“Age of Uprising: The Legend of Michael Kohlhaas” recounts the adventures of a horse trader by the name of Michael Kohlaas (played by Mads Mikkelsen) who leads an army of rebels in a fight against the local nobility.

After setting camp in the woods in the vast expanses of France’s Cevennes region, Kohlhaas and his posse of soldiers are visited by various people, friends and enemies, in scenes which gives “Age” the appearance of a kind of street theater in which characters have a dialectical purpose, each one in turn revealing the story’s philosophical stakes. “Age” take on the spirit of a Robin Wood-styled philosophical meditation which questions the very notions of justice, revenge and property.

There are flaws, to be sure, starting with the slightly pompous dialogue and overly complex set up. But the minimal but effective directing of actors and above-par sound editing (rarely has wind sounded so extraordinary in movies) help create a heavy and engrossing atmosphere, enough to make this film a good surprise and a necessary stop on your moviegoing route.