Subtitle The War Lord -

Unlike many Hollywood epics of the time, The War Lord depicts the Middle Ages as a "gritty and grubby" period where human behavior is often driven by base instincts rather than chivalry.

The story centers on a tragic conflict sparked by (the "right of the first night"), a feudal custom Chrysagon invokes to take a young bride, Bronwyn (Rosemary Forsyth), on the eve of her wedding to a villager. When Chrysagon refuses to return her by dawn, he ignites a violent uprising among the villagers, who ally with the Frisians to lay siege to his tower. Core Cast & Crew Director: Franklin J. Schaffner Starring: Charlton Heston as Chrysagon Richard Boone as Bors, his loyal retainer Rosemary Forsyth as Bronwyn Guy Stockwell as Draco, Chrysagon's envious brother Maurice Evans as the local Priest James Farentino as Marc, Bronwyn's betrothed subtitle The War Lord

is a 1965 American historical drama that depicts medieval life in 11th-century Normandy. Directed by Franklin J. Schaffner and starring Charlton Heston, the film is widely recognized for its gritty, "de-romanticized" portrayal of the Middle Ages, emphasizing the dirt, violence, and rigid social hierarchies of the era. Plot Overview Unlike many Hollywood epics of the time, The