Review of film "SEASON OF THE WITCH" (re problems in the time of the Crusades)

Review of film:  "SEASON OF THE WITCH"

Oh, the “Dark Ages” were unbelievably DIM and GLOOMY in many respects…  As this story starts, it is during a period of the CRUSADES (which lasted from 1095 to 1291, and into the 15^th Century in Eastern Europe), and certain Catholic knights have been fighting Muslims for control of the Holy Land (& not acting all that “Holy” as they slaughter numerous people on the behest of usually-self-appointed religious zealots)… 

…  Our “hero” is knight Behman (NICHOLAS CAGE) and his cohort Felsen (RON PERLMAN)…  Nicholas is deeply upset when he finds a religious leader encouraging the killing of innocent women & children, & angrily LEAVES the area (and the control of the Church powers) to return to an area seemingly around Eastern Europe…

…  It was an exceptionally superstitious time, with those in power (often in the religious hierarchy) periodically using unproven claims to consolidate their political, religious and economic power by making “accusations” against others as an “excuse” to control things as they wished.  That included claiming certain women were “WITCHES” & needed to be killed…

…  Permeating the difficult times were numerous diseases, such as PLAGUES--  which were “conveniently” blamed on people those in power wanted to be rid of.  (The old idea of “sacrificing” 3^rd parties for the “Good” of those in control)… 

…  These elements come together in an area where Cardinal D’Ambroise (CHRISTOPHER LEE) is dying of the Plague…  Chris urges Nick & Ron to join with a priest -- seemingly named Debelzaq (STEPHEN CAMPBELL MOORE) – in bringing a pretty Girl (CLAIRE FOY) to a monastery so the monks there can judge whether she is a WITCH who may be the “cause” of the Plague that’s befallen the area…

…  Joining them on their difficult journey is a conscripted guide Hagamar (STEPHEN GRAHAM), an older man Eckhart (ULRICH THOMSEN), and a boy Kay (ROBERT SHEEHAN) who wants to be a knight…

…  The route to the monastery is fraught with danger--  strange occurrences, wild animals, tough traveling conditions, and deep divergences of opinion on whether Claire should be RELEASED from her iron cage, or whether she’s really a witch who can’t be relied on…

…  Who in the travelling party can really be TRUSTED by Nicholas & Ron?...  Can Claire “talk” to ANIMALS or other “unexpected” creatures?...  Why does she seem to have so much unusual physical strength?... 

…  Will she ever arrive at the monastery so the planned ceremonial “ritual” can tell the “truth” about her?...  IS Claire innocent, or a witch--  or “worse”?!...

…  I thought that the film did a GOOD job of setting an ominous “MOOD” & “TONE” for the Age being covered…  It mixes (with varying degrees of success) the superstitions inherent in an “uneducated” populace with the power of “controlling” groups, entwined with various religious and secular interests…

…  It’s not at all any “great” movie, but it has some fascinating elements and decent acting, mixed with some good ACTION elements & SPECIAL EFFECTS.  So, since it succeeded more than one might “expect” such a story line to achieve, I’m rating it 7.25 out of 10 stars…