Black Death

Director Christopher Smith's gothic-historical action film takes place in England as the bubonic plague wreaks havoc throughout Europe. Set in 1348, the story centers on Osmund (Eddie Redmayne), a novice monk who signs on to guide Ulric (Sean Bean), the Bishop's envoy, to a marsh village that has escaped the pestilence. Rumors ascribe this miraculous development to a necromancer raising the dead (Ulric's predecessor—sent to investigate—never returned). Osmund, who has recently lost his secret love, travels with Ulric's worn and weathered men, including Wolfstan (John Lynch), his second-in-command. When one man exhibits signs of infection, Wolfstan eases his suffering before the group pushes on, but a band of marauders further decimates the party before they are able to reach their destination. When they do arrive in the seemingly pleasant village, herbal healer Langiva (Carice van Houten) treats Osmund's wounds and brings a dead associate back to life—but after a drugged meal, the men find themselves in chains. Langiva claims she will set them free if they renounce God, although this is a false promise, since the townspeople believe it is Christian blood that makes them resistant to disease (so some believers won't make it out of this Wicker Man-like world alive). While there are a few anachronistic bits of dialogue—like the word “shagging”—Black Death is more about thrills and spills than historical accuracy. A strong optional purchase. (K. Fennessy)