Highly Overrated But Still Good

I was totally surprised at how great this film.You could feel your paranoia rise as the film went on and as you gradually learned the details of the real situation.

The film makes a home in your brain and the only cure is to see it again.

Strong acting helps the film overcome an uncertain premise and create characters that hold our attention absolutely.

Well, i first saw this movie when i was an 8 years old kid, and boy, this movie really made an impression in me. I remember our TV set was an old Phillips 550, a B&W TV set, a valve model( a transistor TV set?, no... It was too expensive then). And, i could never forget it. The movie is perfect, the wardrobe, the scenery, the acting... Well, you see, they don't take their roles too seriously(except for Gassman, but, it's intentional), and this shows a face of history that, could have happened... Say... No heroism (well, a little...) and the rest, cynicism and many conflicts of interests(each one is trying to have his piece of the cake, in this case, the fortified city and it's treasures) Thank god it was released in DVD, here in my country. And here's an advice: Go get yours. You won't regret. It is an ageless movie, that is near forty now, and, does not lose it's impact.

Ok, the italian comedy of the `50s and `60s is one of the best in the world. I say this not only because I am italian but because it`s true. Just rent or buy the movies of directors such as Pietro Germi, Dino Risi, Steno and of course Mario Monicelli. L`Armata Brancaleone is one of the best comedies ever because of the script, the gags, the language (a very funny mix of ancient italian and latin, I don`t know how the translation could work) and the actors, first of all Gassman, the protagonist, that Monicelli `discovered` as a comic character in `I soliti ignoti` (before that Gassman played almost exclusively drama plays). Even the representation of the Middle Age seems to me (a non-expert in history) quite accurate: see for example the prophet who guides the people towards the Crusade (an incredible Gian Maria Volonte`). Another gem of italian comedy, a must-see for everyone.

I watched this movie as a 12 year old in Brazil, and loved it -- the "branca, branca, branca, leone, leone, leone!" stuck with me all these years... When I saw the Monty Python's Holy Grail I thought it was not as good as good old Brancaleone, but I was never able to watch it again in the US.I'm now 28 and studying medieval romance language literature and would love to watch it again. I understand that L'armata Brancaleone is loosely based on Don Quixote. Does anyone know whether the movie is available in the US?

I take the risk of annoying most people but it must be said: in order to get the full flavour of the fun in this movie you should have a really good knowledge of the Italian language, and view the film in original. It is hard even for an Italian to understand some of the dialogues, while they rapidly switch from Gassman's impeccable proto-Italian with strong Latin influences (spoken in such a serious manner as to result irresistibly comic), to Abacuc's Jewish version thereof, to the other characters' strong rural poor-man's accent.In this movie, and in the delectable sequel "Brancaleone alle Crociate", Gassman is at the top of his skill as an actor. This is somehow like acting the "Fifteen Minutes Hamlet" without even remotely smiling, but giving a serious, professional performance. Only someone who is truly great can do the buffoon like this without appearing histrionic, or ridiculous.