Not Beowulf, Braveheart or 7 Samurai

Rating: 10/10 (28 May 2008)

Dennis makes a better Viking than Kirk. I thought Speedo58's post was superb although, as a Middle eastern historian, I've always thought (1) Arabs should be played by Arabs and (2) Ibn Battuta should have received some recognition from both Michael Crichton and the film's producer and director. As much as I love Kurosawa's work, I can't BELIEVE anyone would confuse this tale with either his "Seven Samurai" or Yul Brynner's westernization as the "Magnificent Seven"?? Too bad Dennis' career suffered a blow as a result of the film's reduction to a bit of a cult film status. But then, given the ignorance of most American filmgoers, anyone that expects them to know history 10 years old, much less 1000 years old obviously is WAY out of touch with the woeful state of public education and knowledge.