The Pillars of the Earth

Movie review by Elka Karl, Common Sense Media
The Pillars of the Earth Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 17+

Impressive medieval miniseries heaps on graphic violence.

NR 2010 421 minutes
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Parents say

age 18+

Based on 4 reviews

Kids say

age 14+

Based on 2 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that The Pillars of the Earth is a historical miniseries filled with graphic violence, including rape, murder, and torture. The series also features an incestuous sexual relationship, some sex, and partial nudity, as well as a generally dark and dreary tone.

Community Reviews

EliteMovieCritic
EliteMovieCritic Adult
May 8, 2020
age 18+

Filth filled series

Where to start?? Every type of dark and disgusting uncalled for gratuitous violence, sometimes with sexuality n nudity. This is dark and sick, it will feed the depraved mind. Soo if you have have them common sense to want to watch something that is even slightly edifying don’t watch this!!

This title has:

Too much violence
Too much sex
James Hedrick
James Hedrick Adult
March 19, 2019
age 18+

Powerful and Compelling Historical Drama, not for Kids!

The Pillars of the Earth, both the book and miniseries are intense but enjoyable and well written. The story is engaging, the characters believable and the plot complex and many layered. The phenominal acting performances of Ian McShane, Rufus Sewell, Eddie Redmayne, Hayley Atwell, and Matthew Mcfadan are all worthy of praise. Most of the protagonists are good loving people who put others above themselves and I don't think this gets enough credit for positive role models and messages. The themes are ultimately about loss, struggle, perseverance, and love. There is considerable graphic violence and sexual material, including an intense rape scene, but nothing that is overly gratuitous or unnecessary to the story. There is also some occasional intense language but it is period appropriate and not pervasive. Kids under 18 would do well to find a medieval piece with less sex, nudity, and bloodletting. For those 18 and above who are looking for a deep and complex medieval epic and fantastic characters, I would highly recommend the series or the book. Better yet, get both! It's worth it. I absolutely love this series and cannot praise it enough.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
See all 4 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Set in 12th century England, THE PILLARS OF THE EARTH is based on the novel of the same name by Ken Follett. This is a story of religious and royal power struggles, war, love, and the evolution of cathedral building. The story centers around Tom Builder, a stone mason, who loses his job working for William Hamleigh, and in short order loses his wife, leaves his baby son on her grave, meets a witch and her son, and finds refuge and work at the monastery in Kingsbridge where he begins work on a cathedral. From here, the story unfurls over many years, many families, and many locations, all connected. The miniseries riffs on actual historical events, included the civil war between Queen Maud and King Stephen.

Is It Any Good?

First and foremost, The Pillars of the Earth is incredibly and intimately violent. There aren't legions of nameless zombies mowed down by machine guns in this series. Instead, viewers are subjected to slow torture scenes, up-close images of venereal disease, and bloody battle scenes between beloved characters.

However, if you can stomach the violence, the intricate web of storytelling showcased in the series is impressive. Taking place over eight episodes, the miniseries packs in an impressive level of detail. History, especially the civil war between Queen Maud and King Stephen, is laid out in vivid, albeit violent, detail. The acting is nothing to sniff at either. The treacherous and absolutely evil Bishop Waleran (Ian McShane) is particularly affecting -- a character fans will absolutely love to hate.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about portrayals of violence. Do you think this miniseries accurately portrays the violence of the time? Why do you think that the filmmakers chose to accentuate the violence by using techniques such as spattering the camera lens with blood?

  • How does the miniseries represent psychological violence? Is it portrayed differently than physical violence? How does the miniseries communicate these feelings?

  • How does the miniseries represent differences between classes? How does it compare to the way movies represent contemporary differences between classes?

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