the program.
2005-6 Film Series Opener: August 21, Sunday, 3pm
Monty Python and the Holy Grail, dir. Terry Gilliam and Terry Jones (British,
1975), 90 mins., introducer, Jane Chance, Director, Medieval Studies Program,
for MDST/ENGL 317: Arthurian Literature and Sarah Westphal MDST/FSEM
123: “The Legend of King Arthur in the Middle Ages”
A political and social spoof of Great Britain in the early seventies and of the Arthurian legend, this
film remains the most hilarious of all medieval adaptations (“Spamalot,” the award-winning
musical now on Broadway, brings the spoof into the twenty-first century).
Fall, 2005
Aug. 28: The Nibelungen, part 1: Siegfried, dir. Fritz Lang (German, 1924),143 mins.,
Sarah Westphal, for Jane Chance, MDST 368/ENGL 309: “Mythologies”
Termed by medieval film critic Kevin Harty “one of the great films of all times,” the film derives
from the anonymous thirteenth-century German epic, The Nibelungenlied. Noted for its sets, its two
parts (the second on Kriemhild’s revenge) immortalize a great Teutonic myth. Originally five hours
long, this restored first part—at over two hours—includes the 1924 musical score.
Sept. 11: Ivanhoe [or The Jew’s Daughter], dir. Richard Thorpe (American, 1952), 107
mins., Gregory Kaplan, RELI 207: “Who is (Not) a Jew?”
An adaptation of Sir Walter Scott’s novel (1819), the film was notable in the fifties for its costumes
and setting; said to provide a gloss on 50s McCarthyism. Starring Robert Taylor as Ivanhoe and
Elizabeth Taylor as Isaac of York’s daughter.
Sept. 25: Saladin [An-Nasr Salah ad-Din], dir. Youssef Chahine (Egyptian, 1963), 146
mins., Paula Sanders, MDST/HIST 281: “Premodern Middle East History: The
Rise of Islam to 1800”
The Third Crusade from the Arabic perspective. For its day, the most expensive Arabic film
production ever; an Egyptian blockbuster.
Oct.
2: Lancelot du Lac, dir. Robert Bresson (French, 1974), 80 mins., Deborah
Nelson, MDST 408/FREN 504: “Beginnings of the Language and the Literature
of France”
Existential treatment of Arthurian legend after the return of the knights of the Round Table from
the quest of the Holy Grail, with its main source the Mort Artu, from the thirteenth-century
Arthurian Vulgate Cycle. Termed “moody,” “Bresson’s personal meditation on the downfall of the
Middle Ages.”
Oct. 23: Genghis Khan, dir. Zhan Xiang Chi (Chinese, 1986), Nanxiu Quan, MDST
370/ASIA/CHIN 330: “Intro to Traditional Chinese Poetry,” and Paula Sanders,
MDST/HIST 281: “Premodern Middle East History: The Rise of Islam to 1800
The Chinese and Mongolian film industries join hands to produce this biography of the founder of
Mongolia and China’s Yuan Dynasty, Genghis Khan (1162-1227). This hero is renowned as the
unifier of factions among Mongolian tribes.
Nov. 6: Gawain and the Green Knight, dir. John Michael Phillips (British, 1991), 76
mins., Jane Chance, MDST/ENGL 317/WTSG 301: Arthurian Literature
A beautifully made and authentic British tv version of the finest Middle English romance, the
fourteenth-century anonymous poem about King Arthur’s nephew.
Nov. 20: The Midwife’s Tale, dir. Megan Siler (American, 1996), 75 mins., Colleen
Lamos, WTSG 430/ENGL 498: “Queer Theory”
A feminist fairy tale about Lady Eleanor, her jealous husband, Lord William, and the midwife
Gwyneth during a time when midwives were frequently accused of witchcraft.
Spring, 2006
Jan. 15: L’Inferno [Dante’s Inferno], dir. Francesco Bartolini (Italian, 1910) (music by
Tangerine Dream), 71 mins., Jane Chance, MDST/Engl 310: “Dante in
Translation”
A remarkable achievement for its day. Dante (d.1320) and Virgil explore hell and (in more than
100 scenes) encounter Francesca da Rimini and Count Ugolino. Set designs are based on the
Gustave Doré illustrations. Music by Tangerine Dream was added when the film was restored.
Jan. 29: The Arabian Nights [Il Fiore delle mille e una notte], dir. Pier Paolo Pasolini
(French and Italian, 1974), 133 mins., Paula Sanders/ David Cook,
MDST/HIST/RELI: “Humor and Entertainment in Islamic Societies” (course
number TBA)
Part of a “trilogy of life” (the other films being The Canterbury Tales and the Decameron), this
film like the others reflects Pasolini’s desire for a new type of realistic film, focused on storytelling
and without ideology. The hero is a female slave, Zumurrud, a storyteller who picks as her master
the sexually inexperienced Nuredin and is then kidnapped.
Feb. 12: Stealing Heaven, dir. Clive Donner (Great Britain, 1989), 115 mins., Sarah
Westphal, MDST 335/GERM/WGST 330: “Courtship, Love, and Marriage and in
the Age of Chivalry”
An authentic filmic version of the passion of twelfth-century lovers Heloise and Abelard from
Heloise’s point of view. Based on Marion Meade’s 1979 novel of the same name.
Feb. 26: The Navigator: A Medieval Odyssey, dir. Vincent Ward (New Zealand, 1988),
89 mins., Jane Chance, MDST/ENGL 318: “J. R. R. Tolkien”
In 1348, at the time of the Black Death, miners in Cumbria in northern England seek to protect their
village by putting a cross on top of the cathedral spire. Entering a mine shaft, they emerge in
modern New Zealand. Time travel into perilous realms.
Mar. 5: The White Viking [Den Hvite Viking], dir. Hrafn Gunnlaugsson (Icelandic, 1991),
120 mins., Jane Chance, for Linda Neagley and Chuck Henry, MDST/ART:
“Medieval Art and Literature” (course number TBA)
In the tenth century, King Olaf of Norway, who intends for pagan Iceland to convert to
Christianity, forcibly separates Askur and Embla at their wedding feast. Later, Olaf falls in love
with Embla; Askur becomes a Christian missionary to rescue her. A fine production made for
Swedish television that lasted five hours, this version has been shortened to two.
Mar. 26: Edward II, dir. Derek Jarman (British, 1991), 91 mins., Introducer/course TBA
Edward II (1284-1327) faces political problems in England when he welcomes his lover Gaveston
home from exile in France and rejects his queen, Isabella. Freely adapted from Christopher
Marlowe’s tragedy Edward II (1594).
April 16: Hero [Ying Xiong], dir. Zhang Yimou (Chinese, 2002), 99 mins., Nanxiu
Quan, MDST 372/ASIA/CHIN 332: “Films and Chinese Literature,” MDST
375/ASIA/CHIN 335: “Introduction to Classical Chinese Novels”
An orphaned hero, Nameless commits himself to life as a swordsman in feudal pre-imperial China.
Summoned to court by the king of Qin, the hero defeats three would-be assassins of an important
warlord. Sumptuously shot, this Rashomon-like film stars Jet Li, Tony Leung, Maggie Cheung, and
Ziyi Zhang.
Presented with the support of a Sarofim Teaching Enhancement Grant and the Dean of
Humanities.
For additional information, please contact:
Professor Jane Chance, English
OR
Director, Medieval Studies Program
Herring Hall 235 X2625
jchance@rice.edu
Anita Norwig, Humanities Office, x4810
humadmin@rice.edu