Barbarossa

Barbarossa

Year: 2009

Runtime: 139 mins

Language: English

Director: Renzo Martinelli

DramaHistory

In 1100 Italy, the German emperor Frederick Barbarossa rules the northern territories and dreams of extending his power southward to recreate Charlemagne’s empire. Opposing him, Milanese youth leader Alberto da Giussano gathers a “Company of Death” of 900 men from across the north, vowing to drive out the emperor and restore freedom to their lands.

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Timeline & Setting – Barbarossa (2009)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Barbarossa (2009). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

12th century AD

The era centers on Frederick Barbarossa's campaigns to subdue northern Italy and the rise of the Lombard League. Cities tighten their alliances to defend Milan against imperial sieges, using sieges and battlefield tactics typical of the period. Political intrigue and plague shadows shape decisions at court and on the field.

Location

Milan, Lodi, Verona, Legnano, Lombardy, Northern Italy

Set across 12th-century Lombardy, the film follows Milan and its neighbors as they resist imperial expansion. The action moves from Milan's fortified walls to river crossings near the Adige and to Legnano's plains, reflecting the era's siege warfare. The landscape of Northern Italy frames a conflict between a centralized empire and local city-states seeking freedom.

🏰 Medieval 🗺️ Historical ⚔️ War-torn

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:37

Main Characters – Barbarossa (2009)

Meet the key characters of Barbarossa (2009), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Alberto da Giussano - Raz Degan

Milano-born leader who forms the 'Company of Death' to defend Lombardy. He grows into a unifying figure for the Lombard cities and is bold in battle, navigating political intrigue as he fights for freedom. His personal vendetta fades into a broader mission to secure autonomy for northern Italy.

⚔️ Warrior 🛡️ Leader 🇮🇹 Lombard Patriot

Eleonora - Kasia Smutniak

Alberto's sister, a strong-willed and loyal ally who stands by the demand to defend Milan. She experiences visions linked to Alberto's knife and resists Barozzi's cynical schemes. Throughout the siege and political turmoil, she embodies resilience and personal sacrifice.

💪 Strong-willed 🧭 Intuitive ❤️ Loyal

Tessa - Federica Martinelli

Tessa is Alberto's beloved and a symbol of hope for Lombardy. She navigates the dangers of Barozzi's arrangements and ultimately dies to avoid a forced marriage, becoming a powerful motivator for the resistance. Her memory reinforces the resolve of Milan's allies to stand together.

💔 Tragic 💞 Romantic 🕊️ Sacrificial

Siniscalco Barozzi - F. Murray Abraham

A scheming Milanese noble who uses manipulation and betrayal to advance his own interests. He pressures Milan to pledge loyalty to Barbarossa and murders Alberto's brother Ranero to weaken the resistance. His schemes are ultimately exposed by Alberto and the Lombards.

🗡️ Villain 🧠 Schemer 💔 Betrayal

Frederick I Barbarossa - Rutger Hauer

The Holy Roman Emperor who seeks to subdue northern Italy and reassert imperial authority. His campaigns set the tempo of the conflict, tempered by political marriages, plague, and strategic retreats. He is a powerful, calculating ruler who ultimately meets a fateful end.

🏰 Ruler ⚔️ Warleader 🌀 Fate

Rinaldo di Dassel - Hristo Shopov

A German envoy acting as an intermediary between Barozzi and Barbarossa. He relays orders and negotiates loyalties, embodying imperial authority and the political pressure behind the siege.

💼 Diplomat 🧭 Strategist

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:37

Major Themes – Barbarossa (2009)

Explore the central themes of Barbarossa (2009), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🕊️ Freedom

Freedom is the thread driving Lombardy's resistance as Alberto builds the Company of Death to defend autonomy. The story emphasizes collective courage over individual glory, uniting Milan's rival cities. Personal sacrifice becomes essential to preserve regional liberty, not just a single victory.

🤝 Unity

The Lombard League's strength lies in unity, turning fragile city alliances into a formidable front against Barbarossa. Alberto's leadership is tested by Barozzi's manipulations, forcing cities to choose cooperation over rivalry. The film portrays unity as both a strategic necessity and a moral ideal.

🛡️ Resistance

Stone walls, siege engines, and courageous counterattacks symbolize Lombard resistance. The people endure losses, fear, and plague to defend their homes. The film presents resistance as both a practical and ideological stance against imperial overreach.

💔 Cost of War

Personal losses—Tessa's death, Ranero's murder, and Barozzi's scheming—show war's emotional toll. The narrative links these tragedies to the broader struggle for freedom, showing that victory comes at a heavy price. The characters' sacrifices underscore the human cost behind historical legends.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:37

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Barbarossa Summary

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