The War Lord

An interesting attempt to break away from stereotype epic. Heston plays the war lord in 11th century Normandy who finds that the land he controls is steeped in primitive tradition. The rituals of pagan mythology are well observed - cabalistic idols, sacrifices - as is Heston's disintegration in the face of a mental force that he can't understand. Well put together by Schaffner (it's one of his best films, along with Planet of the Apes and Patton), and strongly photographed by Russell Metty.