Arn: Knight Templar (Swedish with English Subtitles)

First thing's first. This is not a science fiction, fantasy or horror film - not even close. It has some of the sword fighting that appeals to fantasy fans but it's a straight history. It's also a love story. But for all that's holy (relevant here) do not let that put you off watching this film. It is simply too good to miss.

Arn is a young Swede during the times of the Crusades. He survives a childhood raised in a monastery (where he's combat-trained by a former crusader) and the inter-clan rivalries to see a single youthful indiscretion (by the standards of the day) result in him drafted into the Knights Templar and his betrothed, Cecelia, sent to a nunnery for twenty years. Arn travels to the Holy Land to defend Jerusalem against the Moslems but vows to Cecelia he will return.

Through a chance encounter he forms an unlikely friendship with Saladin, the general leading the Moslem army. In a lesser film the concept of a Christian Knight and Saladin becoming friends would appear simply ludicrous. Here though it's handled sympathetically and the mutual respect of two highly honourable warriors feels natural.

The film stays true to the period and scope of the film in one respect. Arn in his homeland speaks Swedish. In the monastery you will hear English and some French, and when with Saladin he speaks Arabic (a fact that offends some of his fellow knights). Okay, this does mean that for large portions of the film English speakers will be reading subtitles - but it is a price worth paying for a film this good.

Page updated 7 March, 2011