Medieval

Set in the late 1300s during the reign of Wenceslaus IV, a period of political fragmentation in Bohemia within the Holy Roman Empire. The era pits rival nobles, kings, and evolving religious factions against each other, setting the stage for upheaval that would echo into the Hussite Wars. Court intrigue, coronation plans, and military expeditions dominate daily life in this medieval setting.

The action unfolds across 14th-century Bohemia, with Prague serving as a political hub and royal seat. The story moves from royal courts to rural Bohemian villages, thick forests, and mountainous passes, ending near the hunting castle of Wenceslas. Key events pivot around Trocnov, its siege, and the perilous journeys of Katherine and the mercenary band through a war-torn landscape.

⚔️ Power

Power is shown as a scarce resource that shifts with court intrigue and royal ambition. Jan Žižka navigates a landscape of betrayals, abductions, and alliances to influence who sits on the throne and who gains legitimacy. The film questions whether leadership rooted in coercion can bring lasting stability. Personal loyalties are routinely sacrificed to advance political goals.

🕊️ Freedom

Freedom is pursued by peasants and rebels who resist the control of a centralized monarchy and mercenary forces. Žižka unites diverse fighters into a coherent resistance, giving ordinary people a voice in a turbulent era. The narrative emphasizes sacrifices made for a larger cause, often at great personal cost. The ending hints at a broader struggle for autonomy in Bohemia.

🛡️ Strategy

Strategy drives the conflict, with Žižka employing tactical gambits, ambushes, and the use of wagon fort defenses to offset superior numbers. The mercenary band and their enemies demonstrate how planning and deception can decide battles as much as brute force. Key confrontations occur at churches, mountain passes, and castles, showcasing battlefield improvisation. The climactic clash underscores how excellence in strategy can shape a nation's fate.