Valhalla Rising (2009)
Denmark / UK 90m, Colour
Director: Nicolas Winding Refn; Cast: Mads Mikkelsen, Jamie Sives, Gary Lewis, Ewan Stewart, Maarten Stevenson
Valhalla Rising is an episodic story about a Norse warrior known as “One-Eye” who travels with a small band of crusaders who are intent on spreading Christianity to a new world which they find themselves after a strange journey across an unknown sea. Blending science fiction with history, Valhalla Rising is a masterfully filmed and memorable production that is largely without dialogue. While there is little historical accuracy in this cryptic fantasy, the violent actions of the gritty characters set amidst an equally foreboding landscape are well-matched, providing a visceral look and feel to this imaginative and atmospheric film (Klaus Ming April 2012).
I’m not sure why I liked this one so much. Maybe because its so minimal in sets and dialogue. It lets your imagination flesh it out in so many ways. Even the bizarre behind the scenes features and director interviews on the DVD add to the mystery of it all.
Also having watched the directors comments, I was wondering what film he was actually talking about!