Not one of Charlton Heston's better efforts, this one. He's the overlord "Cyrysagon" who is sent to reimpose law and order at a remote Norman tower that is frequently being raided by the blond-haired Friesians. Together with his brother "Draco" (Guy Stockwell) and loyal henchman "Bors" (Richard Boone) they are soon embroiled in battles with their foe as well as engaged in the superstitions of the local, largely pagan, community where the lord has first "option" on any virginal newlywed. That's where "Bronwyn" (Rosemary Forsyth) comes in - much to the annoyance of her would-be husband and the local priest (Maurice Evans). When they manage to capture a young boy during a raid, they don't realise his importance - and with the Normans besieged in the tower, their only hope is that reinforcements can arrive. Either that, or the penny might drop about their feisty new young friend! It's not that it's a shocker - it isn't. It's just that nobody seems to be having a good day. Not Heston, nor Boone. Forsyth is terribly wooden and it's really only Stockwell as the increasingly unruly and jealous sibling who seems to want to present us with anyone remotely interesting. It does look good, money was clearly spent - just not on the writing or the story. Pity.
