(Or “This Viking saga dials it up to eleven” in Old Norse).
A One Mann’s Movies review of “The Northman” (2022).
Robert Eggers takes a Viking saga and cranks up the action and gore to breathtaking levels. Forget the niceties of Kirk Douglas and Tony Curtis in 1958’s “The Vikings”. In fact, if “Viking” was an adjective then “The Northman” is the vikingest film I’ve ever seen!
Bob the Movie Man Rating:
Plot Summary:
It’s 895 AD and King Aurvandil War-Raven (Ethan Hawke) rules a kingdom in the North Atlantic, together with Queen Gudrún (Nicole Kidman). Their son Amleth lives a princely existance, given the times. But this idyll is ripped apart by Aurvandil’s brother Fjölnir (Claes Bang) who murders the King and seizes the throne and the Queen as his own. Amleth is forced to flee, full of promises of vengeance.
Now a fully grown Viking berserker, Amleth (Alexander Skarsgård) is called on to make good with his promise and teams with the beautiful slave Olga (Anya Taylor-Joy) to kill Fjölnir, avenge his father and free his mother.
Certification:
Talent:
Starring: Alexander Skarsgård, Nicole Kidman, Anya Taylor-Joy, Claes Bang, Ethan Hawke.
Directed by: Robert Eggers.
Written by: Sjón and Robert Eggers.
Twitter Handle: #TheNorthmanFilm.
“The Northman” Review:
Positives:
- If you like your films with full throttle battle action then this delivers in spades. It’s like those opening battle scenes in “Gladiator” but for the duration of the film. Given the level of violence and gore, I’m surprised that the movie avoided an “18” certificate from the BBFC. (I reckon it must have been very borderline). Although there is a lot of violence shown on screen, some scenes are left to your imagination. For example, all the women and children in a ransacked village are herded into a thatched barn that is then set alight: the only detail shown is the frantic rattling of the locked door. #chilling.
- There are some splendidly vibrant performances in here, with Alexander Skarsgård being genuinely threatening in the lead role. He has real on-screen chemistry too with the ever-more-radiant Anya Taylor-Joy (showing as much flesh here as in “The Witch”). Nicole Kidman also adds star power, with a performance bordering on the Oedipal at one point.
- In neat cameos are Björk as a strange other-worldly seeress (little acting required I suspect!) and Willem Dafoe as a subversive court jester. (Dafoe was a surprise in the end credits: for me he was completely unrecognisable).
- Eggers breaks out from the normal ‘swords and sorcery’ action to include some genuinely surreal moments, expressing the mythological elements of the story. The movie reminded me of the excellent “The Green Knight” in that respect.
- Special mention goes to a new ball sport featured in the story, with rules and action that I think could transfer well into the Premier League. I might actually watch “Match of the Day”.
Negatives:
- I think this will be just too brutal and bloody for many viewers. It’s certainly not one suitable for the illustrious Mrs Movie Man.
- It very occasionally steps over the top into Holy Grail territory. I was occasionally smiling to myself at inappropriate moments with thoughts of shrubbery’s.
- At 136 minutes it’s quite an exhausting watch. As I thought it took a while to get into the story, I’d have personally tightened up the first 20 minutes or so.
Summary Thoughts on “The Northman”:
In terms of movie genres, I’m less of a fan of this period of drama. The likes of “King Arthur” don’t excite me greatly. As such, it won’t trouble my top-10 for the year. That being said, this was an entertaining epic and never once boring. If you liked “Braveheart” and “Gladiator” then this should appeal.
Trailer for “The Northman”
The (red band) teaser trailer is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WrpvCmv0hk .
