This is a Canada-UK-Iceland production (not made by Hollywood), and it shows. It's actually refreshing to not see an overly slick epic sword film. Written approximately 1000 AD, anonymously, possibly by someone touted as a priest, this is one of the longest old English poems. It was regarded as being mainly of interest to academics, but it was brought to prominence by J.R.R. Tolkien in his 1936 essay, Beowulf: The Monsters and the Critics.
Recently seen in King Arthurand the last Exorcist movie, Stellan Skarsgård, a great actor, shows up as the beleaguered King Hrothgar. Beowulf and twelve other warriors show up to help kill off a troll who recently stormed the King's wooden lodge and massacred twenty guards. The troll Grendel dresses in a chain mail vest and appears to stand around 8 ft tall. In fact, Ingvar Eggert Sigurðsson stands just a hair above 6 feet but appears quite a bit larger thanks to movie magic.
This medieval tale is a morality story. We soon figure out why, exactly, Grendel the troll torments the Danish King and his very small collection of subjects. However, our hero Beowulf, played by Gerard Butler (last seen in The Phantom of the Opera) doesn't know the full story. Sarah Polley is the local witch who can see how people die but she doesn't even make an attempt to fake an accent more becoming of those times. She talks as if she's hanging out with friends at the mall.
Gerard Butler gives a strong performance as the hero with both a heart and a sense of morality. And he looks a bit Christ-like with the long, flowing hair.
The film made me feel chilly and isolated, perfectly matching the rocky, steep seaside terrain, shrouded quite often in mist. Director Sturla Gunnarsson (Such A Long Journey) filmed in his native Iceland, which he emigrated from as a child to move to Canada. The dangerous black cliffs tower above the sea and contribute to the unbelievably rugged scenery.
Beowulf and Grendel is a refreshing epic but due to its lack of mainstream production values, it may not find the size of audience it really deserves. Look for another Beowulf film by Robert Zemeckis, now in post-production and set to star Anthony Hopkins, Angelina Jolie, John Malkovich, Robin Wright Penn, and Crispin Glover (as Grendel), with a 2007 release.
I rate this film 3.5/5.
Article comments
1 - Victor Lana
Great post, Triniman! Despite Woody Allen's famous line in Annie Hall (never take a course that requires you to read Beowulf), I've always enjoyed the story and have taught it myself at the college level.
I look forward to seeing this film. Are you familiar with John Gardner's novel Grendel? It is the story told from the monster's point of view. A really fantastic read!
2 - Triniman
Victor, I've heard of the Grendel novel but I haven't read it. I bet it's great!
I really hope people give this film a chance.
3 - Pamela S.
I wish this movie had a US distributor so you lucky Canadians weren't the only one who get to see it! I'm glad you do get to enjoy the story and the wonderful acting by my favorite actor Gerard Butler, but.... how about letting some of the rest of us in on the fun?
Good article, btw. Thanks.
4 - Triniman
Thanks, Pamela.
I can only guess that it is showing in Canada since it is a Canadian co-production. I have no doubt that it will end up in the US, though, sooner or later.
Curiously, there are no US screening dates on their website yet.
5 - El Bicho
Neil Gaiman co-wrote the Hollywood screenplay, so I'm curious to see it
6 - wolf
I can not wait to see this movie...
Hopefully we will be hearing soon that
a USA distributor has been found.
The trailers, two featurettes ,
interview clips, and photo galleries
on the main site www.beowulfandgrendel.com just serve to make me
even more anxious to see this film.
blondesquaw
7 - Steve
Well, I'm a Canadian, and I saw this movie a few weeks ago. All I can say is, it was very dark and quite gruesome. I wish I had read the poem from the Middle Ages that it is based on BEFORE going to see the movie so I could have saved myself the time and money. Having seen the movie, I can honestly say I have NO desire to read the poem it was based on/inspired by lol. If this movie is faithful to the poem at all, I doubt very much that the poem was written by an anonynous priest!! Of course, those warriors in this movie that go around choppping off people's heads are regarding as eminently sane while the Christians are a bunch of nutbars. I do hope the Hollywood version due next year does not follow the same tack.
8 - blondesquaw
Beowulf and Grendel has been doing very well with its USA releash!!!!!
What a great movie... It has had extended showing time at each location.. I am well jazzed about that...
And speaking of B&G have any of you seen this site wratofgods.com???? It is about the documentary by Jon Gustafsson WRATH OF GODS, the making of B&G... There are great clips that just make you want to see more... I think this documentary will be just as good as the movie... I can't wait to see it... and I bet it starts showing up at film festivals real soon... I will be watching for it...
all of you should go have a look at this site...
well worth the time....
blondesquaw
9 - blondesquaw
I got my USA version DVD of Beowulf and Grendel yesterday. I just love this movie... I enjoy it more every time that I watch it!!!!!!! The extras are wonderful.. especially the ones from Jon Gustafsson's documentary about the filming of B&G ... The Wrath of Gods... and speaking of .. Jon has added a new trailer to his site wrathofgods.com Oh my god it is fantastic!!!!!
blondsquaw
10 - Triniman
blondesquaw, glad you enjoyed the movie and DVD. I will have to check out that website and the documentary. Are you jazzed about seeing the film Pathfinder at all?
11 - blondesquaw
Triniman
I will be watching Path Finder when it comes out..
It looks interesting...
The Wrath of Gods will be showing on the CBC on November 14th.. 42 minutes worth!!!!
Then after this showing Jon Gustafsson will
be releasing the documentary for sales....
The trailer for Wrath of Gods is fantastic...
I was wondering if you had a look at the site and what you thought...
I simply can't wait to see it...
blondesquaw
12 - blondesquaw
What are your thoughts on Path Finder???
blondesquaw
13 - Rose
I have seen part of the Wrath of Gods documentary and it looks amazing. Jon has done a marvellous job capturing behind the scenes of Beowulf and Grendel. I find it as interesting as the film itself, they went through so much. I cannot wait for the Wrath Dvd to come out, so i can buy a copy.
Blondesquaw i have seen the site, it has wonderful graphics, very interesting indeed.
Rose
14 - blondesquaw
Hello Rose
The site has a great new look...
I am glad that you liked what you have seen of Wrath of Gods...
I agree with you that the making of a movie type film is sometimes even better than the movie...
I simply can't wait for new film festival dates and a new release date...
I can't wait to have the DVD...
Blondesquaw
15 - blondesquaw
The CBC braodcast was fantastic! I want the full length version now more than ever that will be on the DVD....
The site has updated the sample clips, and they are wonderful, this documentary is far more than the making of type, I was suprised when Isaw that it was a complete story all on its own, unbelievable what the film makers went through, but at the same time it made me laugh and laugh...
blondesquaw
16 - Joelle
Hello Blondesquaw and Rose! I love the Wrath of Gods site. As you know I was able to see Wrath on CBC and was blown away. Jon did an awesome job in showing what the cast and crew went through to make Beowulf and Grendel. Wrath is definitely a stand alone piece. I can't wait for the dvd.
Joelle
17 - blondesquaw
Hi Joelle
I have been excited about seeing this documentary for a long time....
After seeing Bewoulf and Grendel and loving it
I wanted to seee the documentary even more...
The CBC was great and I was blown away by what the cast and crew went through to make bewoulf and Grendel... I think it is a miracle that
it ever was completed....
I look forward to discussing the documentary with you after I see the full lenght version...
blondesquaw
18 - Rose
hi joelle and blondesquaw,
Nice to talk about beowulf and grendel with people who like it so much. I loved seeing the wrath site clips from the new wrath of gods documentary, makes me appreciate what they went through so much. Beowulf and grendel is quite different from the epic poem, but then it had to translate to screen and have a bit more of a story for modern day audiences.
Rose
19 - blondesquaw
It didn't bother me that it strayed a bit from the original...
I loved it and I love the documentary about it...
when ever will that release come....
I am hoping so soon.... I can wiat to see the full DVD
I really liked the costumes and weapons...
very authentic I thought...
Ruby