13th Warrior: A Fun But Intellectual Movie
By DarlingGirl
@DarlingGirl (745)
United States
May 5, 2007 12:57am CST
When I stumbled over "13th Warrior" in my local music store I thought, "Oh, boy. On special for $9.99! This one must be a real winner!" (insert sarcastic laugh)
Then I saw it had Antonio Banderas in it. Hmmm...
It"s about Norsemen..always a plus for a person who has done historical restoration.
"Okay, for $9.99 I'll try it."
Cut to home and my DVD player.
Big closeup of my mouth hanging open incomplete disbelief.
I mean it, this movie surpassed all my expectations. Firstly it gives the viewer a close view of an ancient Norse dialect, secondly, the actors are not well known (except for Omar Sharif and Antonio) and thirdly, there was sword fighting, politics, and a little nookie.
I recommend that anyone who watches it turn on the English subtitles. I was amazed at how much dialog I'd missed, and it was easier to understand the Nordic!
Antonio did a great job (though I never met an Arab with that accent!)
The supporting actors were so good it made me want to cry. IN particular, Dennis Storhoi as "Herger The Joyous" was absolutely hysterical and poignant at the same time. His character's relationship with "Ibn" (Banderas) was quite obvious. The two were perfectly paired.
Vladimir Kulich as "Buliwyf" (sounds like Bovine)was unbelievable.
It's very hard to put into words - the accents, the armor, the costume, the tradition, the lighting, and most especially, the rousing music - all contributed to a movie that I like to watch.
Blame Michael Crichton for writing that spectacular script, doing a little reshooting direction, and John McTiernan for directing most of it. I tell you, it's a freak of nature, a sheer miracle that this movie didn't turn out to be a hokey Conan remake. But as luck would have it, it's entertaining, and insightful, and downright watchable.
Go rent it and buy (or brew!) some nice mead to drink while watching.
Please add to this review! Let others know what you thought of it.
1 person likes this
2 responses
@Adrenochrome (1653)
•
5 May 07
My first comment on the film is, thank god he didn't sing this time! I quite like Antonios work, but Evita should be avoided at all costs!
Like Omar before him, Antonio has become Hollywoods 'we have a role for a non-white, non-black actor' go-to-guy. Spanish, Moorish, South American - I feel a re-make of Zorba the Greek heading his way.
As I'm from the north of England, where we were ruled (happily) by the Danes for several hundred years, I did not have so much trouble with the accents, but think your advice about subtitles is good for non-Europeans. Strangely, the cast is rather well-known, but usually speaking their own language. Often these great types of actor do make it big in America (all too often playing baddies! We can be nice over here in Europe!), and I notice that almost every film with a half-decent script coming from Hollywood nowadays has Udo Kier in it - great actor, weird eyes!
Most amazingly, in the present political climate, it is refreshing to see a US made film where the hero is Islamic, and portrayed as intelligent, artistic, and honourable. Reminds me again of David Lean and Omar in 'Lawrence of Arabia' - my Mum had a bit of a thing for Omar.
By Krom, how can you speak of Conan like that? Shocking! It's governor Arnies best acting role ever, probably due to lack of dialogue, and the bewildered look on the face. Actually, I do enjoy the Conan films, notably 'the BArbarian' because of James Earl Jones's performance, and the use of Borodins 'Polovtsian Dances' (from 'Prince Igor').
Whilst on the subject of wonderful legend stories, get 'Excalibur' by John Boorman out from Blockbuster, next time you're there. Not only a magnificent film, superb story, & great music, but you can play 'spot the star' throughout, as the cast have become very famous since it was made (There's a starship captain, a man who has played both a Catholic priest and the Devil, and, a female Oscar winner from this year!).
If you don't mind subtitled films (or even a lack of colour in some of the very old films), I'd like to mention a couple of good foreign language films - 'M - Eine Stadt Sucht Einen Moerder' by Fritz Lang, with a magnificent pre-US performance by Peter Lorre, Gyuseppe Tornatores 'Cinema Paradiso' is beautiful beyond belief, and Claude Sautes 'Un couer en hiver' for it's wonderful love triangle with Frances Brad/Angelina couple, Daniel Auteuil & Emma Beart (Mission Impossible 1).
Keep enjoying good cinema, and all the best.
1 person likes this
@DarlingGirl (745)
• United States
5 May 07
Awwww. well, yes. I do love "Conan" for what it was- a straight out fun film. I'm an Arnie fan too, and oh, do I love James Earl Jones!
On a boring rainy Saturday night there's nothing like a little Conan to brighten things up.
I saw "Excalibur" in the theatre. I'd heard about it before it ever came out, and of course I saw it several times! It's part of my personal collection. I'm a fan of Nicol Williamson, Patrick Stewart, Ciaran Hinds, Gabriel Byrne, Helen Mirren and Nigel Terry -- so how could anyone go wrong with a cast like that?!
Good grief, I've just looked up the movie on IMDB and discovered that John Boorman's son was "the young Mordred" and his daughter was "the Lady of The Lake"! How cool is that?!
Because of my love for Nicol Williamson, I went to see him in "MacBeth" and "I Hate Shakespeare" in the Broadway Theatre District.
Though Nicol has drinking issues that interfere with his performances, if you get there early enough (the first few performances) you can have a chance at seeing an excellent actor performing his craft with impeccable ferocity.
I saw "Prince Igor" for the first time only three months ago, and was captivated by it. Talk about a film that you can really sink your teeth into!
I truly appreciate your recommendations! You're obviously a knowledgeable movie goer. I've got to see some more films with Dennis Storhoi. I see that there are many - none of which have made it to the American market. I shall have to send away for them. No biggie. Thanks to the Internet, I don't have to wait for such things!(Uhhh, unless they have to be converted.) ;(
Thank you for your informative and insightful reply. I'm sure many MyLot viewers will benefit from it!
@Adrenochrome (1653)
•
5 May 07
I can't believe you've seen Nicol in the flesh, I think he is a magnificent actor, and his portrayal of Merlin will never be surpassed. Anyone who can deliver such lines as 'I enjoy opera like invading France, a few hours distraction' whilst keeping a strsight face, must be a star.
Glad you enjoyed the film, and have it in your collection, too. Another film that has sprung to mind is Wim Wender (directed 'Paris, Texas' with the great Harry Dean Stanton) 'Wings of Desire', made in Germany with Bruno Ganz, and a superb cameo from Peter 'Columbo' Faulk. I understand that it was reworked in the US, with Nicholas Cage and Meg Ryan, but would highly recommend the original.
@scammerwear (1433)
• Singapore
5 May 07
Ahh~ so you showed it too :p Can't really remember it (was years ago) but I remember being pretty impressed with it. The feel of the whole movie is right up my alley.
Though I have a few comments from others about all the 'impossibles' and 'mistakes', hey, its a movie. I like it :E
