Product reviewsThe 13th Warrior (DVD, 2001)

13

Love this film

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13th warrior

Great action film

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Well worth watching

Good film

Favourite

One of my all time favourite films

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Great value.

Bought it for mum, haven't watched it myself.

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Very happy with product

Very happy with product

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Good film

Good film

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Exciting film with plenty of action.

The film is an exciting mix of medieval history, pre-historic theory and modern fantasy and adventure.

UNUSUAL ACTION FILM

I first saw this film in the theatres when it was first released, and I remember being disappointed at the time, as I did not particularly care for it. It was shown on television cable channel last night, and I thought, why not give it a second go around. Well, I am certainly glad that I did, as I enjoyed the film much more the second time around and can affirmatively say that I like it.
While the film is apparently based upon Michael Crichton's book, "Eaters of the Dead", having not, as yet, read this book, I had no pre-conceived notions about the storyline and have no idea whether or not it is or is not a faithful adaptation. All I can say is that I found it to be an enjoyable, though unusual, action film. Moreover, I do love Antonio Banderas, and I thought that he was particularly dreamy in the role of Ahmad Ibin Fahdlan, a young and exceedingly handsome, well-educated Arab, a poet made an ambassador and exiled from his homeland for having coveted another man's wife.

Ahmed, accompanied by a wily older man, Melchisidek (Omar Sharif), and a band of Arabs, comes across a ragtag group of Norsemen on a ship. With Melchisidek translating for him, Ahmed befriends them when they briefly come ashore, and while with them, the Norsemen get a bit of bad news from home by way of a messenger. It seems that an ancient enemy whose name they cannot even speak aloud, (the Wendols), are savaging their countrymen, and the Norsemen need to get back in a hurry to help. An oracle is consulted, and it seems that thirteen warriors must go back in order to fight successfully this flesh eating enemy. The thirteenth warrior, however, must not be a Norseman. Thus, Ahmed is reluctantly conscripted to fight this ancient evil.

Ahmed goes with them on their ship, heading North, and quickly learning their language. He ends up bonding with the friendly Norseman, Herger the Joyous (Dennis Storhoi). When they arrive at their destination, they see the ravages left by the Wendols and prepare for war against these beast-like beings that they believe to be supernatural in origin, due to the sheer savagery of their methods. There is a reason why they are referred to as eaters of the dead. Ahmed, initially fearful, eventually goes from being squeamish and a quivering bowl of jello in the face of attack to being a stalwart and courageous warrior. This transformation occurs when he discovers that the enemy is not a demon from the dark side but, rather, just a man, though not quite like him.

Antonio Banderas gives a wonderful performance as the sensitive Ahmed, infusing the role with both subtlety and strength. Omar Sharif makes the most of his very brief screen appearance. Dennis Storhoi is terrific in the role of Ahmed's charismatic Norse friend, the intrepid, seasoned warrior, Herger the Joyous. Asides from being an action film, it is also a sort of buddy movie, as well. The Wendols are appropriately fearsome, and some of the cinematography is breathtaking. While some of the sub-plots are not fully fleshed out and a little puzzling, this does not unduly detract from the overall enjoyment of the film. Of course, the viewer would do well to suspend disbelief over Ahmed's seeming overnight learning of the Norsemen's language, as well as over the concept of cavemen riding on horseback. Still, notwithstanding some of these little bumps in the road, this is a film that those who like the action genre will enjoy.Read full review...

The Thirteenth Warrior

I bought this DVD having seen the film on TV a few years ago, and wanted to see if it's as good as I remember, and, hooray !, it is. It's an exciting and imaginative retelling of the Beowulf story. In this version, twelve Viking warriors, led by Buliwyf ( Beowulf ) are sent to kill the monster Wendol ( Grendel ) , joined by a thirteenth warrior, the distinctly unheroic Arab ambassador Ibn, played by Antonio Banderas. The twist comes in the revelation of what the " monster " Wendol really is. One of my favourite scenes is when Ibn teaches himslef to speak the Vikings' language by listening to their bawdy campfire tales.
No extras on the DVD, but a great film, in fact so good I'm going to turn off my computer and watch it again now.Read full review...