Being danish and in process of re-reading SAXOs Gesta Danorum - The Chronicles of the Danes - I am very pleased with the imagery and characters of this film. The Northman doesn't boast of the foundation in the year 1200 story of the danes, but
even if the manuscript is a cut & paste rendering of the chronicles mixed with the icelandic sagaes and baltic druidism it still rings true.
The best thing is that Amleth gets a glorious death. Saxos Amleth just fizzles out and Shakespeares Hamlet is reduced to a disgruntled teen-ager.
The norwegian Louis Mode made a series of illustrations for the 1898 danish version - they get new life after having seen this film.
The best thing is that Amleth gets a glorious death. Saxos Amleth just fizzles out and Shakespeares Hamlet is reduced to a disgruntled teen-ager.
The norwegian Louis Mode made a series of illustrations for the 1898 danish version - they get new life after having seen this film.