Brancaleone at the Crusades

A stubborn, good-humored knight-errant whose bravado masks his insecurity. He chases redemption after his band is nearly destroyed and defends the infant entrusted to him. Throughout the journey, he navigates a string of grotesque episodes that parody medieval stereotypes while clinging to a core of knightly honor.

A young witch saved from the stake, Tiburzia combines cunning with charm and a growing affection for Brancaleone. She reveals magical abilities and a sharp wit, challenging superstition with pragmatism. Her love ultimately drives key choices and a self-sacrificial act.

The mad monk who accompanies Brancaleone on his quest, bringing zeal and chaotic humor. His presence accelerates the troupe into a series of farcical tests of faith and loyalty. He is ultimately killed along with many of the knights in the ensuing chaos.

Bohemond of Taranto, the military father of the infant Brancaleone delivers to safety. He embodies the military leadership of the Crusades, yet remains a target of suspicion when the child's lineage is in question. His decisions propel the journey toward the Holy Land.

The former leper who is revealed to be a princess in disguise, traveling in relative safety. Her true identity adds a layer of disguise and surprise to the journey. She becomes part of the shifting mix of royal and noble representations encountered along the way.

An assassin whose presence introduces a perilous thread to Brancaleone's mission. His antics punctuate the narrative with dark humor and threaten the infant's safety. He serves as a foil to Brancaleone's earnest but flawed heroism.

A representative of religious power who embodies the period's conflict between church authority and secular legitimacy. His scenes highlight the satire of ecclesiastical politics that runs through the film. He interacts with Brancaleone during key twists in the journey.

Papal authority figures appear in the film, including Gregory VII who contends with the anti-pope. His presence frames the comedy as a playful peek into medieval church politics. The interactions with Brancaleone punctuate the satirical lens on authority.