Beowulf is based on the untitled poem dating to 700 AD that has come to be known as "Beowulf." That has a nice symmetry, doesn't it? Anyway, the original epic poem is the oldest known work of Anglo-Saxon literature. It tells the story of a hero who fought a creature called Grendel before facing off with the creature's mother, and then later in life battling a dragon.
There are likely many of you who have read the story at some point, probably as part of a high school English class; that's how I came into first contact with the work. Of course, I was not much of an English class fan in high school and have very little memory of the tale. My memory begins and ends with the Geat hero battling Grendel; I do not remember anything about Grendel's mum nor a dragon. I guess I should go back and do some reading.
This new version is somewhat true to the original, although some details have been "adjusted" and other pieces added in an effort to make the exercise a bit more cinematic. Much like adapting a traditional novel, things will need to be changed in the service of a different, visual medium. The end result may not be as classic as the original tale, but it is no less entertaining as big screen spectacle.
This is not the first time the tale has been adapted to the screen. Two other versions come to mind. First is Beowulf released back in 1999; it was turned into a science fiction vision starring Highlander star Christopher Lambert. I've never seen it, though I am curious. The other is the 2005 film entitled Beowulf & Grendel starring 300's Gerard Butler as the Geat of legend. That one I have seen, and while it was not all that great, it did offer an interesting take. It presented the story as being real, documented by one of their number, thus birthing the legend. This new animated feature is probably the closest to the source material.
Beowulf is a tale of myth and legend. There are no attempts made to present this as a real story; no facade is built to disguise the mythic qualities. The creative team does not attempt to present this as reality. In other words, this is not Troy, which made the misguided choice of telling Homer's tale of Achilles as if it were a historical fact rather than a legend involving god-like characters. So, do not expect Beowulf to be anything but an overblown morality play. It is larger than life, as well it should be. Of recent cinema it can most closely be likened to 300, which was all about the creation of legend rather than the re-creation of reality.
Article comments
1 - Damien
Nice review! Can't wait to see it.