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The Headsman

R 2005 1h 44m History Drama List
Reviews 34% Audience Score 250+ Ratings
In 16th-century Europe, an army captain (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) must choose between duty and friendship when he's asked to execute a man (Peter McDonald) he has known since childhood. Read More Read Less

Critics Reviews

View All (1) Critics Reviews
Boyd van Hoeij european-films.net The headsman of the title sure knows how to put on a good hack-job. No wonder, because he stars in one. Jan 11, 2006 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (24) audience reviews
laurie s The mood of the film was pure middle ages paranoia and well done. It's a shame some of the traitors never got their come-uppance but the acting a cinematography and directing was good. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member Orphans Martin (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) and Georg (Peter McDonald) bond as children, but walk very different paths as adults during Europe's 16th-century Inquisition. Georg follows his calling to join the church, while Martin becomes an army captain. When fate places Martin in the role of executioner, he must choose between friendship and fundamentalist doctrine... Director Simon Aeby's "Shadow of The Sword" or "The Headsman" is an intriguing and horrifying period piece, but the storyline is somewhat not fully satisfying and the production and the editing is a bit wobbly at times. The cast is ok and we get ok performances. Liked lovely Anastasia Griffith as Anna. However "Shadow of The Sword" is an ok period piece. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/21/23 Full Review Audience Member 3 ud af 5 bøddelsværd. Nikolaj Coster-Waldau er byens skarpretter i denne film, der foregår i det mørke Tyskland i 1500-tallet, dengang kirken opførte sig, som Saudi-Arabien gør i dag. Der ruller hoveder og skæres tunger, men filmen er faktisk bedre, end man umiddelbart skulle tro. Coster-Waldau er rigtig god, og Steven Berkoff er i sit ondeste es som inkvisitor. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/20/23 Full Review Audience Member OK period pic not much else though Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review Audience Member A surprisingly well made production that uses real locations to great effect. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review Audience Member Good action, and story but isn't perfect. But it's interesting and entertaining, and that's plenty. I liked this movie, and those with an interest in drama, history, or both will find something there for them, too. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/16/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Headsman

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Cast & Crew

Movie Info

Synopsis In 16th-century Europe, an army captain (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) must choose between duty and friendship when he's asked to execute a man (Peter McDonald) he has known since childhood.
Director
Simon Aeby
Screenwriter
Steve Attridge, Susanne Freund
Rating
R (A Scene of Sexuality|Violence)
Genre
History, Drama
Original Language
English
Runtime
1h 44m