After seeing the current "Beowulf" release this weekend, I feel it's time to watch "The 13th Warrior" again soon. "Beowulf" in many ways stays closer to the original story, but doesn't even come close to competing with "13th" as my favorite screen adaptation of the story. The biggest difference? "13th," unlike so many modern movies, allows Beowulf to be what he's supposed to be -- a HERO.
That's one of the big things I've always liked about "13th" too, and maybe it helps that the Beowulf characters isn't the protagonist of the tale, so you get to see him through other eyes. I really liked that "13th" showed the hero not just as a hero, but as a leader, and a respected one at that. I don't expect my heros, or leaders, to be perfect, but it's nice to see one who is aware of his own abilities but without being a blowhard about it.
Well . . . guess I gotta admit something: I never knew "13th" was a Beowulf movie. All right, all right, don't shoot me, stab me, or hang me.
I didn't. Even with the IMDB plot summary I just read and my foggy memory of the movie, I'm still not seeing it, but if you say so . . .
If it is, it's the best Beowulf movie I've seen; otherwise, it's just an okay movie for me. Nothing to complain about, but I've never rewatched it nor recommended it to anyone. So are you thinking I should rewatch, Ty?
“The 13th Warrior” is actually the movie version of a Crichton book called “Eaters of the Dead.” Crichton’s novel is a fictional account from an Arab’s point-of-view of the Beowulf story. So, “13th Warrior” is kind of and kind of not a Beowulf story.
Oh, and yeah, I think it’s worth watching. I’m not saying it’s the greatest movie ever, but I do think it has some great lines and great scenes and great characters.
yeah, I knew it was based on the Eaters of the Dead. and there were good scenes in there and it is better than many other quasi-period or genre movies. i probably would watch it again, even add it to the collection, at least based upon your recommendation like this
After seeing the current "Beowulf" release this weekend, I feel it's time to watch "The 13th Warrior" again soon.
ReplyDelete"Beowulf" in many ways stays closer to the original story, but doesn't even come close to competing with "13th" as my favorite screen adaptation of the story.
The biggest difference? "13th," unlike so many modern movies, allows Beowulf to be what he's supposed to be -- a HERO.
That's one of the big things I've always liked about "13th" too, and maybe it helps that the Beowulf characters isn't the protagonist of the tale, so you get to see him through other eyes. I really liked that "13th" showed the hero not just as a hero, but as a leader, and a respected one at that. I don't expect my heros, or leaders, to be perfect, but it's nice to see one who is aware of his own abilities but without being a blowhard about it.
ReplyDeleteWell . . . guess I gotta admit something: I never knew "13th" was a Beowulf movie. All right, all right, don't shoot me, stab me, or hang me.
ReplyDeleteI didn't. Even with the IMDB plot summary I just read and my foggy memory of the movie, I'm still not seeing it, but if you say so . . .
If it is, it's the best Beowulf movie I've seen; otherwise, it's just an okay movie for me. Nothing to complain about, but I've never rewatched it nor recommended it to anyone. So are you thinking I should rewatch, Ty?
“The 13th Warrior” is actually the movie version of a Crichton book called “Eaters of the Dead.” Crichton’s novel is a fictional account from an Arab’s point-of-view of the Beowulf story. So, “13th Warrior” is kind of and kind of not a Beowulf story.
ReplyDeleteOh, and yeah, I think it’s worth watching. I’m not saying it’s the greatest movie ever, but I do think it has some great lines and great scenes and great characters.
ReplyDeleteyeah, I knew it was based on the Eaters of the Dead. and there were good scenes in there and it is better than many other quasi-period or genre movies. i probably would watch it again, even add it to the collection, at least based upon your recommendation like this
ReplyDelete