Valhalla Rising (2009)

Directed by Nicolas Winding Refn

Written by Roy Jacobsen & Nicolas Winding Refn

Co-starring Jamie Sives, Maarten Stevenson, Alexander Morton and Gary Lewis



Firstly, it has to be said that rarely is a film so shamefully misrepresented by film marketing artwork as Valhalla Rising. Please don’t be misled by the gaudy images on the front cover of the DVD, a blatant masquerade of Zack Snyder’s ‘300’ ... ‘300’ this film is not. There are no hordes of bloodthirsty warriors, no spectacular epic battles; Mads’ character doesn’t even wield the broadsword so absurdly

photo-shopped into his hand. Never has the old saying ‘don’t judge a book by its cover’ - or in this case DVD - applied so fittingly, as here.

In actual fact, this courageous vision from Nicolas Winding Refn is a slow, simmering tale of brutality and beauty.

Mads portrays ‘One Eye’, a mute slave of unprecedented strength and ability, who is used in brutal gladiatorial combat for the entertainment and monetary gain of his Chieftain captor. Kept chained and caged, ‘One-Eye’ eventually finds a means of escape and takes off on a relentlessly dark journey through spectacularly savage landscapes, followed by the small boy ‘Are’ (Maarten Stevenson) who had fed and cared for him whilst in captivity.

Valhalla Rising is a difficult film to categorize. It is both viciously violent and spectacularly art house. Nicolas Winding Refn’s story telling style as always is effortless and unique. The cinematography is breath taking, the musical score brooding, the acting superb. It is not a film for everyone, but for those of you who appreciate a film experience far beyond that of pizza and beer entertainment, this non-loquacious, thought-provoking and haunting story will not disappoint.





Winner of the following awards to date -

International Fantasy Film Awards 2010

Special Mention – Nicolas Winding Refn

Special Jury Award – Nicolas Winding Refn

by Jacqui

Links:
    Gallery
    IMDb
    Valhalla Rising: On Set
    Valhalla Rising: Video Diary


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