Frank,
Interesting question, one I'll try to elaborate on if I can, as I have to type quick (shoddy internet connection).
The introduction of Christianity in the film has to do with the idea of two competing ideologies in the world, particularly during the supposed era that this story is based during. (Also, unless I am mistaken I think the setting of the film is also fictional, but I can't be one-hundred percent sure.)
Although the story in this film is a work of fiction, it uses a realistic backdrop of Europe during the Dark Ages.
Within the story, Christianity is setup as an opposing viewpoint to the paganistic world view of Ulrich and Galen. Thus as belief in the one God takes root in the heart of the populace, so do the people divorce themselves from the belief in the magical. Thus, as one character suggests in the film, that the only good thing about the death of magic, will be that it too will lead to the death of the dragon.
This theme, the competition between Christianity and Paganism, is also seen in another film, namely that of John Boorman's Excalibur.
Ultimately, I think it's meant to suggest that magic represents an archaic or romantic view of nature (and human being's relation to nature), and with a monotheistic religion such as Christianity taking over the world, it ushers in a era, a different way of thinking, one based on good and evil.
Moreover, and this will be my final point, that although these are works of fiction, they are in many ways true to what actually occurred during the Dark Ages. Christianity was still a very young religion in Europe after the fall of the Roman Empire, which still had not taken hold in many parts of Europe. In fact much of the early history of Christianity was in trying to lure many away from pagan beliefs, particularly in Germany and other parts of Europe.
Hope this clears things up for you.
Cheers,
Michael
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Dances_with_Weasels
17 years ago
A very late reply, but I just wanted to say "Great post", Michael!
The idea that dragons and magic are the 'old ways' and are dying out really adds a lot of richness to the story for me.
Are you going to pull those pistols or whistle "Dixie"?
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eph_oph
16 years ago
I always liked how at the end, the death of the dragon is credited to God by the priest to his followers. Christianity...can't argue with it, it has an answer for everything.
"Order has been restored, for I have passed judgement."
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TheSolarSailor
15 years ago
I always liked how at the end, the death of the dragon is credited to God by the priest to his followers. Christianity...can't argue with it, it has an answer for everything. >>> Yes, I thought that was very typical of Christianity...the need to step in after doing nothing and to lay claim to the positive outcome. That is what the religion is about, offering up answers that fit the reality no matter what the reality is. It goes along that same mindset of how when the 50/50 chance of something happening in your favor occurs, then it is a blessing from god. When the 50/50 chance of something happening not in your favor, then it is a test from god. Either way, it bends over backwards to paint it's god in a good light and to influence it's followers that it's god is actually real, though the god never participated in the event at all. Weak-minded? You bet!
- - - - - - -
Whose idea was it for the word "Lisp" to have an "S" in it?
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averagejoeman2013
13 years ago
Great, Anti-religious bigotry is alive and well (sigh). Of course, the poster has admitted his defect is a strong influence so there you go.
Edit:
"It's not bigotry if it's based on a rational consideration of one's experience. Bigotry involves irrational judgments based on pre-conceived ideas."
Yes, even a rational consideration can be bigoted. Assume a person went through a neighborhood and suffered a serious of negative experiences and through a period of time, came to the recognition that people of that demographic were more prone to those actions. Realistically, this is false but a person's experiences can lead them astray every bit as much as a false pre-conceived idea. Besides, the poster in question is hardly rational and its postings are indeed bigoted. And apparently more posted below. Congrats guys, you join an illustrious group of remarkable people that have stained humanity's history.
"Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind." - Albert Einstein
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ionian
16 years ago
Sorry that it took so long for me to reply! But thanks so much for clearing things up. In fact, thanks for mentioning Excalibur. Now I completely understand what Merlin was talking about when he said, "The one god comes to drive out the many" and later told Arthur, "It's time for men and their ways".
Thanks for taking the time to give your informative reply Michael.
Frank
"...For every man who has ever lived, in this universe, there shines a star."
-Arthur C. Clarke
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ContinentalOp
16 years ago
Indeed. Good replies in this thread. I have always imagined this kingdom (Urland) as some sort of Germanic petty kingdom in England or Germany or somewhere like that. It is quite accurate (with some poetic license) to the early medieval period (incorrectly called ''Dark Ages'').
And on a related note, I find John Hallam ("Tyrian") to be perfect as Hagen/Hogni...
"Jai Guru Deva, Om"
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d112cons
14 years ago
The onset of the Christian church actually improves the film for me, because of what it means to our main characters. Urlan, Galen, and of course, Vermithrax. The age of magic and wizardry is ending, and being brushed away, and I particularly like that the church wasn't painted as either holy or contrived, but simply represented the changing tides of time. That an age was coming to an end.
It gave the film an immediate sense of melancholy and regret that the age of magic was fading before our eyes. I love that the film was able to capture that sense of the end of an age. Given the era in which the film takes place, it would only make sense that the church was the next wave. We, the viewers, were given a final glimpse of that era just as it began its final metaphorical ride off into the sunset. On a conjured horse, nonetheless.
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