Cheap The 13th Warrior (DVD) (Antonio Banderas, Diane Venora) (John McTiernan, Michael Crichton) Price

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Customer Reviews of The 13th Warrior

Ignore the film critics
Michael Crictons Eathers of the Dead, based on the medieval epic of Beowulf, and put on the screen under the title, The 13th Warrior, was probably the best action movie in years, simply because the action and focus wasn't dependant on a lot computer special effects; instead, the various characters were the center of the story, all of which were portrayed with real flesh and blood performances. The main character, Antonio Banderas plays the Arab ambassador Ahmahd ibn Fahdalan (sp?), an actual historical figure whose observations of the Norse he encountered in what is the modern day Ukraine are among the few actual writen documentations we have of the Vikings. In the (fictional) film ibn Fahdalan assists a group of Vikings to fight off a semi-mthyical enemy in their native Scandanavia. Although initially forced to join them against his will, he soon becomes personally commited to their cause. The enemy they fight against is the Wendor, which in both Crichton's book and the film are not a mythical beast like the Beowulf epic's Grendal, but a surviving group of pre-historic hominids (apparently cro-magnon). Both novel and film follow a parallel course with the epic, although a lot was edited out that would have given the movie some greater depth; several times the concept and role of fear are mentioned and it's obvious there had been some previous discussion about this, but it's just as obvious most of these dialogs had been left on the cutting room floor. Be that as it may, what remained was a good adventure story told with a constant and dynamic pace. The characters may have not been given all of the development some critics could have asked for, but that's arguable. Banderas's character by the end of the film had found almost a new and deeper commitment to living his life meaningfully. And besides, how many people substantially evolve over a 48 hr period, which was the time frame for the bulk of the movie. Furthermore, most critics bombed this movie because of what they considered the implausible plot of Vikings fighting pre-historic hominids in medieval Scandanavia. Which just goes to show you how much film critics know about anything. The mastedon, a smaller version of the wooly mamoth, was still around in Siberia at the beginning of recorded history (circa 3000 B.C). Crodiles, alligators, and sharks were around for millions of years before the first hominids and are still hanging in there, long after cro-magnons and neanderthals have disappeared. So Chrichton's idea of some non-homo sapien cousin or ancestor of ours still surviving in the primeval forrests of the early middle ages isn't all that implausible, especially when the human population of Europe at that time was a miniscule fraction of what it is today and nobody has any clue exactly when our hominid ancestors disapeared. It certainly wouldn't be the first time that a species long thought extinct proved to be very much alive. So, despite some admittedly glaring historical inacuracies in the film, put away your pre-conceptions, ignore the critics, and enjoy this very human film that's untainted by a lot of cloying special effects.

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A Fine Fantasy Action Film
It was like the stealth movie. Antonio Banderas (Zorro) starring in a movie based on a Michael Crichton (Jurassic Park) book and . . . nothing. Most people never even heard of this film that inexplicably slid right through the box office with barely a whimper. But they missed a good one.

The 13th Warrior is loosely based on the Crichton novel Eaters of the Dead. Banderas plays an Arab of high birth who is banished from his people for falling in love with the wrong woman. He is sent as an ambassador to the barbaric people of the North where he meets up with a dangerous, yet fairly affable group of Vikings.

The plot gains speed when a child seeks out the leader of the Vikings to help defend a different Viking kingdom from an evil force. When an oracle determines that 13 warriors must go to combat the evil, Banderas is drafted because the 13th warrior must not be a northman. The thirteen "volunteers" head north to combat the evil force that decapitates and eats its victims.

Make no mistake, this is a violent, bloody movie. But in the best tradition of classic fantasy, it is engaging and exhilarating. The battle scenes seemed to be filmed from the midst of the action, and the blows appear frighteningly real. The sword play is direct and brutal. This movie aims for a dark, serious tone and largely achieves it.

Though the action scenes are terrific, the most appealing part of this film is the Viking characters. Though many of the roles are filled by unknown talent, the performances are right on. The Vikings are violently repulsive, yet decidedly brave, noble, and loyal. They, like the movie, are decidedly smarter and more subtle than they would initially appear. Banderas' Arab character goes from outsider to warrior as he slowly adopts the noble courage of his Viking companions.

I'm sure most critics dismissed this film as meaningless violence. But it's much more than that if you take the time to look.

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Fantastic movie that could have been even better
This movie had the makings of an epic film that could have given competition to Lord of the Rings. It was a classic tale, with good casting and great costumes. The Viking band was reminiscient of the Seven Samurai or the Magnificent Seven. It was a little bit of a letdown when you realized the evil monsters were really just a bunch of cannibals, but they still turned out to be quite a challenge for the group of heroes. Had they not cut out so much of this movie, it would have been great, instead of just really good.

A definite buy. You will enjoy watching this one over and over again.