10 Movies & Shows Like The Rising Hawk

Description: Iconic historical epic featuring large-scale battles, a charismatic leader fighting for freedom, and a stirring portrayal of medieval warfare and political struggle.

Fact: The battle scenes were filmed with hundreds of extras over several weeks in Ireland. The film's success helped revive interest in historical epics during the 1990s.

Description: Blends historical elements with adventure and fantasy, focusing on a group of warriors facing supernatural threats, with strong themes of cultural exchange and survival against overwhelming odds.

Fact: The film is based on Michael Crichton's novel 'Eaters of the Dead', which itself was inspired by the Old English poem 'Beowulf'. Production was troubled, with extensive reshoots and a delayed release.

Description: Epic historical drama centered around the Crusades, featuring grand battles, religious conflict, and a protagonist caught between warring factions in a struggle for survival and honor.

Fact: The director's cut of the film is significantly different from the theatrical version, adding nearly an hour of footage. Many scenes were shot in Morocco and Spain.

Description: A sweeping historical epic about a Swedish knight's journey through the Crusades, featuring detailed medieval combat, religious conflict, and personal redemption arcs.

Fact: The film was shot in both Sweden and Morocco, with a budget that made it one of the most expensive Swedish productions at the time. It's based on a trilogy of novels by Jan Guillou.

Description: A gritty reimagining of the classic legend, focusing on the historical context of the Crusades and featuring elaborate medieval combat sequences and political intrigue.

Fact: Ridley Scott's version was originally conceived as a prequel titled 'Nottingham', with a very different storyline. The production built an entire medieval village in England for filming.

Description: A survival story set in ancient Britain, following Roman soldiers as they evade Pictish warriors, featuring intense action sequences and a harsh, unforgiving landscape.

Fact: The film was shot in the Scottish Highlands during winter to capture the bleak atmosphere. Director Neil Marshall used mostly practical effects for the battle scenes.

Description: Explores themes of honor and redemption through the journey of a Roman officer and his slave in hostile territory, with a focus on cultural clashes and personal growth.

Fact: Based on Rosemary Sutcliff's novel 'The Eagle of the Ninth'. The production used authentic locations in Scotland and Hungary to represent ancient Britain.

Description: Focuses on a small group of warriors defending a castle against overwhelming forces, with brutal, realistic medieval combat and themes of loyalty and sacrifice.

Fact: The film is based on the real-life siege of Rochester Castle in 121Many of the fight scenes were choreographed by the same team that worked on 'Gladiator'.

Description: A gritty portrayal of Norse warriors and their raids, featuring intense battle scenes, exploration of Viking culture, and complex character arcs set against a historical backdrop.

Fact: The show's creator, Michael Hirst, also wrote the screenplay for the 1998 film 'Elizabeth'. Many of the outdoor scenes were filmed in Ireland.

Description: This series shares a focus on medieval warfare, political intrigue, and the clash of cultures, with a strong emphasis on historical authenticity and character-driven storytelling.

Fact: The series is based on Bernard Cornwell's 'The Saxon Stories' novels. It was initially produced by BBC America before being picked up by Netflix for subsequent seasons.