Comments on: “Of course you realise this means war”

By: Jonathan Jarrett

Jonathan Jarrett — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 21:15:00 +0000

If for some crazy reason anyone ever decided it would be a good idea to do a biopic of Hincmar of Reims, Alan Rickman might be the only person who could save it :-)

I have a post about a scheming bishop of my own (in terms of academic field) under work, but he I think should be played by, well, the late Ian Richardson would have done it marvellously but I’m too far out of touch with the world of visual media these days to really know who could replace him. It (the post) shall forthcome, anyway.

By: Catalonia

Catalonia — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 17:47:34 +0000

I think I agree with Michael Alan Rickman would make an excellent scheeming bishop – memories of Robin Hood with Kevin Costner!

By: Military history carnival « Millard Fillmore’s Bathtub .

Military history carnival « Millard Fillmore’s Bathtub . — Sat, 18 Aug 2007 18:56:46 +0000

[...] Tenth century soap opera? It’s a true story. Great background — is this the sort of story that might interest women [...]

By: tenthmedieval

tenthmedieval — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 11:24:20 +0000

There’s a lot of time to get through where not much is helpful action. I was figuring those—why yes I am thinking about this too much now, well observed— might be doable as mock-extracts from the Annals of St-Bertin, voiced over various action scenes in a kind of “At this time, the Northmen rode throughout Aquitaine…” kind of way.

But if we’re going to centre on Bernard, and his death is clearly a natural climax, then yes, of course, we must have Dhuoda too. So maybe that works better…

By: Michael Tinkler

Michael Tinkler — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 11:11:23 +0000

Alan Rickman would make a great scheming bishop – or how about Hilduin of St Denis? Scheming abbots are just as useful!

Me, I see it all as told in a series of misty voice overs by Dhuoda…

By: tenthmedieval

tenthmedieval — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 11:51:17 +0000

It has to be Brits because in the story of the Carolingians there are no good guys :-)

By: Another Damned Medievalist

Another Damned Medievalist — Sat, 11 Aug 2007 14:47:43 +0000

Actually, I meant “Freeee-dooommmm” as in the Mel Gibson version of Wrong History. So a big club to hit you with if there’s a hint of Gibson!

Actually, Bernard Hill might make a good Charlemagne. Jeremy Irons might be a good Louis the Pious during the wars. If Alan Rickman were younger, he’d be a good Bernard. Actually, he’d be a good plotting bishop…

And yes, it makes little sense to cast all Brits, but why not?

By: tenthmedieval

tenthmedieval — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 11:27:02 +0000

It may not surprise you to learn that the cast for the film of the Carolingians (which should probably be called “Fields of Lies”, yeah? :-) ) is something I’ve discussed before. The big problem is that I see it as running 814 to 844, so pretty much everyone involved bar Charlemagne himself needs to age thirty years or so in the course of the film, especially Charles the Bald of course (less in his case, but you know what I mean). So Bernard Hill for the final sneering defiant Bernard, but not for the altogether-too-good-looking snide courtier who may or may not be in the Queen’s, er, favour…

But I have no intention of writing this script ever, so you don’t need to find a club just yet. (A club of what? Film critics?…)

By: Another Damned Medievalist

Another Damned Medievalist — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 14:25:04 +0000

Well, Bernard Hill for Bernard of Septimania, I think. Possibly Gerard Butler as C the B? Although they’re all a bit old, I think. I just can’t think of any decent actors under 30.

If the script has anybody screaming “Feeeeee-dom!” I’m so coming after you with a club!