The 13th Warrior


release year: 1999
genre: action/drama
viewing setting: home DVD, 4/2/12 and theater 8/28/99

synopsis: An Arab emissary to some Vikings joins a battle party as they head north to help a fellow village plagued by monsters.

impressions: The premise of this movie was basically "what if the Beowulf story was based on real, plausible events?" As the Northmen get deeper into things, they realize what they're up against, and change their strategy accordingly. Amongst all of that is a whole lot of manly, gory battle and death with swords, arrows, spears, fire, and so forth.

acting: Antonio Banderas got top billing, but his character wasn't really that important in the big scheme of things, which I liked. Some of the guys playing the Northmen turned in memorable roles.

final word: Entertaining, if not supernatural like every other Beowulf story.

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