The 13th Warrior 1999 - Film Review

I have seen “The 13th Warrior (1999)” a few times but haven’t reviewed it so that is something I am putting write today. I was hoping to review something a bit newer today but with the wife’s hospital appointment, dragging on it was just too late for a trip to the cinema this afternoon.

In the early years of the 10th century, an exiled Arabian nobleman having fallen in love with the wrong woman the sultan himself sends him on a diplomatic mission to a distant land as an ambassador. Along the way he encounters a band of Vikings camped by a river.

The Arab nobleman and his travelling companion are soon befriended and are able to stay with the Vikings, when a young boy, a messenger from the North, comes to the Vikings to ask for help. In their home country, many people die because of "an evil whose name should not be pronounced" which we later find out live in a cave with their Queen and were cannibals. They consult an oracle who tells them that they should send 13 warriors, but that one of them shouldn't be a Viking. The Arab, however not believing that these mythical creatures from the forests really exist, joins them in their battle against the Wendol.

The Wendol are giant bear-like men who're extremely violent and savage. The good thing about The 13th Warriors is that it contains multiple impressive battle sequences and extremely interesting characters. For example the leader of the North men - Buliwyf - who's a truly overwhelming personality. The costumes and geographical settings are breath taking and perhaps even the most successful aspects in the entire production. And, of course, you can't tell a Viking tale without the use of explicit violence…the battles are pretty gruesome and the blood shed is enormous.

The sound effects in the movie was awesome, the acting was brilliant as well. The story is short and solid, even though the story is straightforward, yet it contains twist, and turns. I am sure that the movie plot somehow contains elements from the story of Beowulf, I mean, the leader of the warriors is Buliwyf (similar to Beowulf), and a brave, brave warrior at his best. The ending was dramatic and heroic and it’s likely I will watch it repeatedly in the future.

Antonio Banderas, plays Ahmed Ibn Rashid Ibn Hamad and is convincing as the curious, but knowledgeable Arabian envoy. Vladimir Kulich, plays Buliwyf, The 1st Warrior and is capable and extremely formidable in his chieftain's role. With Dennis Storhøi as Herger the Joyous and Daniel Southern as Edgtho the Silent.

My Rating