The Navigator: A Mediaeval Odyssey (1988)

80% of critics liked it
(5 reviews)
84% of users liked it
(853 ratings)

This modest Australian fantasy stars Hamish McFarlane as a young 14th Century boy with acute psychic powers. During the period of the Black Death, Hamish believes that he can rescue his fellow villagers by leading them into an abandoned mine. The fugitives tunnel their way through the darkness and… More This modest Australian fantasy stars Hamish McFarlane as a young 14th Century boy with acute psychic powers. During the period of the Black Death, Hamish believes that he can rescue his fellow villagers by leading them into an abandoned mine. The fugitives tunnel their way through the darkness and emerge on the other side--into a bustling New Zealand metropolis in the year 1988. The phenomenon is seen from the point of view of the "aliens," to whom every modern convenience and invention is a miracle comparable to the Resurrection. The Navigator: A Medieval Odyssey successfully creates and sustains its own logic, framing the story in the linear form of an ancient legend, and never treating the bedazzled time-travellers in a condescending manner. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 32 min.
Directed By: Vincent Ward
Written By: Vincent Ward, Kely Lyons, Geoff Chapple
Genres: Action & Adventure, Science Fiction & Fantasy

In Theaters: Sep 16, 1988 Wide
On DVD: Feb 27, 2001

Critic Reviews

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
An astonishingly effective New Zealand film about dreams, death, community, and the mystical dimensions of the human heart.
Shane Burridge, rec.arts.movies.reviews
THE NAVIGATOR does not concern itself much with the spirit of adventure but instead sticks to the more appropriately medieval doom-laden concerns of God, death, and prophecy

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Featured Audience Ratings

Dean M

A group of medieval Cumbrians flee the plague by burrowing through the earth, emerging in 20th century New Zealand. Although a thinnish script prevents this from being a masterpiece, the original storyline, clever historical parallels and stunning imagery are compelling. Well worth a… More
A group of medieval Cumbrians flee the plague by burrowing through the earth, emerging in 20th century New Zealand. Although a thinnish script prevents this from being a masterpiece, the original storyline, clever historical parallels and stunning imagery are compelling. Well worth a look.

Cast

Bruce Lyons
as Connor
Chris Haywood
as Arno
Hamish McFarlane
as Griffin

Marshall Napier
as Searle
Noel Appleby
as Ulf
Paul Livingston
as Martin

See full cast

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The Navigator: A Mediaeval Odyssey (1988)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

Dean M

Cast

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