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IFC Films

NEW YORK -- A cinematic, ethnographic portrait that ranks with anything done by National Geographic in terms of sheer exotica, Andrew Neel and Luke Meyer's documentary explores the mores of a large group of people who participate in fantastical renditions of medieval-style battles.

While the subject matter inevitably wears thin over the course of its feature-length running time, Darkon has an undeniable fascination and fairly begs for a feature film comedy adaptation.

The filmmakers don't take a condescending view toward their subjects -- that's wisely left to the viewer -- with the result that their effort never takes on the air of cheap mockery.

It concerns a group of more than 200 adults who gather every other Sunday in the Baltimore suburbs to enact the fantasy world that gives the film its title. Battling each other on various fields and playgrounds while wearing homemade costumes and brandishing makeshift weapons, the participants clearly