Written by Mr. Mouseburger 15th Jul 2005
Prologue: Mortianna is the stereotypical crone that seems to frequent medieval Britain in these historical epics. She is mother of the Sheriff of Nottingham (q.v.) and it is by no small measure that Nottingham's fortunes have been mainly due to the black magic rituals (which seem to involve spitting on a plate and smearing the phlegm with an overly long fingernail) and foresight of his mother. When Mortianna realises that Robin has brought back a "painted man" (that is 13th century speak for a Moor) from his sojourn in the crusades, she foresees that Azeem would be the cause of her death.
As we approach the end of the film, Robin and Azeem have separated. Robin has run off to perform some heroics involving a flag (as detailed elsewhere) while Azeem persists with trying to bash down the "damned English oak" door. As he is doing this, Mortianna appears from a secret passage and stabs a spear into the side of Azeem. She reels back in horror when she sees who it is, and begs forgiveness. However, this is a sneaky ruse to make Azeem lower his guard, so she can finish him off. The pair struggle briefly, fighting for control of the spear, but Azeem easily overpowers Mortianna, and manages to throw her against the wall.
Mortianna bounces off this and staggers back towards Azeem. Unfortunately for Mortianna, Azeem has had time to set the spear and she impales herself on it. It is a mortal wound, but Azeem is looking dumbstruck as Mortianna runs off down the hall with the impaled spear still in her.
Cut to: Inside the chapel, Robin has finally killed off Nottingham and starts hugging Marion. All of a sudden, the insane bat, who we thought dead minutes before, has appeared from nowhere (another secret passage) and is running at Robin with the spear. Caught off his guard, Robin is at her mercy but, with impeccable timing the oak door finally gives way, Azeem bursts in to the room and in one fluid movement he throws his scimitar at Mortianna.
The scimitar spins end over end and hits her in the chest with such force she is flung backwards several feet where she finally dies.
So she was killed by the prophecy itself? But she was not quite dead? Is it perhaps a valid point that she was "Impaled" "Projectiled" and "Contrived-Self-Defensed"?
("Defensed" is spelled correctly)
Also, on another note, if I could foresee who was going to kill me, I would maybe try to keep my distance from said person.
As I recall she ran into him by accident when they met. She can't sense Azeem's presence, I don't think, and then when he finally kills her it's when he bursts dramatically into the room after Mortianna is already in there. So, no real fault on her part either time.
she still needs to die in order to conclude the film.
Is it just me or does she look like a female version of Emperor Palpatine?
i think that mortianna was brilliant [geraldine mc ewan]. she played that part so wellshe is a fantastic actress the part was good where she was thrown.