ONE OF THE VERY BEST SAGAS OF THE MIDDLE AGES:

Rating: 10/10 (6 January 2019)

Made from Michael Crichton's very best book, "Eaters of the Dead," which was itself based on the NON-fiction memoirs of the Arab warrior/diplomat/scholar Ahmed ibn Fahdlan. NO FANTASY HERE, which is likely why so many people continue to badmouth it: no dragons, witches, zombies or other nonsense. It grows out of the long-held historical speculation that, in Northeastern Europe of the early Middle Ages, modern man ran into the last Neanderthals: and it gets better because it's REAL. Some of the greatest battle scenes ever by he great John Mctiernan, and fantastic acting from the Scandinavian actors. GIVE THIS MOVIE A CHANCE, it's Banderas' high point and you'll be glad you didn't heed the naysayers!