Hearts and Armour

Hearts and Armour (original Italian title I Paladini: Storia d'armi e d'amori) is a 1983 Italian fantasy adventure film directed by Giacomo Battiato. Loosely inspired by the legends of the paladins, above all Ludovico Ariosto's epic poem Orlando Furioso, it was released in German-speaking countries under the title Duell der Besten. Battiato co-wrote the screenplay with Luciano Vincenzoni and Sergio Donati.

Set in a medieval world, the film was received harshly by critics overall, though its visual side earned genuine appreciation. The Sydney Morning Herald remarked that the sets were stunning and the costumes magnificent, while the story was almost nonexistent. That visual strength brought the film the David di Donatello award for best costumes. The cast includes Zeudi Araya, Barbara De Rossi, Tanya Roberts, Ronn Moss, Leigh McCloskey, and Maurizio Nichetti.