Fact and fiction.

Rating: 9/10 (4 October 2005)

Antonio Banderas plays a Muslim diplomat alongside Icelandic actors playing vikings in this saga.
The saga is based on truth. We know little about the Vikings because they had little use for writing in the pre-Christian era. A Muslim diplomat did accompany some warriors in an expedition similar to the one of this story. He survived to write about his adventure .. and so we know first hand, a little about Viking life.
An attempt to tell the real story would have had some dramatic merit. However, this fiction exposition works, but ultimately diminishes the story
This story is ultimately fiction, and explores the ending of more than just a culture ..