The Black Death is spreading to American shores with the premiere of a red band trailer. The film, starring Sean Bean (Lord of the Rings), is set during the first outbreak of the bubonic plague in 14th century England. Bean plays a knight, Ulric, who is tasked with discovering the secret of a small group of villagers who can resist the plague’s effects. He is guided by a young monk, played by Eddie Redmayne (The Other Boleyn Girl). Black Death also stars David Warner (TRON) and Carice van Houten (Valkyrie), directed by Christopher Smith (Severance).If you were a fan of fellow LotR alum Karl Urban’s brutal Viking saga Pathfinder, you’re sure to love the Dark Ages violence of Black Death. Hit the jump for the red-band trailer and full synopsis.Though Black Death was released this past summer in the UK, it will be available stateside On Demand February 4, 2011 and in theaters March 11, 2011.  Via Hulu:

The year is 1348. Europe has fallen under the shadow of the Black Death. As the plague decimates all in its path, fear and superstition are rife. In this apocalyptic environment, the church is losing its grip on the people. There are rumors of a village, hidden in marshland that the plague cannot reach. There is even talk of a necromancer who leads the village and is able to bring the dead back to life. Ulric (Sean Bean), a fearsome knight, is charged by the church to investigate these rumors. He enlists the guidance of a novice monk, Osmund (Eddie Redmayne) to lead him and his band of mercenary soldiers to the marshland, but Osmund has other motives for leaving his monastery. Their journey to the village and events that unfold take them into the heart of darkness and to horrors that will put Osmund’s faith in himself and his love for God to the ultimate test.