The 13th Warrior [DVD] [1999]

It disappoints me that the blurb for this DVD doesn't mention that it's an adaptation of Beowulf, based on Michael Crichton's book Eaters of the Dead. It's not necessary to know this to enjoy it, but it gives an extra edge to see how the classic legend has been adapted into a 'demythologized' form. I loved the scene where Ibn Fahlan is learning the Viking's language, and what he hears slowly morphs from Norwegian into English. An Ibn Fadhlan actually existed, and much of the intro - the Viking funeral and unsanitary washing habits - comes straight from his account of meeting the Rus (Viking merchants). An excellent and clever film - and one unusual in presenting a Muslim main character sympathetically and non-stereotypically.

All I wish to say is that it is a fabulous movie and if you like action, adventure, with some mystery added in, it is a worthwhile buy. The casting is great and the norsemen believable. The contrast between the knowledgable arab and the shrewd viking warriors is great. The special effects and battle scenes are believable and really, really great. I wish there were more movies like that, but since there are not, The 13th Warrior is uniquely wonderful.

John McTiernan's excellent presentation of Michael Crichton's story "The Eaters of the Dead" depicts an earlier time in our history, the days when Vikings roamed Europe and plied their trade overseas. The story centres around Ahmed Ibn Fadlan played by Antonio Banderas and his first contact with the 'North Men' lead by Bulwyf (Beowulf) played by the typecast Vladimr Kulich and follows his journey as he travels with them to face an ancient evil. Fadlan and Bulwyf and the other eleven warriors battle an unnameable horror in a far off Nordic kingdom that was shot in Canada but looks and sounds suspiciously like dark ages Scotland - one of the characters refers to a settlement in the next 'Glen'.

The story while alluding to the 'Saga of Beowulf' has a root in history in the tale of the 'Rus' as recorded by the real Ahmed Ibn Fadlan. Fadlan a scholar from Bagdad in the old kingdom of Persia was sent to the North to be an Ambassador to the King of Volga and recorded his experiences of a brutal civilisation of Viking Warriors (the Swedish 'Rus') with shockingly barbaric rituals and an existence based on superstition and violence. The movie tones this down somewhat but still maintains certain parts of Fadlan's writings.

Beautifully set and executed, this film is replete with battles, mystery and intrigue punctuated by some marvellous moments - a particular favourite of mine is when Fadlan says he cannot wield a Viking sword because it is too heavy; his Viking friend smiles, shrugs and simply says "Grow stronger". There were some inconsistencies though, certainly in costuming, but mostly a fine production. I would have liked to see some extras on the DVD, and in some places it is clear that the movie has been cut for length - what about the removed scenes?

A movie I watch time and time again if only to join in with the Viking battle chant before the 'Magnificent Seven' style last stand. A bloke's movie to be sure, but a terrific one.