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Today is another “E&E” day as we sometimes call them, and if you’re looking for something educational and/or fun to watch (or listen to) that goes along with this year’s history period, here are a few suggestions for today, or any day! (Save the movie version of our literature books till after you’ve read the books…) Some of these might appeal more to parents than kids – if you enjoy documentaries, sometimes they are just the thing to help parents get into the historical period.
Some of the videos can be found for free on Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, or YouTube, and others can be rented or purchased. You could also check our local library system.
Parents, please use your own discretion to choose appropriate and enjoyable movies for your kids. There can be a certain amount of violence and intensity to the Middle Ages, so use your own judgement. We have tried to choose appropriate titles here, but SLOCA has not previewed all the following selections, we have only compiled a list for you to explore:
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Documentaries and Short Videos:
- Pure History Features: King Arthur's Britain (2004) TV-G – Description: The myth of King Arthur represented hope during England’s dark ages—a time when the English were constantly harried by invaders. But what truth is there behind the Arthurian legend? More, what truth is there behind the dark ages themselves?
- Smithsonian’s Channel’s Mystery Files: King Arthur (2010) TV-PG – Description: Find out why historians believe that the legend of British King Arthur is based on two men: a Roman and a fighter against the Saxons.
- NOVA’s Secrets of the Viking Sword (2012) NR – If your kids are interested in swords, they might enjoy this one. Description: The most formidable Viking weapon was an Ulfberht sword. But details of their creation and their maker remained secret for more than 1,000 years.
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- Fencing with five different Medieval weapons – More with swords! Boys might especially enjoy this short You Tube video.
- Vikings: Journey to New Worlds (2004) NR – Description: They came from the North and soon the legend would say that they didn't know fear. For hundreds of years, they were another name for “terror.” They were warriors, slavers, traders, explorers but also farmers, settlers, poets, loyal family members and skilled craftsmen. Vikings tells their story.
- Castle and Cathedral by David MacCaulay – Available on YouTube (or you can purchase the dvds through Amazon). Descriptions: CASTLE combines colorful animation with live-action documentary sequences to tell the story of a 13th-century Welsh castle. Author David Macaulay, who wrote and illustrated the best-selling book of the same title, leads viewers on a castle tour, explaining its cultural and sociological significance and its architectural design. Detailed animation dramatizes the building of the castle and portrays the lifestyle of the early inhabitants. CATHEDRAL is based on another of his award-winning books. Using a combination of spectacular location sequences and cinema-quality animation, the program surveys France's most famous churches. Travel back to 1214 to explore the design of Notre Dame de Beaulieu, a representative Gothic cathedral. The program tells period tales revealing fascinating stories of life and death, faith and despair, prosperity, and intrigue.
Animated Short Videos:
- Kids Animated History with Pipo – The Byzantine Empire Part 1
- Kids Animated History with Pipo – The Byzantine Empire Part 2
- Animated Epics: Beowulf (1998) TV Movie on YouTube (This is not too graphic, but might frighten younger children – parents please preview.)
- The Middle Ages in 3 1/2 minutes on YouTube – An animated timeline from the book 'Science: a Discovery in Comics' by Margreet de Heer. This might be a fun overview at the beginning of the year, then a quick review at the end!
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NEW! Added 9/7/14:
- BBC School Radio: Viking Sagas – Description: This collection of Viking Sagas is told by Loki, Viking god of fire…and expert mischief-maker.
Movies Just for Fun:
- The Sword in the Stone (1963) G – Animated. Description: A humble young squire named Wart allies himself with the powerful magician Merlin and discovers his destiny as England's next king.
- Camelot (1999) NR – Animated. Description: Venture back through the mists of time to the glorious lost age of King Arthur, the sorcerer Merlin and the valiant Knights of the Round Table. Enter into the magical and timeless realm of Camelot.
- Quest for Camelot (1998) G – Animated. Description: A strong-willed girl sets out on a dangerous quest to retrieve King Arthur's magical sword, save Camelot, and earn her place among the Knights of the Round Table.
- The Secret of Kells (2009) TV-PG – Animated. Description: When Vikings a
ttack an Irish abbey, the young nephew of an abbott must brave an enchanted forest to complete work on a legendary book. (May be scary for younger children.)
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- Knights of the Round Table (1954) NR – You can rent this on YouTube or purchase it on Amazon. Description: The legend of King Arthur comes alive in this Oscar-nominated picture starring Ava Gardner as Lady Guinevere, Robert Taylor as Sir Lancelot and Mel Ferrer as the noble King Arthur.
- Camelot (1968) G – The three-hour musical many of you may remember. Description: A majestic romance set in the days of yore starring Richard Harris as King Arthur with Vanessa Redgrave as the beautiful Queen. Franco Nero co-stars as Lancelot, the classic knight in shining armor.
- The Princess Bride (1987) PG – Definitely a favorite family movie to watch for this time period! Description: Based on William Goldman's novel of the same name, The Princess Bride is staged as a book read by grandfather (Peter Falk) to his ill grandson (Fred Savage). Falk's character assures a romance-weary Savage that the book has much more to deliver than a simpering love story, including but not limited to fencing, fighting, torture, death, true love, giants, and pirates.
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- Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975) PG – Of course no collection of Middle Ages movies wold be complete without this classic. Here is the entire movie broken into parts on YouTube, but parents, you might want to just search for specific funny scenes you remember to show younger kids.
Audio:
- Middle Ages music on YouTube
- Librivox recording of Stories of King Arthur’s Knights Told to the Children by Mary MacGregor, and Stories of Beowulf Told to the Children by H. E. Marshall. These could be fun to supplement with after reading our assigned literature.
Books:
- For beautiful classic illustrations, one book you may want to consider purchasing used is The Boy’s King Arthur by Sidney Lanier, illustrated by N.C. Wyeth. The library’s website (blackgold.org) says they have two copies in the system. At the very least, do a google search for these illustrations and enjoy them onilne!
- For supplemental book suggestions for this year, check out our Novel Adventures list for Year 2 – Middle Ages, which you can find our our website’s parent page.
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If any of the above links do not work, please send an email to Down Home and let us know!
How about your own suggestions? Have you come across any great movies, videos, or audio links that tie in with our Trimester 1 history? Or have you seen any of the above and have thoughts to share? Tell us in the comments below.
SLO Classical Academy is not affiliated with any of the above mentioned websites or businesses.
