crusader Historical and adventure films are rarely made here. But if they shoot, they usually do it the old-fashioned way: with stuntmen, natural effects and on nature. In the USSR, ballads about Robin Hood and Ivanhoe were staged several times. So with such a theme domestic cinema was familiar. And so, in the troubled time of the early 90s, something similar decided to shoot the main stuntman of our country Alexander Inshakov - master of sports, karate champion, head of the Association of stuntmen of Russia. Behind the scenes he worked in cinema since Soviet times, put with his team of dashing tricks in adventure films. And then himself, apparently feeling the director's ambitions decided to make his film. Of course, in his favorite adventure genre. Where he could turn to the fullest using the power of his stunt guys. And as a debut in a new field for himself, he chose the adaptation of the little-known historical novel of the master in this field of Walter Scott - "Count Robert of Paris".
Not being familiar with the plot of the original book, however, I know that the screenwriter Alexei Sidorov has changed it. But this did not affect the audience’s interest: the story told in the film was very exciting and dynamic. And this from the prose of the classic did not have to wait much (judging by his Ivanhoe, at least). In the picture there are many fights, sword battles, chases and knightly fights. All this is delivered without computer graphics, by stuntmen. Although everything is filmed in the old-fashioned tradition of Soviet adventure cinema, and will attract the modern viewer, tempted by such representatives of this genre as “Kingdom of Heaven” and “Gladiator”. And Alexander Inshakov with all due respect is not Ridley Scott, and the budgets of the paintings, roughly speaking, are incomparable. But with all this, from the “Knight’s Romance” can enjoy fans of domestic movie stars. There's a lot of them here. These are Vasily Lanova (Emperor of Byzantium Alexei Komnin), Lyubov Poleshchuk (Empress), Nikolai Yeremenko (Caesar Nikifor), Viktor Pavlov (Counselor of Agelast), Vera Sotnikova (Countess Brigitte), etc. And of course, the hero of the domestic, perestroika action Alexander Inshakov in the title role of the Count Robert of Paris. Everyone plays quite organically and fits into their imagery. It is impossible not to mention the very comical and crafty Pavlov, or the imperious and cunning Yeremenko. But here, who is remembered more than others, is in fact the main opponent of the hero, although he is exposed at the beginning, as if on the periphery of the action. This is strongman Tatiy, whose role was played by a big guy Yuri Slobodenyuk. This character is the commander of the imperial army, throughout the plot repeatedly encounters the brave hero Inshakov, and the viewer is already waiting for their inevitable duel, which sooner or later must happen. Which, in fact, happens closer to the end of the tape. Their fight was very intense and great. They wave axes, fight with swords - everything is right in such paintings.
The plot tells how Countess Brigitte goes with the Crusaders to Palestine, and in the vicinity of Poitiers held a knightly tournament - the winner of which will be honored to accompany on a military campaign beautiful Countess. The late Count Robert of Paris wins, and thus this slightly cynical warrior becomes Brigitte's Cavalier. Then the action is transferred to Byzantium. There, at the walls of Constantinople, the Crusaders decided to make a halt, demanding provisions and ships from the emperor there for the further journey. This is where the story actually begins. The fact is that the bellicose beauty Brigitte liked the local Caesar, and he organized her abduction. Of course, by that time, fell in love with his ward, noble knight Sir Robert rushed to save her.
It was shot somewhere near Istanbul. So the castle, impregnable walls and huge towers, beautiful chambers of the palace, etc. - all the present. Masses dressed in medieval Byzantium clothes are also not enough. Military ammunition such as: mail, armor, cloaks, helmets and cold weapons from spears to swords - reliably looking on the screen imitation. Unless, in a couple of scenes, it is noticeable that the shields of the guards of the imperial castle are made of plastic. And so, more or less recreates the authenticity of a long past era.
The camera work is quite tolerable, the picture is good (although the film itself is closer to television quality), all fights and chases were filmed quite successfully. Musical themes are quite organically inserted into the video. Oddly enough, but sounding on the final credits the song of Oleg Gazmanov “Everyone chooses for himself” this also applies. There are no complaints about the technical side of the picture. For her time, when she thought (and this is the beginning of the 90s, and with the cinema we had stitches) – it was cool and spectacular. Just the producer Anatoly Sivushov could not finish the movie immediately, prevented financial (and judging by the legendary action movie “Crusader”, criminal) problems. Therefore, finally mount and release the movie (bypassing the movie rental, immediately on TV) Inshakov and co were able only in the early 2000s. At the same time, those who knew about the existence of this film, the audience was finally able to see it, but it did not cause any impressions and excitement around it, as it should be assumed. After some time, the picture was released on licensed videotapes, and after a couple of repetitions on television, it sank into oblivion. And Inshakov and Sivushov made themselves an authority among the general public with their next production project - which later became the cult series "Brigade". But that was another story...
6 out of 10