|
Written by Finger_Of_DOOM
|
|
FLESH+BLOOD ** out of ***** Genres 1985 Directed by Paul Verhoeven Written by Gerard Soeteman and Paul Verhoeven Cast Rutger Hauer .... Martin Jennifer Jason Leigh .... Agnes Tom Burlinson .... Steven Jack Thompson .... Hawkwood Fernando Hilbeck .... Arnolfini Susan Tyrrell .... Celine Ronald Lacey .... Cardinal Brion James .... Karsthans John Dennis Johnston .... Summer Simón Andreu .... Miel Bruno Kirby .... Orbec Released in 1985 under the Orion banner, this film didn’t make a big dent in the box office. Although it was forgotten by most, Paul Verhoeven’s first English language film contains all that you can expect from the man that brought you Robocop, Starship Troopers and, of course, Showgirls: On-screen violence, blind faith, nudity, cruelty, blood, more nudity, a graphic rape, more nudity and yet more violence, and somewhere in all that is a story.  | Proof that you must see this movie
now!!!! | Martin (Rutger Hauer) and his band of medieval mercenaries are double-crossed by a noble lord. In seeking revenge they attack and highjack a royal convoy which is transporting the maiden Agnes (Jennifer Jason Leigh) whose hand is promised to wed the lord’s son Steven (Tom Burlinson). Agnes is discovered, raped and, within ten minutes of the rape, suddenly a full-fledged member of the group. Of course what Verhoeven film would be complete without some sort of satire disguised as narrative plot points? This one is no exception, the group follow what they think is a possessed statue of St. Martin. It leads them to a castle that they claim to be theirs and are stowed in until Steven and his armies come to the rescue of the kidnapped maiden…blah, blah, blah. It’s a fairly standard plot of kidnapping and revenge thrown into medieval times. I could go on and on about what happens but let’s face it, it would be too boring. Wouldn’t you rather just watch the film?  | Flesh+Blood: Also a javellin-
themed album by Roxy Music | The film itself is far from boring, in fact it’s quite entertaining, the film features some good performances, incredible production design and the film looks good (thanks to the eye of cinematographer Jan De Bont, let’s face it he shoots film better than directs). However, Verhoeven’s over-the-top take on the period is often ridiculous and lacks the sense of humour that makes his later films, such as Robocop, so enjoyable despite the obvious violence. Flesh+Blood takes itself too seriously.
 | "Rutger, do you like Roxy
Music?" |
MGM's Region 1 DVD includes the uncut international version of the film in all its 2 hours and 8 minutes of glory. All the footage once removed for the domestic US release are included here which is mainly made up of nude scenes, a sex scene and, surprise, the Agnes rape scene. |
