DARK AGE is an impressively-written piece of revisionist horror that
is undeniably striking in its gory execution, but what is so truly refreshing
about the script is the way that it eschews the campier, tongue-in-cheek
cleverness of similar works (e.g. PRIDE AND PREJUDICE AND ZOMBIES) and instead
treats its "zombies-meets-Arthurian mythos" conceit with an admirable
amount of seriousness and respect. This is not a literary mash-up novelty
stretched out to a tiresome feature length. Instead, it is a fantastic,
beautifully developed piece of medieval horror that plays its zombies for
grotesquerie rather than cute laughs. The sheer amount of scares, gore, and
inventive kills is staggering and the writers show a strong affinity for this
type of insane horror. The extended, breathtaking bloodbath that is the first
act grips the reader with a fervor not often seen in modern day zombie specs,
let alone a period one, and the script deserves commendation for the way it
really explores the implications of its premise. It's clear the writers have
truly researched the minutia of the time period as well as the Arthurian legend
they seek to subvert. An intelligent, grisly read, DARK AGE shows great
promise.
“King
Arthur vs Zombies” is a fun and easy way to pitch this script and should grab a
lot of attention right off the bat. It’s not a very deep or profound take, and
may off-put purists of Arthurian legend, but for audiences seeking a simple
fantasy action horror, “Dark Age” is plenty entertaining and satisfies
expectations. DARK AGE could serve its writers well as a memorable writing
sample, as it showcases a beautiful command of the medium and enough unique
horror to make a lasting impression on readers and hopefully secure the
screenwriters the attention they deserve.