Cast: Antonio Banderas, Diane Venora, Omar Sharif, Vladimir Kulich, Dennis Storh�i, Maria Bonnevie, Mischa Hausserman, Sven Wollter, John DeSantis, Asbj�rn Riis
Director: John McTiernan
Producers: John McTiernan, Michael Crichton, Ned Dowd
Screenplay: William Wisher and Warren Lewis, based on the novel Eaters of the Dead by Michael Crichton
Cinematography: Peter Menzies Jr.
Music: Jerry Goldsmith
U.S. Distributor: Touchstone Pictures
After numerous delays and a clear lack of understanding on Disney's part about how to handle this property, The 13th Warrior is being unceremoniously dumped into theaters during the most torpid time of the cinematic year: late August. Over the course of its life cycle, the movie has experienced a name revision (the original title, Eaters of the Dead, was the same as the Michael Crichton novel upon which it is based) and numerous release date changes. Such tinkering often presages a messy, unpleasant motion picture experience, but, at least in that regard, The 13th Warrior defies expectations and delivers an exhilarating 100 minutes.
Admittedly, anyone expecting Shakespeare will be disappointed. Depth is not one of The 13th Warrior's strengths. In fact, probably as the result of hasty editing, two subplots (one about internal politics and one featuring a romance) have been pruned to the point where their inclusions raise more questions than they answer. On the other hand, the main storyline is lean and tightly plotted, with the best sword-and-spear battle sequences since Braveheart. The movie is a lavish spectacle and does an excellent job of creating atmosphere and establishing an involving scenario.
Antonio Banderas plays Ahmed Ibn Fadlan, a 10th century Arab ambassador from Baghdad whose mission is to interact with and learn the ways of the Vikings. Although initially horrified by the Northmen's barbaric customs and lack of hygiene, Ahmed unexpectedly becomes one of their number when the Vikings' leader, Buliwyf (Vladimir Kulich), includes him in a small band of adventurers. Their goal: report to aging King Hrothgar (Sven Wollter) and offer their assistance in protecting his people from a scourge that is causing supernatural terror and decimating the population - half-men, half-beasts that attack during the night, decapitating their victims. Soon, Ahmed is on the front lines, fighting alongside Bulifwyf and his right-hand man, Herger (Dennis Storh�i), to defeat the creatures known as the "Eaters of the Dead."
What's interesting about The 13th Warrior (and, presumably, Eaters of the Dead, which I have not read) is that it purports to be a deconstruction of the legend of Beowulf. According to the classic heroic poem (composed around 1000 A.D.), Beowulf is a great Scandinavian warrior who answers King Hrothgar's pleas for help to kill the man-eating monster Grendel. Later, after slaying the creature, Beowulf enters Grendel's lair to destroy his mother. The 13th Warrior argues that "Grendel" is not actually one creature, but a host of costumed men who assault under cover of darkness, pretending to be fearsome, demonic apparitions. Buifwyf/Beowulf earns his reputation by driving them back then leading a small party of warriors on a search-and-destroy mission for the female leader of the attacking tribe.
Admittedly, most of those venturing into a theater to see The 13th Warrior won't know anything about Beowulf or Grendel (even though the poem is usually required reading for high school English students). But it's not necessary to make the connection. The movie can be enjoyed for what it is - an action/adventure picture filled with violent, bloody battles and larger-than-life heroic deeds. Think Conan the Barbarian crossed with Braveheart. There's more than a little of both to be found here - great deeds by great men in a forgotten era.
The director is John McTiernan. August has been a busy month for the filmmaker, who currently has two movies in theaters (the other being the 1999 remake of The Thomas Crown Affair). It's not that McTiernan is a ceaseless worker, but that The 13th Warrior has been sitting on the shelf for so long. It was completed more than 18 months ago. McTiernan, who is best known for helming the first and third Die Hard installments, extracts a surprisingly high quantity of suspense and tension from the straightforward plot. There aren't many so-called "edge of the seat" moments, but there's enough excitement to keep all but the most squeamish viewers interested. Those who are offended by graphic displays of violence will probably find The 13th Warrior close to unwatchable.
In an unusual approach, lead actor Antonio Banderas does not play the movie's chief heroic figure. Banderas' Ahmed gets in on the battle action, but he is more of an observer than an instigator. Of course, this goes contrary to the traditional action formula, which states that the first-billed performer must be involved in the climactic battle, instead of watching from the sidelines, which is what happens here. The rest of the cast is populated by largely unknown names and faces (Vladimir Kulich, Maria Bonnevie, Dennis Storh�i, John DeSantis, Asbj�rn Riis), with a couple of notable exceptions. Diane Venora portrays King Hrothgar's steel-eyed wife and Omar Sharif has a small role as Ahmed's manservant. Everyone does an adequate job; there aren't any standout performances, but each of the actors proves well-matched to his or her part.
It will be interesting to see if The 13th Warrior finds an audience. It has an epic scope but not an epic length, and, while there are similarities to Braveheart, this movie lacks the other's romantic aspects and strong character identification. And, of course, Antonio Banderas is not Mel Gibson's equal when it comes to drawing power. Nevertheless, for those who enjoy rousing sword fights and gritty, well-choreographed battle sequences, The 13th Warrior represents a solid offering, and a surprisingly agile entry into the late summer box office race.
© 1999 James Berardinelli