A double feature this week as I tackle the star studded
Prince of Jutland and the animated short
The Saga of Biorn Prince of Jutland(1994) Gabriel Axel - Hamlet: Prince of Denmark, loser of sanity, committer of regicide, matricide, friendicide and lovericide as well as all round scourge to high school english students. The famous Shakespeare play has seen countless performances and interpretations since it's initial debut sometime in the early 1600's(that's not me being lazy, historical records aren't clear on when it first was performed). This take on the legend however is based upon the Danish legend chiefly summarized by Saxo Grammaticus(which is a damn fine name for a writer) in the 13th century. Which in all honesty after a brief overview of it doesn't seem a whole lot more different than the Shakespeare version. So I guess that information isn't all that relevant but if nothing else at least you've learned something.
The film is bolstered by a strong cast including Christian Bale, Gabriel Byrne, Helen Mirren, Brian Cox, Tom Wilkinson, Andy Serkis and Kate Beckinsale(who made her big screen debut in the previous years Shakespeare adaptation
Much Ado Abou Nothing). Though for all the difference it makes they could have been replaced by 10th grade drama students for the amount of gravitas they bring to their roles. Except Kate Beckinsale, she can stay
She can stay in all the filmsNoble King Hardvendel (Wilkinson) enjoys nothing more than hunting, being adored by his subjects and a fruitful life of not being stabbed. His younger brother Fenge(played by the perpetually schemey looking Gabriel Byrne) however is a jealous, treacherous, scheming and stabby usurper to the throne. Early on he outlines his desire and belief that he is the rightful king, "Cause I want it" is basically how it's explained, in a hurried bit of exposition that manages to somehow throw in some
entirely needless female nudity. I almost have to applaud the filmmaker for his complete unwillingness to fit the nudity into the plot in any way, it's like the editor accidently spliced in some soft-core porn. Upon witnessing the death of his father Prince Amled(Bale) and rightful heir to the throne descends into an instant mental breakdown complete with farm animal noises and hysterical laughing.
Not sure if scheming or headacheAnd herein lies the problem with the film. There are various shortcomings in the production quality, budgeting,etc. Hiring a few more extras would have made the scenes of the Kings funeral and the new Kings coronation seem a bit more regal and of importance as it stands it looks like they govern over a moderate sized village. And some awkward staging and editing including at least one scene that looked like the director yelled action and no one heard him or reacted for a few seconds. On a smaller film like this those can be overlooked(to an extent) if the content is engaging enough. While the source material certainly provides for an interesting story at the core of a tale like this is the characters and they are never really explored in any sort of meaningful way. Christian Bale gets to do the most with his character as he seeks revenge against his uncle and slips in and out his trauma induced insanity to play others against each other. But why is Byrnes character driven to murder his own flesh and blood to gain the throne? Because the story needs it. Why does Helen Mirren fall in love with the murderer of her husband? Because that's what the legend says what happened. Why is Kate Beckinsale so pretty? Because genetics are wonderful.
"Bogus analysis dude!" "Like totally bro"So little time is spent exploring the characters motives and passions. You know what they want or what they are doing but only in the most elementary of fashions. The source material explores the ideas of mental illness, revenge, betrayal and other now classic mainstays of modern fiction.
Prince of Jutland gives us a basic tale of vengeance with little depth and even less visceral entertainment to make up for it. Plus this movie made me do more research on
Hamlet than I probably did in high school, and that's just not cool.
Overall: 4/10Well that was a roaring success to start this marathon
The Saga of Biorn(short film)(2011) -"Some might ask who is this viking and what made him throw a dwarf off a cliff?" thus begins
The Saga of Biorn Another story from Denmark but this time in animated form and about 80 minutes shorter so if it's as bad as the last film it will be much less of a chore to get through. Spoiler: It's not.
"No you come down here"Presented in a unique and beautiful looking art style our titular hero desires nothing more than a glorious death in battle so as to gain entrance to the fabled halls of Valhalla, which thanks to this film I learned is actually pronounced Valhöll in Old Norse. It's a funny yet somewhat touching tale as he seeks out a worthy opponent to hopefully best him in armed combat. Given it's short run time there is not much to say without spoiling the film. Suffice it to say I enjoyed it immensely both presentation and story wise and the ending produced a laugh along with a bit of commentary on the Gods of old and new.
"Biorn wants adulation!!"The Saga of Biorn can be viewed
HereOverall: 8/10Well going one for two isn't all that bad I guess.