13th Warrior is a film that can be best described as good old fashioned tale of swords and grim mythology. As a result it will not appeal to most of todays audiences as there are no impossible stunts and vast quantities of modern weapons.
There is however a marvellous story hidden away in the depths of this film. Although based on the book ’’The Eaters of the Dead’’ by Michael Crichton I believe a goodly portion is also based on the legend of Beowulf. But I digress....
As a result of annoying the wrong people in his Arab society, Antonio Banderas’ character, a poet by trade is exiled a far distant land. During his travels to his new home he is accompanied by Omar Sharif who puts in a cameo role as Banderas’ translator.
Nearing their destination they stop at an encampment where things start to go even further wrong for Banderas. A message is brought by longship to the encampment where upon the local seeress performs a ritual. The ritual normally specifies 12 warriors go forth to conquer the threat contained within the message that just arrived, however this time a 13th warrior is specified by the bones and it is, yes you guessed it, Antonio Banderas’ character.
They quickly sail for the village that sent the message to the encampment and on arrival notice that it has fallen on very hard times. On the very night of their arrival the village is attacked by the cannabalistic creatures that are gradually devastating that area of Viking settlement. These creatures always take their dead and more disturbingly the heads of their victims. It eventually comes to the point where the group goes out to cause some proactive damage to their foes. A marvellous action scene then ensues.....
As a result of this foray they manage to kill one half of the creatures leadership but the battle leader of this strange race remains. Whilst he lives the village will know no peace which then leads to a stupendous climax.
The film was directed by John McTiernan with great elan, until after a disagreement between Crichton and himself caused a parting of the ways halfway through filming. As a result the film suffers slightly in the latter stages when action is not at the forefront of the plot. the locations used were well sought out as there was no Hollywood characterisation as there has been in other films of this nature.
Although this film took a pasting from the critics I believe that they did not judge the film on its full merits. It is a good film and have no hesitation in recommending it