Films about the Great Plague often depict the devastating impact of historical pandemics on society and individuals. These films explore themes of fear, survival, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of widespread disease and death.
“Black Death”, 2010
Director: Christopher Smith
Set in 14th century England, this film follows a young monk who is sent to a remote village to investigate rumors of a necromancer who can bring the dead back to life. As he delves deeper into the village's secrets, he uncovers the horrors of the bubonic plague and the lengths to which people will go to survive.
Starring: Sean Bean, Eddie Redmayne, Carice van Houten, John Lynch, Tim McInnerny, Kimberley Nixon, Andy Nyman, David Warner, Johnny Harris, Emun Elliott, Tygo Gernandt, Jamie Ballard, Daniel Steiner, Tobias Kasimirowicz, Keith Dunphy, Marianne Graffam, Ines Marie Westernströer, Nike Martens, Peter Wolf, Alex Tondowski, Thorsten Querner, Gotthard Lange, Emily Fleischer, Martin Hentschel, Michael Knöfler, David Masterson, Toni Matsuno, Andrea Ummenberger;
Production year: 2010;
Genre: detective, thriller, drama, adventure;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 98 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,4;
More information about the film “Black Death” on the website imdb.com
“The Masque of the Red Death”, 1964
Director: Roger Corman
Based on the Edgar Allan Poe story, this film takes place in a medieval kingdom ravaged by the Red Death, a deadly plague. The decadent and cruel Prince Prospero holds a masquerade ball in his castle, but the revelry is overshadowed by the terror of the plague's reach.
Starring: Vincent Price, Hazel Court, Jane Asher, David Weston, Nigel Green, Patrick Magee, Paul Whitsun-Jones, Robert Brown, Julian Burton, David Davies, Skip Martin, Gaye Brown, Verina Greenlaw, Doreen Dawn, Brian Hewlett, Sarah Brackett, David Allen, Dorothy Anelay, Jack Armstrong, Gerry Atkins, Jill Bathurst, Julian Bolt, Norris Boyd, Peter Brace, Ricky Clarke, Ronnie Curran, Alan Dalton, Gladys Davison, Robert de Warren, Rosemarie Dunham, Jane Evans, Dorothy Fraser, Edith Gey, Terry Gilbert, Sally Gilpin, Bertie Green, Harvey Hall, Janet Hall, Janet Kedge, Brigitte Kelly-Espinoza, Joanna Kubik, Seraphina Lansdown, Gale Law, Delia Linden, Jean Lodge, Tony Manning, Len Martin, Norman McDowell, Stanley Meadows, Hugh Morton;
Production year: 1964;
Genre: horror, thriller;
Age: 18+;
Duration: 89 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,9;
More information about the film “The Masque of the Red Death” on the website imdb.com
“The Last Man on Earth”, 2015
Director: John Solomon, Jason Woliner, David Noel, Payman Benz
In this post-apocalyptic horror film, a scientist, played by Vincent Price, becomes the last man alive in a world devastated by a global pandemic that turns its victims into vampiric creatures. As he struggles to survive, he searches for a cure to the plague that has decimated humanity.
Starring: Will Forte, Kristen Schaal, January Jones, Mel Rodriguez, Cleopatra Coleman, Mary Steenburgen, Keith L. Williams, Jason Sudeikis, Boris Kodjoe, Kenneth Choi, Kristen Wiig, Mark Boone Junior, Fred Armisen, Patti Forte, Chris Elliott, Alanna Vicente, Alexandra Daddario, Jacob Tremblay, Will Ferrell, Jon Hamm, Steven Pierce, Alma Martinez, Kyle Stivers, Jack Black, Laura Dern, Leighton Meester, Timothy V. Murphy, Frank Gallegos, Martin Short, Jack Guzman, Geoffrey Rivas, Omar Leyva, Carlos Santos, David Aguilera, George Kareman, Luis Deveze, Mauricio Mendoza, Robert Garcia, Senta Burke, Mariano «Big Dawg» Mendoza, Andrew Morgado, Kathy Nagler, Anthony L. Fernandez, Kryzzalia Lopez, Yasir Hashim Lafond, Edward James Gage;
Production year: 2015;
Genre: comedy;
Age: 18+;
Rating: IMDB: 7,4;
More information about the film “The Last Man on Earth” on the website imdb.com
“The Painted Veil”, 2006
Director: John Curran
Based on the novel by W. Somerset Maugham, this film is set in 1920s China during a cholera epidemic. It follows a young couple as they navigate their troubled relationship and personal growth amidst the backdrop of the deadly disease.
Starring: Naomi Watts, Edward Norton, Liev Schreiber, Diana Rigg, Toby Jones, Catherine An, Li Bin, Wu Bin, Alan David, Marie-Laure Descoureaux, Sally Hawkins, Juliet Howland, Lorraine Laurence, Johnny Lee, Feng Li, Gesang Meiduo, Yin Qing, Ian Rennick, Cheng Shihan, Liang Sijie, Maggie Steed, Henry Sylow, Zoe Telford, Lucy Voller, Anthony Wong, Lu Yan, Xia Yu, Ma Yun, Lin Zheng, Tian Hua Yao, Wu Di, Yue Qi Liu, Zhuo Er Li, Jia Yi Hu, Yu Tong Guo, Wei Xin Zhao, Chen Xi, Tong Xuan Shi, Yu Xin Tang, Qiao Jia Li Gao, Yu Yang Cheng, Jia Hui Guo, Yi Yuan Huang, Shu Hao Xu, Yue Fei, Ting Yu Meng, Zhu Yue Cheng, Qiao Ming Fang Gao, Ya Zuo Tan, John Cann;
Production year: 2006;
Genre: drama, melodrama;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 125 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,4;
These films offer a variety of perspectives on the Great Plague and its impact on individuals and society, providing a glimpse into the human experience during times of widespread illness and death.
In the realm of films about the great plague, we are transported to a haunting and turbulent period in history where the human spirit is tested, and the fragility of life is laid bare. These films offer a gripping exploration of the devastating impact of the plague, capturing the fear, despair, and resilience of those who lived through it. From the harrowing realism of “The Plague” to the poetic beauty of “The Seventh Seal,” each film paints a vivid portrait of a dark chapter in our collective past, reminding us of the indomitable strength of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable adversity. Through their powerful narratives and compelling storytelling, these films not only entertain, but also educate and provoke contemplation on the fragile nature of our existence.
