From clashing spears to mud-slicked melees, medieval battles have long captivated filmmakers and audiences alike. Yet most depictions on screen bear little resemblance to the grinding, chaotic reality of warfare in the Middle Ages. Too often, they’re stylised to the point of fantasy, filled with choreographed duels, gleaming armour and impossibly clean victories.
But a handful of films have dared to strip away the myth and present medieval combat as it likely was: filthy, disorienting, exhausting and brutal. These films reject heroism for tension, and fantasy for fatigue. They focus on terrain, tactics and the sheer physical burden of battle, giving a far more faithful picture of warfare before the age of gunpowder.
Here is a ranked list of the most realistic medieval battle scenes in cinema, based not on spectacle, but on authenticity, production discipline and historical credibility. Whether grounded in English mud or Scottish bog, these films offer some of the most convincing recreations of medieval warfare ever brought to screen.
- The Last Duel (2021)
Director: Ridley Scott
Starring: Matt Damon, Adam Driver, Jodie Comer, Ben Affleck
Ridley Scott returned to historical epic with The Last Duel, a bleak and uncompromising film set in 14th-century France. Based on real court records, the story follows the events leading to the last legally sanctioned duel in France, fought between knight Jean de Carrouges and squire Jacques Le Gris.
The final duel is one of the most painstakingly crafted scenes of medieval combat ever filmed. Armour dents, blood pools slowly, and exhaustion takes over. There’s a tactile sense of fear and violence, enhanced by real steel armour and stunt choreography grounded in historical research. Unlike choreographed sword dances, this fight is brutal, weighty and erratic.
Production Values: The film used hand-forged weaponry, practical effects, and real locations in France and Ireland. The costuming was meticulously based on 14th-century French fashion and military gear.
Legacy: While overlooked at the box office, The Last Duel has gained respect for its historical seriousness and physical realism. Historians and reenactors have praised its depiction of judicial combat and social dynamics.
Where to Watch: Available to stream on Disney+ (UK) and other platforms such as Amazon Prime Video for rental or purchase.
- The King (2019)
Director: David Michôd
Starring: Timothée Chalamet, Joel Edgerton, Robert Pattinson
Loosely adapted from Shakespeare’s Henriad plays but restructured with modern historical sensibility, The King reimagines Henry V’s rise and the Battle of Agincourt. It eschews mythic heroism in favour of grit, politics and claustrophobic violence.
The battle is filmed in cold mud, with long, chaotic takes showing soldiers tripping, suffocating, and dying under weight. Cavalry is realistically funnelled into narrow terrain and slaughtered by longbowmen and dismounted men-at-arms.
Production Values: The battle choreography was developed with military historians and stunt teams experienced in historical warfare. Armour was accurately made, and the muddy terrain was a key part of the combat design.
Legacy: Praised for its stripped-back realism and serious tone. While not a box office feature, its accessibility via Netflix has made it widely viewed and discussed, particularly among students and fans of medieval history.
Where to Watch: Exclusively on Netflix.
- Outlaw King (2018)
Director: David Mackenzie
Starring: Chris Pine, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Florence Pugh
Focusing on the guerrilla tactics of Robert the Bruce, Outlaw King follows Scotland’s resistance after the execution of William Wallace. It portrays medieval Scottish warfare as muddy, mobile and often small in scale.
The Battle of Loudoun Hill is a highlight. Scottish infantry form a defensive line of spearmen on narrow, boggy ground, where English cavalry is funnelled into chaos. The battle is filmed with handheld cameras to convey the disorientation and closeness of combat.
Production Values: Shot entirely in Scotland with practical effects and location-based sets. Real chainmail, spears and handmade costume design bring credibility.
Legacy: Acclaimed for avoiding the overblown nationalism of Braveheart, and offering a more restrained, historically grounded perspective. A favourite among those interested in the Wars of Scottish Independence.
Where to Watch: Available on Netflix.
- Kingdom of Heaven – Director’s Cut (2005)
Director: Ridley Scott
Starring: Orlando Bloom, Eva Green, Jeremy Irons, Ghassan Massoud
The director’s cut of Kingdom of Heaven is a far richer, more coherent film than the theatrical release. Set during the lead-up to the Battle of Hattin and the siege of Jerusalem in 1187, it depicts the Crusades with complex characters and a sincere attempt at historical balance.
The siege of Jerusalem shows realistic military engineering: trebuchets, siege towers, and defensive oil are all accurately presented. Chainmail and helmets are consistent with 12th-century styles. The choreography avoids fantasy tropes and focuses on tactical sequences.
Production Values: Lavish. Filmed in Spain and Morocco with massive set pieces, thousands of extras and real siege equipment. The costume and armour design was advised by military historians and archaeologists.
Legacy: Initially dismissed, the director’s cut is now widely respected and often listed among the best historical epics of the 2000s. Historians praise its mature handling of religious conflict and strong production values.
Where to Watch: The Director’s Cut is available on Blu-ray and digital platforms including Apple TV and Amazon. Avoid the theatrical version.
- Henry V (1989)
Director: Kenneth Branagh
Starring: Kenneth Branagh, Derek Jacobi, Emma Thompson
Branagh’s debut film is a sombre and uncompromising take on Shakespeare’s play, blending powerful performances with a gritty interpretation of the Battle of Agincourt. Unlike Olivier’s 1944 version, Branagh focuses on the mud, rain and blood.
The battle is full of tension and confusion. Arrows fall in vast volleys, hand-to-hand fighting is messy, and soldiers collapse from exhaustion. The film avoids glorification and lingers on the suffering of the wounded and the weight of leadership.
Production Values: Made on a relatively modest budget, but uses fog, minimal scoring and tight cinematography to convey emotional and physical intensity.
Legacy: A landmark in Shakespeare on screen, and a respected portrayal of late medieval battle. Frequently used in education and theatre studies.
Where to Watch: Available on BBC iPlayer (UK), Amazon Prime Video and various digital platforms.
- Flesh and Blood (1985)
Director: Paul Verhoeven
Starring: Rutger Hauer, Jennifer Jason Leigh
Set in 1501 Italy, Flesh and Blood is grim, violent and morally ambiguous. Verhoeven portrays mercenaries during a siege, focusing on betrayal, disease, and brutal living conditions.
Sieges, ambushes and street battles are presented with nihilistic realism. Armour is battered, weapons are improvised, and violence is desperate. Characters are dirty, injured and often undignified.
Production Values: Filmed in Spain with extensive practical effects. Costume and armour design leans into historical texture rather than stylised aesthetics.
Legacy: A cult film among those interested in medieval life beyond kings and courts. Not widely known, but appreciated for its refusal to romanticise the past.
Where to Watch: Available on DVD and through some digital rental services like Apple and Amazon.
- Ran (1985)
Director: Akira Kurosawa
Starring: Tatsuya Nakadai, Mieko Harada
While not European, Ran captures the heart of medieval battlefield realism. Its depiction of feudal warfare, discipline, chaos, loyalty and loss, resonates across cultures. Based loosely on King Lear, the film portrays the disintegration of order through massive cavalry and infantry battles.
Troop formations are shown with strategic clarity. Armour, banners and weaponry are grounded in historical Japanese design. Kurosawa’s use of colour and silence in battle scenes enhances their horror and scale.
Production Values: Monumental. One of the most expensive Japanese films ever made at the time. Meticulously crafted sets, thousands of handmade costumes, and choreographed battle scenes without CGI.
Legacy: Considered one of the greatest war films ever made. Required viewing for those studying medieval warfare in cinema.
Where to Watch: Available on Criterion Channel, BFI Player, and Blu-ray.
