Antonio Banderas in THE 13TH WARRIOR (1999)
Does anyone like this movie? I saw it once at a drive-in back in the day and I barely remember anything from it. Since the Vikings couldn't be the enemy and Muslims couldn't be the enemy, a fictional enemy had to be created: a marauding cannibal horde. Their origin is never explained. It was based on a novel by Michael Crichton. The movie wasn't shot in Europe but in Canada. The movie was directed by John McTiernan but additional scenes were made and directed by Crichton after poor test audience reception. It was completed in 1997 but the release was continuously pushed back. The entire movie was re-edited, a new ending was added and a new score. And the original title, EATERS OF THE DEAD, was changed to THE 13TH WARRIOR. The movie reportedly cost $160 million only got $31 million in North America. Many complained that the movie was too dark (lighting) and had a difficult time following the action.
I recommend it! I have watched it numerous times. Some really tense scenes and the "Wendols" make creepy villains. There are a lot worse viking movies out there.
ReplyDeleteI barely remember it, seen it many years ago if im not mistaken on a vhs rent, but its not as bad as they say, for a popcorn movie to pass the time good is good.
ReplyDeleteThere were parts of the movie I liked but overall I wasn't too enthralled by it. Despite the poor test screenings I honestly wonder if McTiernan's original cut was a better movie and was merely unappealing to the mainstream blockbuster crowd the studio wanted.
ReplyDeleteNothing special but not bad as a vehicle for Banderas, who was a hot property at the time. IMMORTALS is another nearly forgotten Peplum that stands up pretty well. The steals from CLASH OF THE TITANS are pretty blatant, but where else are you going to see Mickey Rourke as an Ancient Greek despot?
ReplyDeleteI have never seen it, but any film titled Eaters of the Dead deserves more credit.
ReplyDeleteGood film, particularly the encounter between arabs and vikings in the Volga river, great idea! Probably Banderas' only good film. By the way, I highly recommend The Long Ships, Excellent!
ReplyDeleteI love this film. Banderas is a great POV character and I get choked up about the viking warriors' sacrifices, plus the wendol are great nasty villains. Honestly benefits from having read the novel (despite the many changes) which is Crichton's best IMO. A weird noble failure of a blockbuster in my eyes.
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