These are important moments for high-ambition, high-budget fantasy. The funny thing is that this is not filling the big screens of movie theaters, but is now dominating the screens of televisions in serial format. From ‘Sandman’ to ‘House of the Dragon’ trying to show that too there is room for this fantasy on the small screen.
Although the most ambitious is, without a doubt, ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’, with one of the most astronomical investments ever seen in a series to try to dominate (dominate) them all. Although these examples are the culmination of great previous fantastic efforts worth retrieving and that, luckily, we also have available in streaming.
‘Merlin’ (2008 – 2012)
creators: Julian Jones, Jake Michie, Johnny Capps, Julian Murphy. Distribution: Colin Morgan, Bradley James, Anthony Head, Katie McGrath, Richard Wilson.
Before the great investments of the streaming platforms, there were public televisions trying to take risks in unknown territory. The BBC had its grand attempt to create an adventurous fantasy with a medieval setting taking advantage of the Arthurian myths.
Here they focus on the stories of the young wizard Merlin coming of age, meeting the future King Arthur, and experiencing epic deeds throughout Camelot. A great fiction that has been gaining cult over time.
Watch on Netflix | Criticism in Espinof
‘Game of Thrones’ (2011 – 2019)
creators: David Benioff, DB Weiss. Distribution: Emilia Clarke, Kit Harington, Lena Headey, Peter Dinklage, Maisie Williams, Sophie Turner.
Yes, I know that there is not too much risk in recommending one of the most watched series in history. However, surely someone remains who has decided to deprive himself of the joy of brutal medieval fantasy adapting the novels of GRR Martin (the ones that are published at least), so here it goes.
Furthermore, the relationship between Martin’s work and Tolkien’s has always been intimate, and not as antagonistic as many would have us believe. The biggest difference is how the play based on ‘A Song of Ice and Fire’ explore more moral chiaroscuro and complex characters than Tolkien’s classic tale of good versus evil. In any case, it can be complemented by following ‘The Rings of Power’ and putting on this and its worthy successor ‘The House of the Dragon’.
Watch on HBO Max | All the seasons of ‘Game of Thrones’, ordered from worst to best
‘The Witcher’ (2019 – Present)
creator: Lauren Schmidt. Distribution: Henry Cavill, Freya Allan, Millie Brady, MyAnna Buring, Anya Chalotra
Also very epic and fanciful, as well as with a medieval setting, is this adaptation of Andrzej Sapkowski’s work. However, ‘The Witcher’ seems to want to replicate more the wild and trotting adventure of entertaining series from the past, such as ‘Xena, the warrior princess’, and that gives it a very grateful differential factor.
Although it begins by wanting to claim complex ambitions in its structure, it turns out most effective when embracing the adventurous tone and decides to relate with care the relationships between his characters, very well drawn and interesting. Henry Cavill also manages to be very proud in his role as Geralt of Rivia, which was not really easy but he managed to clear up any doubts.
Watch on Netflix | Criticism in Espinof