Lord "Arnolfini" (Fernando Hilbeck) makes an error in judgment when he pledges a substantial reward to mercenary leader "Martin" (Rutger Hauer) in exchange for assisting him in reclaiming his castle, but then goes back on his word. As a result of this agreement, "Martin" and his group attack a caravan transporting his son, "Steven" (Tom Burlinson), and fiancée, "Agnes" (Jennifer Jason Leigh). She suffers a violent as…

The strength of the secondary players elevates this to a classic status, similar to many films considered timeless. This story, filled with medieval violence, brutality, and struggles for survival, feels genuinely grand in scope. Paul Verhoeven’s direction delivers the kind of confrontational style he's known for. Unlike some of his other works, there isn’t much humor present; it’s a relentlessly intense exper…

During the early 1500s in plague-swept Western Europe, a rough group of mercenaries without any rules, fronted by the compelling Martin (Rutger Hauer), abduct a young noblewoman (Jennifer Jason Leigh) as payback against a deceitful Lord (Fernando Hilbeck). These unsophisticated people take refuge inside a small castle while the Lord’s son, Steven (Tom Burlinson), attempts to rescue his fiancée (Leigh) with his soldie…