Druids (2001)

Too much of everything

Good , But It Is Overrated By Some

A Masterpiece!

The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

Released to video in 2001 and originally titled "Vercingétorix" (also known as "The Gaul"), "Druids" relays the story of Vercingétorix (Christopher Lambert) who unites the people of Gaul (Northern France, Luxembourg, Belgium, most of Switzerland, parts of Northern Italy, as well as areas of the Netherlands and Germany) and led them against Roman domination at the hands of Julius Caesar in 52 BC. The film details the Battle of Gergovia, which the Gauls won, and culminates with the decisive Battle of Alesia. Max Von Sydow plays a Druid sage who advises Vercingétorix (VER-sin-JET-er-ix).This is a low-budget France/Canada/Belgium production that lacks the technical excellence of films like "Braveheart" and "King Arthur," which explains why it was released straight-to-video. Nevertheless, it was released theatrically in most of Europe, including France where it was said to be popular (unsurprisingly). Certain aspects are even cartoonish and amateurish (e.g. the wigs), almost like an episode of "Xena." Unlike "Xena," however, it's R-rated and features quite a bit of female top nudity, if that's your thang; there's some gore too, but it's rather tame.I read the horrible reviews beforehand and was therefore prepared for the worst. It's obvious why people lambaste "Druids" because it's so wrong, like the thoroughly incongruous score during a couple of the battle sequences. If you can accept the limitations of the production and adapt to the almost surreal badness of it all, however, the movie has some highlights, like the stunning Maria Kavardjikova as Rhia, Vercingétorix' female associate. Some People complain that Klaus Maria Brandauer as Caesar seems bored in the role, but he was effectively austere, displaying the over-confident pomp of a Roman Emperor. Although the opening act is weak (tempting viewers to tune out), the story mildly grabs your attention thereafter as long as you can acclimate to the unique (to be nice) presentation. Moreover, some parts of the score are good, as are the awesome Bulgarian locations and some of the (sometimes cheesy) sets. The cinematography's weak, however, as are several of the peripheral cast.What's good about "Druids" is that it does inspire you to research the real-life story of Vercingétorix and his struggle to free the Gauls from Roman rule, as well as other items in the movie, like the Teutons, which are depicted in an almost laughable manner in the movie. I briefly read about the Gauls and Vercingétorix in college, but it was long forgotten until seeing this movie.FINAL WORD: While "Druids" has some points of interest, like Rhia and the locations, it's really only worthwhile in a so-bad-it's-good way, although some people might be able to adjust to the cheesy presentation and take it seriously (I did, but only to a degree). For an excellent sword & sandal TV flick from the same time period (2001) see "Attila." The film runs 124 minutes.GRADE: C-

This movie came out in 2001 with Christopher Lambert. I have not been able to find it anywhere under the title of "The Gaul" and I found out that the reason for this is because its actual title is "Druids". People come to IMDb to find information on a particular movie or a particular actor or character and if we are unable to find what we are looking for under the name we know it to be, then that becomes a problem. I came here looking for information for a movie titled Druids, and was not able to find it. So I looked for it under the actors name and could not find it. It was not until I tried to add the correct credit for this actor based on the character played in the film, that I was able to find it at all and that was because when I tried to add it, it was rejected and the site then came up with the movie the character was associated with. This being the case, i really feel that someone needs to do some checking and get this corrected.

I had read some of the reviews before watching "Vercingétorix", so I did not expect much from it. But, on the contrary, I found this a surprisingly good movie! I cannot understand those who dislike it so! Maybe it has to do with how much pre-knowledge you have. I read Caesar's own account of the Gallic Wars recently, so for me it was very interesting to see the events of the memoirs acted out before my eyes, in very beautiful and - for the most part - historically accurate pictures.Everything is not right: Vercingétorix' wife was NOT Caesar's mistress in reality (at least nothing like that is taken down in the annals anywhere) - but this is not more odd than the fact that Spartacus' woman was Crassus' mistress in the highly approved movie "Spartacus" from 1960! The Gauls' helmets with horns on them are probably not right either. But these are small things.The Romans are depicted _very_ accurately, with their uniforms, weapons, and helmets, their fortresses and battle formations. The props in Caesar's tent are also just right: the hanging oil lamps, the papyrus rolls and feather pens, the small models of war machines... Also, there is beautiful and wise dialog - especially at the end of the movie. I listened to some of it several times just because it was so good. And _magical_ music...Christopher Lambert is always a little wooden, of course - he does not have very many facial expressions! :-) - but I think he was very believable in this movie. It was just right to use a french actor for the leader of the Gauls! I see nothing silly with his wig either - the Gauls DID have hair like that! :-) _But_ I would have preferred a more handsome man to play Caesar. This one was too short, tubby and broad-faced compared to the statues of Caesar. This was the only real mistake in the movie, I think, that there was no really handsome man to admire in it - with a "Rex Harrison" for Caesar I would have given it ten stars! There was a very beautiful woman for the male viewers to look at, though: Inés Sastre.A movie truly worth watching!

A truly horrible movie, from the acting to the camera-work, to the editing. I only watched it because I got the VHS for 50 cents and absolutely nothing was on TV. It barely beat out doing housework! Ugh!I already knew Christopher Lambert couldn't act (he got lucky and was carried by Sean Connery in Highlander) but he surpassed even my low expectations. And that hairdo! Like Frankenstein on a bad hair day.For what it's worth, Klaus Maria Brandauer did a good job (if you envision Caesar with a German accent) and Max von Sydow was, well...Max von Sydow.Oh, and one of the tribes (a little over halfway through the move) all had pink hair and looked like some type of mutant's escaped from a Wendy's restaurant! There was even a guy who looked like Pipi Longstocking. Scary.Anyway, if you want to watch something while you get really drunk (or otherwise inebriated) this might work, otherwise, save your 50 cents!