far better than it's given credit for, with some excellent performances

Rating: 8/10 (27 November 2006)

Although I agree that this movie is really well shot, its abiding problem is its lack of light. So much of the action takes place in caves or tents or in the dark that it becomes enormously oppressive. It's a huge relief when the last battle takes place in broad daylight. It's such a pity that the desire for a bleak, claustrophobic northern atmosphere was allowed to compromise the story telling, as this version of the Beowulf tale has much to offer. Dennis Storhoi and Vladimir Kulich are outstanding, but many of the other warriors give performances of great credit in lesser roles. Antonio Banderas is very fine as a fop finding his manhood through exposure to the vikings' positive, almost cheerful fatalism