Just thought you would like to know.

The costumes...well... They liked leather with studs on it, though the basic forms seemed "right" the material was wrong in most cases.

I think they could have found an actor that looked more like Vlad's images, but hey...this was a Hollywood production right? The guy had long flowing dark hair, a "widow's peak" (have to have that Count Dracula feel), didn't wear a hat at any time, nor did any of the ladies.

I knew they would put a slightly supernatural twist on the movie, but it didn't come until the very end. However, if you believe that excommunication will deny your soul access to both Heaven and Hell and you will be doomed to walk the earth for eternity, then it fell in line with the views of the Church during the time period as well as its view on suicide.

His wife seemed to have some modern attitudes toward his brand of justice against the Turks and those that were in league with them. I don't think she would have had them in reality.

I look at the Ottoman Empire's encroachment on Vlad's country much the way I would view a home invasion, just on a grander scale. If I were out numbered, I would try to drive out the invaders any way possible. Civility and Chivalry have nothing to do with it when protecting one's home and loved ones. Look at any major modern war where everyone gets involved. There is nothing glamourous about it. It is vicious, bloody, and often cruel. Especially when you are trying to send a very clear message to an invading army that their presence is NOT wanted.

I guess I get a little perturbed when they place a modern value/moral system on the Middle Ages. I may not agree with Vlad's methods, but I don't paint him as a villain either.

Most of the events were on. I didn't like the cheesiness of the production. I wish somebody would do the 15th century right for ONCE.

I rewatch historical movies when they have interesting visuals and/or compelling stories/characters. Visually this one was lackluster and pretty bad. Characters were pretty uninteresting too.

On my "rewatch" meter, it gets a 'I might be able to sit through half of it again'. For perspective, I've seen Brannagh's Hank V about 20 times.......so far. And it was low budget too, just much more ingenuitive.

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Cheers,