Mark Reviews Movies

Pilgrimage (2017)


PILGRIMAGE (2017)

3 Stars (out of 4)

Director: Brendan Muldowney

Cast: Tom Holland, Jon Bernthal, Stanley Weber, Richard Armitage, John Lynch, Rúaidhrí Conroy, Hugh O'Conor, Tristan McConnell, Eric Godon

Running Time: 1:36

Release Date: 8/11/17 (limited)

Review by Mark Dujsik | August 10, 2017

An intelligent theological debate plays out beneath the bloody carnage of Pilgrimage. The time is 1209 A.D., between the Fourth and Fifth Crusades, but the place is Ireland, "far from the Holy Land" for which people are fighting, killing, and dying. It's a place where Christianity exists, but so, too, do ancient superstitions and people who have felt betrayed by a God that they once believed would protect them. At its best, Jamie Hannigan's screenplay plays like a fable, drenched in Irish folklore, inquisitive of what constitutes legitimate faith, and set amidst a landscape that looks as timeless as the questions the characters find themselves asking.

The main question is the nature of humanity—whether we are inherently peaceful or violent, whether the purpose of life is tranquility or conquest, whether we are capable of bettering ourselves or doomed to keep repeating the same cycle of war over and over again. These are big questions, and they're ones that the film isn't completely capable of addressing in a significant way. At its core, the story is an adventure across rough but beautiful terrain, in which the heroes discover enemies without and within their ranks. There's nothing particularly unique about the tale itself or the way it seems to find Medieval violence around every corner, but it's propelled by those questions—even when it isn't asking them directly.

The film begins with a prologue in 52 A.D., as a Christian is martyred by means of a brutal stoning, as the clouds above protest the killing with thunder and lightning. In the 13th century, the stone that served as the coup de grâce has become a holy relic of the Church-recognized saint. It is rumored to possess great powers, namely the capability to burn one's enemies where they stand.

The relic is protected at a monastery on the west coast of Ireland, where it's kept in a locked and adorned chest that is housed in a deep hole. These monks have taken its protection as their vocation, hiding it from invaders and willing to die should anyone attempt to steal it. The youngest of the group is Brother Diarmuid (Tom Holland), who spots some soldiers on horseback while returning to the monastery with a mute man (played by Jon Bernthal) who has served as the monks' helper since washing up on shore years ago. The leader of the soldiers is a Cistercian monk named Geraldus (Stanley Weber), who has come by order of the Pope to retrieve the relic and bring it to Rome. It will be used in a forthcoming Crusade for Jerusalem.

The monks don't want to give up the stone, but they definitely won't deny an order from the Pope. A group of monks, including Diarmuid, will accompany Geraldus from the monastery to a ship in Waterford, which will transport the lot to France. From there, it's to Rome.

Needless to say, the crew doesn't make it that far, because there are many dangers in the woods and even more dangers among them. Of note is a battalion of Norman soldiers who are trying to conquer Ireland themselves. Their leader (played by Eric Godon) is an old man, who has spent his life serving in military conquests (The monks find him and his men in the shadow of a burning castle).

Now, realizing that he likely will die and be buried in this foreign land, he wants to atone for his sins. The monks are outraged, but the Normans have an alliance with Rome. Who, again, are they to disobey the will of Geraldus, who has been appointed by the Pope to carry out the Holy See's wishes? Anyway, to fight and kill in the name of Christ is to obtain salvation—at least that's the way of the Church at this time.

This is the central conflict—between the peaceful devotion of the Irish monks and the warring mindset of the soldiers for the Church. The latter group includes Geraldus, who, despite his holy title, is dressed and acts like a warrior. He fits in more with Raymond De Merville (Richard Armitage), the son of the Norman baron looking for last-minute redemption, than his nominal kin in robes.

There are battles as the journey continues, of course, although it's possible they could have been avoided, if not for Geraldus and Raymond's enthusiasm for punishing the members of a native tribe that they accuse of stealing. As staged by director Brendan Muldowney, the violence here is marked by its brutality, which includes a sword breaking as it's yanked from a man's skull and a torture device that eviscerates its victims. It's telling that the cruelest acts of violence are perpetrated by those who seek to conquer, even if they have, at a certain point, announced that they're willing to betray the Church in their desire for more territory. It's Geraldus who wants the stone to be used to smite the Church's enemies. He believes in that superstition but shuns the notion that ancient fairies have poisoned a stream.

There's a lot here, and it might too much for the film to juggle (The mute man does become something of an easy out for the story—a soldier who can do all of the violence for the monks, so that they can keep their hands relatively clean). Even if all of it doesn't quite come together, Pilgrimage is an adventure that at least shows some care for the ideas underneath the action.

Review: Holy quest turns bloody in violent ‘Pilgrimage’
Adam Graham, The Detroit News Published 11:14 p.m. ET Aug. 10, 2017 | Updated 9:50 a.m. ET Aug. 11, 2017

A holy quest to deliver a sacred relic turns brutally violent in “Pilgrimage,” a 13th-century journey that’s alternately stoic and bloody, and not much in-between.

“Spider-Man: Homecoming’s” Tom Holland stars as a young monk who is part of a team tasked with transporting a holy artifact to Rome. Along the way, there are various obstacles in their path, including soldiers who desperately want their hands on the treasure. Defending it becomes increasingly dangerous.

So what is the hallowed item? It’s a piece of rock, once used in the stoning of a Catholic martyr in 55 A.D. This stoning is depicted in the film’s opening scene, and its graphic nature sets the tone for the gory battles to come.

This band of monks also includes a man known only as “The Mute” (Jon Bernthal), whose silent nature is talked about so frequently that you just know he’s bound to say something sooner or later. Bernthal, an electric actor whose presence spices up films from “The Wolf of Wall Street” to “Baby Driver,” is a cauldron of slow-burning rage here, and when he finally unleashes his fury it’s nearly worth the wait.

Nearly, since “Pilgrimage” is a rather difficult sell. Director Brendan Muldowney has fashioned a film that is part religious text, part violent epic. It’s spoken in French, English and Gaelic and takes itself deadly seriously, but it also has scenes of bloodletting that would make gorehounds perk up in their seats. It’s an odd mixture of Sunday church and comics that probably should have chosen one or the other.

agraham@detroitnews.com

(313) 222-2284

@grahamorama

‘Pilgrimage’

GRADE: C


Running time: 96 minutes

Capsule reviews for Aug. 11
11 August 2017 by Todd Jorgenson

[...]


Pilgrimage

If you aren’t familiar with the Norman wars in Ireland, then this brutal action saga won’t do much to fill in the historical gaps, except for the brutal part. Against the backdrop of a 13th century Norman invasion, a handful of monks are chosen to transport a valuable religious relic to Rome, with their journey growing more perilous by the day. Among those who must protect their lives as much as the cargo are a young novice (Tom Holland) and a hot-tempered mute (Jon Bernthal). The film is stylish but emotionally distant, more concerned with bloody fights and weaponry than any meaningful character or thematic depth. (Not rated, 96 minutes).

[...]

Pilgrimage
age 16+


Rated: NR
Genre: Action/Adventure
Release Year: 2017
Running Time: 96 minutes


What parents need to know

Positive messages

The only real takeaways here are the inevitability of violence and the intolerance of religion.

Positive role models

Brother Diarmuid remains mostly uncorrupted and pure of heart throughout, though whether he's a role model is up for debate.

Violence

Extremely gruesome medieval battles. A man is bludgeoned to death with stones; gory, bloody head wound shown. Severed hands, sniffed and licked by dogs. Men pierced by arrows. Sword fighting. Face-smashing. Choking. Biting. A monk is tied up and tortured. Blood sprays. Dead animals.

Sex
Not applicable

Language
Not applicable

Consumerism
Not applicable

Drinking, drugs, & smoking

Monks drink wine.


Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Pilgrimage is a grim medieval action-adventure story set in 13th-century Ireland. It's extremely violent, with tons of gory, wince-inducing scenes. A man is bludgeoned with rocks, men are pierced by arrows, battles are brutal. Expect sword fighting, torture, bloody wounds and blood sprays, severed limbs, dead animals, and more. Teens who like stars Tom Holland and Jon Bernthal -- or Game of Thrones fans -- may be intrigued, but they'll likely be disappointed.

What's the story?

In PILGRIMAGE, young Brother Diarmuid (Tom Holland) is an inexperienced monk living in a remote monastery in Ireland, circa 1209 A.D. His friend, an unnamed mute monk (Jon Bernthal) looks after him. They're visited by Brother Geraldus (Stanley Weber), who tells them that the Church needs a holy relic that the monks have in their possession. So they must begin a long, treacherous journey, protecting the relic the entire way. They're joined by a soldier (Richard Armitage), who may or may not be trustworthy. As the journey wears on, Brother Diarmuid experiences unheard-of violence and finds courage he never knew he had.

Is it any good?

Brendan Muldowney directs this historical dirge, which is plagued by snooze-inducing seriousness, a dutiful reliance on genre chestnuts, and an overall lack of excitement. Game of Thrones this most certainly is not. Viewers who loved Holland's exuberance in Spider-Man: Homecoming will find none of that here; in Pilgrimage, he merely looks damp and confused. The actors speak (well, ague, mostly) in various languages, including Gaelic; there are subtitles, though all of it sounds tired. Bernthal comes off a bit better, perhaps due to the fact that his character has no dialogue; his expressive face and impressive physicality show that he's a true pro.

Muldowney's palette is gray and somber, and the music drones on, which will make viewers glad that they weren't around 800 years ago; it doesn't look like much fun. But, rather than keeping with any kind of old-fashioned motif, the director uses modern, wobbly hand-held camera for his muddy close-ups. Then, when the gruesome violence erupts, he responds with fast, choppy editing. Overall, this adventureless adventure is about as thrilling as what the holy relic actually turns out to be when its box is opened.

Families can talk about...

Families can talk about Pilgrimage's violence. How intense is it? What affect does it have? Does exposure to violent movies or video games make kids more aggressive?

What is the movie's message about religion and religious beliefs? Do you agree?

What is the meaning of the religious icon? Why is it so ordinary-looking?

How does this movie compare to other movies or TV shows you've seen that take place in the middle ages? What does that time seem like, overall?

Movie details
Theatrical release date: August 11, 2017
Cast: Tom Holland, Jon Bernthal, Richard Armitage
Director: Brendan Muldowney
Studio: RLJ Entertainment
Genre: Action/Adventure
Run time: 96 minutes
MPAA rating: NR

Pilgrimage
***

Reviewed by: Amber Wilkinson

"Muldowney takes things seriously, with cinematographer Tom Comerford using the lowering skies and boggy heaviness to his advantage"

Tom Holland takes a break from his Spider-Man web-slinging to step back in time to 13th century Ireland for this muted drama set at the time of the Crusades. But though the time period reaches back even further than that, to the martyring of a man named Matthias, writer Jamie Hannigan and director Brendan Muldowney are about to make an argument regarding the problems of religion breeding violence that has continued to echo down the ages, through to the present day. When one man says "Peace is to be cared for, nurtured," the years fall away, as it could just as easily be someone referring to the Good Friday Agreement.

Religious belief is no saviour here - and Hannigan also shows how the older superstitions of the island persist alongside it, suggesting that when life is tough, it is perhaps no wonder people are willing to hedge their bets.

Holland plays novice monk Brother Diarmuid, the youngest member of a monastery on the isolated reaches of the island, where the rock said to have killed Matthias is now kept in an ornate reliquary. Life is about to be uprooted for the monks with the arrival of Brother Geraldus (Stanley Weber) from Rome - which, at the time the piece is set, seems almost as far away as heaven itself.

With the Crusades in trouble, the Pope has sent his emissary to bring the relic to the Vatican in a bid to strengthen their hand. Though unwilling, for multiple reasons, a small band of monks embark, Hobbit style, on the quest. Among them are Diarmuid and Jon Bernthal as a mysterious mute (aren't they all in this sort of film?), who turns out to have a canny knack at fighting with his shirt off. Before long, they have run across a band of pillaging Normans led by Raymond De Merville (Richard Armitage), whose faith may well be sacramental-wafer thin, and the local clansmen, who are seeking to slay the French invaders.

Muldowney takes things seriously, with cinematographer Tom Comerford using the lowering skies and boggy heaviness of the Irish woodland and heath to his advantage, with Stephen McKeon's Gregorian chant-laced scoring adding to the atmosphere. The violence is bone-crunching and used judiciously, so that it remains rooted in the past rather than fantasy, and showing the two drivers of life are faith and fear - often in combination. The irony that all this bloodshed is happening for a rock is strongly felt, although we're also aware that men have doubtless died for less.

It's a shame the rock-bottom budget means there are one or two continuity issues with the reliquary, which seems to miraculously re-sprout its gems at one point. This is nonetheless a well-crafted piece that provides enough action to please an audience, without overwhelming its sombre mood or its underlying message. The film has gone straight to DVD in Britain, but it's well worth looking out for.

PILGRIMAGE
August 10, 2017 One Guys Opinion

Producer: Conor Barry, John Keville and Benoit Roland
Director: Brendan Muldowney
Writer: Jamie Hannigan
Stars: Tom Holland, Richard Armitage, John Bernthal, Stanley Weber, John Lynch, Ruaidhri Conroy, Hugh O'Conor, Donncha Crowley, Gaetan Wenders and Eric Godon
Studio: RLJ Entertainment

B-

The conflict between faith and fanaticism—not to mention simple disbelief—lies at the core of this dark but curiously hopeful (though extremely violent) medieval tale about a journey gone terribly wrong. “Pilgrimage” isn’t really about one in the Chaucerian sense—the term, after all, usually refers to a trip to visit a holy place in the hope it will bring some redemptive effect, and the trek here involves the transport of a precious relic from western Ireland to Rome. But the essence of Jamie Hannigan’s script revolves around whether such sacred totems are worth the credence placed in them, or can effect justice in unexpected ways.

Following a prologue showing the stoning of Matthias, the “thirteenth disciple” who was Judas’ replacement, in Cappadocia, the scene switches to an Irish monastery, where a stone struck by lightning is venerated as being that which killed him, wielded by a man then incinerated by a bolt from the heavens. In 1209, a Cistercian named Geraldus (Stanley Weber) appears with a bull from Pope Innocent III, ordering that the strangely deformed stone be sent to Rome, where its power will be accessed to ensure the success of a crusade the pontiff is planning (presumably either the so-called Albigensian Crusade in southern France or the Fifth Crusade of 2013 to Egypt). The Abbot (Donncha Crowley) orders the reliquary, which had been buried to safeguard it against invaders, to be retrieved and assigns a group of four monks—Ciaran (John Lynch), Rua (Ruaidhri Conroy), Cathal (Hugh O’Conor) and young novice Diarmuid (Tom Holland) to accompany the relic and Geraldus to the port of Waterford for transport to England. The house’s mute but strong servant (Jon Bernthal), who washed up on shore years earlier and has remained ever since, will also go along.

For the first part of the journey, the group is protected by bowmen from a friendly Celtic tribe, but eventually they meet up with a force headed by the feudal lord (Eric Godon) who is leading the Norman effort to conquer the island. Elderly and desirous of absolution for his bloody life, he welcomes the travelers warmly and provides them with an ample squadron of knights. His son Raymond (Richard Armitage), the leader of the defenders, is, however, much less scrupulous in his religious practice, perhaps as a result of what he witnessed during the recent crusade that attacked the Christian city of Constantinople, where he picked up—from a priest, no less—a little knifelike device that causes excruciating pain when inserted into a foe’s abdomen and ever so slightly twisted, a tool he is not at all loath to employ.

The troupe will have hard going when most of their Norman protectors are called away on another mission and some hostile Celts attack. Two of their number will fall, one of them tortured to death, and only the intervention of the mute servant—who has a violent past—saves Geraldus, Diarmuid and Cathal. Recovering the relic, the four continue their trek with villains in close pursuit, and must try to escape on the river to Waterford, with the mute’s ability to hold off the attackers their only hope of success. In the end, however, the young, naïve novice will have to face off against the grimly determined Cistercian in what amounts to a contest between two very different conceptions of what faith entails.

“Pilgrimage” has a considerable number of virtues, from an attempt at historical accuracy that extends to the use of different languages—mostly English, but also some French and Gaelic, with occasional bursts of Latin (along with subtitles, of course)—to the magnificent vistas shot on location in luminous widescreen by Tom Comerford. It also boasts a convincingly grubby look (courtesy of production designer Owen Power and costumer Leonie Prendergast), a brooding atmosphere fashioned by director Brendan Muldowney, editor Maired McIvor and composer Stephen McKeon, and some expert acting from a committed cast, including Holland, who employs subtlety to make the novice a convincingly conflicted figure standing in contrast to Weber’s rigidly self-certain Cistercian and Armitage’s amoral, duplicitous Raymond.

There is, however, a central problem with the film: while it raises intriguing issues about religious belief, it also aims to be an action-adventure, a sort of thirteenth-century western, and the two parts don’t always mesh very happily. The periodic scenes of hand-to-hand combat and torture, though intensely played by Armitage, Lynch and especially burly Bernthal, are often so protracted and gruesome that they throw the film’s balance out of whack. Yes, the Middle Ages were a period of great brutality and copious bloodshed, but “Pilgrimage” is so determined to make that point over and over that the more thoughtful questions the embedded in the plot are often put on the back burner.

Despite its propensity to aim for the jugular rather than the brain, however, “Pilgrimage” proves an intriguing attempt at capturing the often contradictory spiritual and material realities of Europe’s so-called age of faith.
B-

Mini reviews of 'Bedeviled,' 'Afterimage,' 'Pilgrimage,' 'Nut Job 2,' 'Step,' 'Once Upon a Time' and 'Escapes'
August 10, 2017 — 4:09pm

[...]


Pilgrimage
⋆½ out of four stars
Unrated but includes graphic violence and profanity. In English, subtitled Gaelic and French, and Latin.
Theater: AMC Apple Valley 15

If you thought that “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” would have been better with more graphic head bashing, a soundtrack of medieval Gregorian chants and no jokes, here is the film for you. Shot in bleak landscapes across Ireland, it gives us a look at the brutal dangers and general hardships of early 13th-century life.

A small group of monks slowly transports a holy relic from their cloister to Rome, its reverent power wanted by the Vatican to bless warriors soon to begin a new Crusade. They discover on the journey toward Italy that the richly jeweled case has other values for other seekers, threatening to fill more graves along its trail.

Primary roles go to Tom Holland (“Spider-Man: Homecoming”) as a naive young monk and Jon Bernthal (Marvel’s “Punisher” series, which hits Netflix in November) as a powerful, silent servant believed to be holding mute since his time in the previous Crusade. Still, the story moves at a tedious snail’s pace. Those with limited interest in chain-mail sheaths and theology should prepare to be as bored as I was.
C.C.

Review: Pilgrimage
2 days agoby: Chris Bumbray

PLOT: In 13th century Ireland, a group of monks, led by a young novice (Tom Holland) must escort a sacred relic through deadly territory, with only a mute servant (Jon Bernthal) with a past to protect them from soldiers seeking to claim their prize.

REVIEW: PILGRIMAGE is probably destined for some notoriety as the movie Tom Holland and Jon Bernthal were making when they got their individual, star-making Marvel roles, with Holland landing Spider-Man, and Bernthal – The Punisher. As such, this can’t help but be a curio for Marvel fans, being a modest character piece that aims to be closer to THE NAME OF THE ROSE than “Game of Thrones”.

One thing that’s very interesting is how it’s a linguistic smorgasbord, with many of the actors (save Bernthal – who plays a mute) getting a workout, handling Gaelic, French and English dialogue throughout. Holland, as the pious young novice, is exceptionally good considering his age, and if the Marvel bosses got a look at the rushes for this one, I’m sure they had no doubt as to his ability.

In that regard, PILGRIMAGE is worth seeing, but it’s also a mistake to see this as a straight-up actioner, which is what the posters and trailers are marketing it as. It’s artier, or more serious fare than that, with much dialogue, and the big conflict being spiritual rather than physical, when they run awry of Richard Armitage’s French knight, and his troop, who want the relic (which is little more than a rock) for their own end.

The performances are good, and director Brendan Muldowney stretches his modest budget, with an appropriately gritty look that feels authentic. However, PILGRIMAGE is a tad dull, and you’ll yearn for a little more swordplay – which only comes every now and then. Most of the action is courtesy of Bernthal, who, when then trouble starts, chucks his shirt to reveals a muscular, scarred torso, and some fancy sword moves. His fights are brutal, almost shockingly so, with some major gore moments sprinkled-in that are so hardcore they also seem satiric – like MONTY PYTHON & THE HOLY GRAIL.

These quick, brutal bits are they only signs of levity in what’s otherwise a dark, dour, serious film, and will probably only play to a modest audience – explaining why – despite the actors – it’s getting such a low-key release. It’s not a bad film, but it’s more of an acquired taste, and a little too low-key to really work on an epic scale. Movies like this demand a lot of style, but Muldowney, who takes the material seriously, shoots this in a very straightforward way. A little more flash would have made this go down a little easier.

Movie review - The Beguiled: a film that lingers and that is always good

July 17 2017 2:30 AM

[...]

Pilgrimage

Cert: 18; Now showing

It's a little known fact but Spider-Man can speak Irish. So far it's only confirmed for the most recent Spider-Man, Tom Holland, who gives evidence of this skill in Pilgrimage, an unrelentingly, unapologetically dark religious road movie set in Ireland in the 13th century. It's a brave, well-cast, violent film about power and religion and the justifications made for them.

In 1209 Brother Geraldus (Stanley Weber) arrives at a remote Irish monastery home to The Relic, a rock used in the stoning of a Catholic martyr. He wants this stone delivered to Rome and enlists some of the monks to help him on his holy road trip. Brothers Ciaran (John Lynch), Cathal (Hugh O'Conor), Rua (Ruaidhri Conroy) and The Novice, Diarmuid (Holland) who has a special bond with The Mute (Jon Bernthal) a foreigner loyal and silent since being found adrift in a currach. It is, however, a perilous journey between threats from Ireland's tribes and the Norman invaders whose leader (Richard Armitage) would quite like The Relic for his own purposes.

The film is written by Jamie Harrigan and directed by Brendan Muldowney who are uncompromising in their vision. The weather is grey, the forests gloomy and menacing, the violence raw. They raise comparisons between superstition and religion, zeal and power tripping, all through Irish, English and French. The casting is excellent which mostly makes up for a story that feels a little thin. ★★★ Aine O'Connor

Film Review/Film: 24 Jul 2017
Roe McDermott
Film Review: Pilgrimage

Excessive violence proves numbing in lacklustre Irish film about faith.

Set in Ireland in 1209, Brendan Muldowney’s violent crusade film follows a small group of monks travelling across the country, which is torn between centuries of tribal warfare and the growing power of Norman invaders. Asked to escort their monastery’s holiest relic to Rome, the monks soon come under attack by various groups who want to steal the relic and its bejewelled case.

Cinematographer Tom Comerford captures the misty, mossy mysticism of the Irish landscape, and the presence of the robed monks and their crosses amongst symbol-etched trees evokes Ireland’s mix of religion and folklore.

This blend of faith and mystery also applies to the characters, who include Tom Holland’s Novice, all fresh-faced naiveté in the face of the monks’ militaristic and politically minded attackers. Jon Bernthal plays a mute who accompanies the monks, whose violent past emerges as he strives to protect the Brothers.

Sadly, the complexity posed by this premise and setting is not realised in Pilgrimage’s execution, which sacrifices subtlety and development in favour of relentless graphic violence. As swords and axes slice through heads and torsos and carcasses are nailed to trees, the gravity is occasionally punctured by dodgy effects or unintentionally comic death-faces. Excessive but too serious to be pulpy, the onslaught is numbing rather than exciting.

Also muddled is Pilgrimage’s approach to language, as the characters speak a mix of Irish, English, French and Italian to indicate the disparate political and national tribes. It’s an interesting exercise, though the use of English remains inconsistent and the international actors’ butcher the Irish pronunciation until its sounds Elvish.

A bold but flawed exploration of faith and loyalty.

Sunday, August 13, 2017
"Pilgrimage" Review by Tim Hellman


'PILGRIMAGE': Four and a Half Stars (Out of Five)

An Irish medieval thriller starring Tom Holland (now of 'SPIDER-MAN' fame) and Jon Bernthal (of TV's 'THE PUNISHER' fame, and 'THE WALKING DEAD'). It tells the story of a group of Irish monks (in 1209 Ireland) transporting a holy relic to Rome. When they realize just how important the relic is, their journey becomes much more dangerous. The movie costars Richard Armitage, Stanley Weber, John Lynch and Eric Godon. It was directed by Brendan Muldowney, and it was written by Jamie Hannigan. It's received mostly positive reviews from critics, and it's being released on VOD and at the Box Office (in limited indie theaters) this weekend. I really enjoyed it.

The story is set in 1209 Ireland, a time when tribal wars were extreme and Norman invaders were becoming more dominant. A group of monks are tasked with delivering their holiest relic to Rome. They're lead by a young Novice (Holland), and a mute lay-brother (Bernthal) with a mysterious and violent past. As the monks realize how valuable and significant the relic is (to others as well), their journey becomes much more dangerous (and quite bloody). Disputes between the monks themselves also become a serious problem.

The film is pretty well made, acted and it's quite involving. It's pretty dark, and it's also surprisingly graphically violent! It has some pretty good commentary to deliver on religious beliefs too, and the horrific power many people give them. It also has three good performances from Holland, Bernthal and Armitage. Holland actually reminds me a lot of Frodo in the film, he looks a lot like him and there's even a lot of parallels between the two roles (and the movies even). Armitage is a great villain too, but the coolest part of the film has got be Bernthal as the badass mentally unstable antihero. I had a lot of fun watching him dominate his action scenes. It's an entertaining movie for sure.

August 22, 2017August 22, 2017
PILGRIMAGE: A Menagerie Of Metaphor
by Amyana Bartley


“Put anything in a pretty box and people will accept it.” Spoken by arch villain Raymond De Merville (Richard Armitage) and, one of several, skillfully written, woven-in gems from the new, superbly made, film Pilgrimage.

It’s All Around You

Pilgrimage follows a group of monks, carrying a priceless, Christian relic to the Pope in Rome. It is a majestically filmed conglomeration of absorbing images, recalling, for me, 1986’s DeNiro/Irons classic The Mission. For the first time in a very long time, I found myself literally immersed into the world of the film, and I didn’t even see it on the big screen. For Pilgrimage, that is 13th Century Ireland.

Tom Holland plays young Brother Diarmuid, the veritable Frodo Baggins to this Fellowship. He, some fellow friars and a brutish Mute (Jon Bernthal) are commissioned to bring/protect the stone, that killed an ancient, holy martyr, to Rome. As with anything humans deem as a mode to power and glory, the monks find themselves entangled between warring tribes, set upon nabbing the Relic for themselves.


Re-positioning the usual spotlight from Marvel’s new golden boys, I’d like to focus on a truly stand out performance. Richard Armitage, known mostly to American audiences for his role as Thorin Oakenshield in Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit trilogy, brings his most accomplished, focused performance to date. With a quiet, yet domineering presence, he delivers a villain of poise and elegance. From the first moment De Merville is revealed, you know you’re in for a dastardly treat. Armitage contributes a character of simmering rage, refined beauty and caustic color to an otherwise anemic, feral cast of players.

His commitment to this role is unwavering and more confident than I’ve seen in any of his former work. He seems to have shed the hesitancy that’s plagued him in many past roles and traded it for the calm certainty that is earned only after a lifetime of struggle; when one truly comes into their own. Throw in the fact that he speaks a hefty heap of French in this, while naturally English, and that makes his focus even more impressive. Unlike many in the industry, Armitage doesn’t descend from film royalty. His slow rise has been from pure persistence and hard work. In this role, he’s found his acting chops, and it definitely deserves more positive attention.

The remarkable John Lynch plays Brother Ciaran, a wise herbalist and mentor to young Diarmuid. In this short, but exceptionally played role, he and Armitage deliver a powerfully disturbing, scene of torture. Lynch‘s cries of agony are among the most authentic I’ve ever seen performed.

Bottom Line?

Many a critic out there is complaining about the “gratuitous violence” in Pilgrimage. Clearly they haven’t seen the harrowing The Stoning of Soraya M. Now that was insanely disturbing violence that I couldn’t watch, but stoning isn’t meant to be pretty. However, this is the 13th Century. There were no police. It was literally live or die and the violence here is more than appropriate. I even appreciated director Brendan Muldowney‘s choice, in showing how it takes more than one swipe of a sword to sever a limb.

Pilgrimage isn’t without flaws, but I think its critics are missing a lot. Anyone who knows me, knows I only give credit where credit is due. Muldowney and cinematographer Tom Comerford , bring exceptional beauty to a brutal time that I’m thrilled I never had to live in. Jamie Hannigan‘s script is rife with metaphors that connect the Dark Ages with contemporary human repetitions. Religion was their “thing” of high value back then, because it was the only light to be had in a brutal world.

In retrospect, we could mock their lack of knowledge, but are we so advanced? We still humiliate and kill in our obsession for money and power; we worship flawed humans beings just because they’re famous and support people who treat each other terribly in the name of “Reality TV”. With all of the white supremacy rearing its ugly head in HD today, we have NO room to make a moral argument of the actions of Medieval people. The fact that we have advanced, scientific knowledge, hasn’t helped root out ignorance in all of its other forms.

After all, don’t we still accept everything that’s given to us in a pretty, or even not so pretty, package, as long as it serves us?

What “gems” did you find in Pilgrimage?

Pilgrimage is available on Amazon video, Itunes video and other On Demand platforms.

Pilgrimage” A Trek Into Hell
JOHN DELIA
9 OCT 2017

Here’s one of those movie gems that probably got shuffled out of theaters because a blockbuster film release needed the screens on which it was playing. I’m not sure of its distribution, but if you missed it in theaters, here’s your chance to catch a very good production on Blu-ray or DVD. The high energy action film takes you back to 1200’s Europe and features a dark time in Ireland.

Opening scene: CAPPADOCIA 55AD: A Christian gets stoned to death by a mob on a cliff side beach in remote Ireland.



The movie Jumps to 1209 AD where Christianity now dominates Europe. “On faith alone, crusades are launched to recapture Jerusalem. In Ireland, far from the Holy Land, Norman invaders that owe their loyalty to King John of England, struggle to conquer the island causing havoc for countrymen.”


On a pilgrimage for Pope Innocent III, Brother Geraldus (Stanley Weber) approaches a remote area of the Gaelic territory. There, in a small unobtrusive monastery hides a relic from 55 AD that has been known to have special powers. He approaches the monastery’s Abbott (Donncha Crowley) with an edict from the Pope requesting the relic. The Abbott hands the relic over to Brother Geraldus and commands Brothers Cliaran (John Lynch), Cathal (Hugh O’Connor), Rua (Rualdhri Conroy) and Diarmuid (Tom Holland) to accompany the brother to the relic’s final destination.

So begins a trek shrouded by treachery, savage violence, debauchery and supreme power. Director Brendan Muldowney moves his film along at a fast pace introducing his characters. Then takes them into lands under attack by waring territory owners and a malevolent land baron. It gets very exciting and fierce at times letting up only to move into another situation of even more violence.


He captures the feel of the Irish mountains, lakes, bogs and forests with visionary camerawork. His talent really lies in the sets and scenes for the story in which it gets played out, and that’s a good thing. As the danger gets imminent, his characters react to their ominous surroundings and adversaries. His choreographer does a splendid job of depicting the battles in the woods and bogs covering the actors with mud and blood.

Of course like any well directed film, the cast has to be on their mark. Lead stars Tom Holland as the young novice brother Diarmuid, Stanley Weber as the determined Cistercian monk Geraldus, and Richard Armitage as the treacherous Raymond De Merville are right on point. It’s a lot of good talent and it shows on the screen.



Holland (Spider-Man: Homecoming) takes on the role of the fledgling monk who will do anything to save the holy relic from getting into the wrong hands. He’s quick to help members of the pilgrimage, but not before guarding the holy piece in the face of possible harm. A very cool role that takes Holland out of his normal element and he nails it.

Most know Richard Armitage for his work in The Hobbit as Thorin Okenshield the leader and exiled king of the dwarf nation. I’m a big fan of The Hobbit series and especially his role in making it a memorable adventure. Here he does a fine job of creating Raymond De Merville who’s initially respected by the pilgrims. Then as the trip continues through the wooded mountains he starts to show his true colors. His ability to swing a sword ads realism in the war scenes showing abilities probably learned as the Dwarf King.


As the unwavering monk Geraldus, Stanley Weber does a fine job of characterizing a man who’s obsessed with the assignment he’s been given by the Pope. When he realizes that his job has become an almost impossible mission, he starts to unravel. It’s not until Diarmuid brings him back to his senses that he gets back to the task at hand.

BONUS FEATURES:

“The Making of Pilgrimage” Director Brendan Muldowney, writer Jamie Hannigan and stars Tom Holland, Richard Armitage, and John Lynch.

“The Dance of War: The Fight Choreography of Pilgrimage”

“Building an Army: The Visual & Make-up Effects of Pilgrimage”

“Sounds of the Past: The Languages & Music of Pilgrimage”

“Setting the Scene: The Locations of Pilgrimage”

Blu-ray Review: “Pilgrimage” Shows A Harsh & Brutal Ireland
Posted by James McDonald


In 13th century Ireland, a group of monks must escort a sacred relic across an Irish landscape fraught with peril.

“Pilgrimage” takes place in Ireland in the year 1209 and it’s amazing that many of the locations where the movie was shot are probably in the same state they were back then. Ireland is where I was born, Dublin to be precise and while much of Ireland is absolutely stunning, parts of the country are devastatingly barren and desolate. The producers of “Pilgrimage” chose to take advantage of these locations and in doing so, have given their film a more realistic and authentic feel for what life must have been like back then.

The movie begins in Cappadocia in the year 55 AD. Saint Matthias, the apostle chosen as the replacement for Judas Iscariot following his betrayal of Jesus, is stoned to death by the very pagans he tried to preach to. With his dying breath, he cried out for mercy and the large stone that took his life immediately caught fire and hell opened up and swallowed the perpetrators whole. Matthias’ body was then elevated to heaven. The film then moves forward in time to the year 1209 on the west coast of Ireland. There, a small monastery of monks house the sacred stone, which, over the years, has become a sacred relic within the church. At the request of Pope Innocent III, a Cistercian, Brother Geraldus (Stanley Weber), is dispatched to Ireland to retrieve the stone, and bring it back to Rome.

Once he reaches the monastery, however, and informs them of the Pope’s request, their leader, Brother Ciarán (John Lynch), notifies him that he and a small band of monks will accompany him on his quest. As they start out on their pilgrimage to Rome, they must journey through areas that are fraught with ancient superstitions and battle unseen enemies. With the loss of life becoming more and more prevalent as their odyssey advances, they quickly surmise that not all of their enemies are from far-off places, but rather, from within their own group. As their numbers dwindle, and their enemies move closer, Brother Diarmuid (Tom Holland), a pious young novice, makes a decision that will change his life forever.



The film also boasts some terrific supporting Irish actors in John Lynch, Rúaidhrí Conroy, and Hugh O’Conor. Watching the monks onscreen walking around in their Medieval cloaks, which couldn’t have been much warmer than a regular blanket, in pouring rain and trekking through freezing cold rivers, made me very grateful that I was not in their place. Granted, having grown up in Ireland I’m only too aware of the cold weather that can plague the country, especially during the Winter months but the movie generates genuine Irish living conditions that dominated the island during that timeframe.

By the time the final credits began to roll, I found I had just gotten into the film. Watching these characters having to survive not just frigid weather conditions, harsh landscapes, and the blades and arrows of approaching enemies, compelled me to invest even more in them and with a running time of only 96 minutes, I could have watched several more hours and even that probably would not have been enough. Kudos to director Brendan Muldowney for delivering a rousing, nuanced tale filled with superior performances and exquisite photography.

Available on Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack & DVD Tuesday, October 10th

WALK this Way
Pilgrimage tackles faith and fury
Posted Wednesday, January 24, 2018 10:29 am

story by PAT McLEOD

He may have been killed off at the conclusion of the second season of The Walking Dead, but Jon Bernthal is thriving quite well on his own now, thank you. In Marvel’s Netflix universe, he made an impressive debut as The Punisher in the second installment of Daredevil, moving up to The Punisher, his own series, in December.

On the big screen, he had strong supporting roles in The Accountant, Wind River and Baby Driver, all good action thrillers in which he played a badass. In the new Irish film Pilgrimage (2017), he again plays a tough guy in what may be his most close-mouthed role. He has only one four-letter word of dialogue.

Though Bernthal is the film’s central action hero, he’s not really top-billed. That honor (more surprises) goes to Tom Holland, Marvel Universe’s new Spider-Man. Both he and Bernthal, with a good supporting cast and spectacular cinematography, do well in a landscape very different from that of vengeance-driven superheroes.

Written by Jamie Hannigan and directed by Brian Muldowney, Pilgrimage opens with a short wordless prologue set in Cappadocia in 55 A.D. His hands bound with rope, a middle-aged man with an early Christian symbol hung around his neck is pulled over a barren landscape and summarily stoned to death. The stoners’ leader, hoisting a large rock above his head to administer the last blow, pauses briefly to look at the threatening heavens above him before casting the final stone.

Abruptly leaping more than a millennium forward, the setting moves to Ireland, 1209 A.D., and we get a short history lesson in another prologue. “Christianity now dominates Europe. On faith alone, Crusades are launched to recapture struggle to conquer the island. Deep in native Gaelic territory, a remote monastery shelters an ancient relic.”

Holland plays Brother Diarmuid, a young novice attached to a monastery near the Western Irish coast. The monks have been entrusted to preserve a treasured relic of St. Matthias, the martyr and apostle whose death opened the film. Enclosed in an ornate box and treated with the greatest reverence is the same large stone which had crushed the saint’s skull.

From the outside world, on a direct mission from the Pope, comes Brother Geraldus (Stanley Weber). His orders are to bring the relic back to Rome and invoke its powers against the Saracens in the Crusaders’ efforts to retake Jerusalem. Legend has it God struck Matthias’ murderers dead by lightning, and it’s believed that the rock (like the Ark of the Covenant in Raiders of the Lost Ark) holds deep mystical forces for smiting heathens.

Submitting reluctantly to the Papal decree, the abbot sends Diarmuid and a couple of other monks, including a formidable outsider known only as “The Mute” (Bernthal), to guard the relic on its pilgrimage. Joined by a contingent of Norman knights led by Sir Raymond de Merville (Richard Armitage), the band of pilgrims is attacked by tribal marauders who, it turns out, are minions of treacherous Sir Raymond, who has his own reasons to keep the stone.

The pilgrimage devolves into a race for survival as Diarmuid, The Mute and the near fanatical Geraldus flee Sir Raymond and his evildoers. Along the way, Diarmuid’s faith about the “relic” is severely tested as the toll on human life increases exponentially. The mysterious Mute, though, stays true to his cause, defending the young man and his precious charge at any cost.

The movie is striking—cinematographer Tom Comerford shot coastal scenes in Connemara and forest sequences in Belgium’s Ardennes forest. Steven McKeon’s score reinforces the striking visuals. Intelligent and exciting, Pilgrimage includes several action sequences unflinching in realism and savagery. Sir Raymond (a consummate villain) employs an instrument of torture picked up on his time in the Crusades that’s literally gut-wrenching. Think Braveheart on a smaller scale, and Pilgrimage should meet your expectations.

It’s one of those rare films where beauty and violence hum in tandem: a work of art and entertainment.