Review of The 13th Warrior (1999) by Bryce C — 20 Sep 2012

Exciting movie. Keeps you on your toes the whole way through. Great storyline as well. The whole concept... it makes me shudder to think how something like the could have happened. Humanity is a curious and wonderful thing. We are capable of anything. John McTiernan and Antonio Banderas teamed up were able to really capture that side of human psyche. The plentiful battle scenes had me gripping my seat a bit tighter, anticipating the next to come!

Set in around the 1st century AD, a muslim emissary (Antonio Banderas) comes into contact with a group of Viking encampment, their two backgrounds greatly differing. Soon after arriving, an ominous message is delivered from a distant land, inhabited by a Viking kingdom. An ancient evil has befallen the land, and Banderas goes to the aid with his new band of brutes.

I really enjoyed watching the transformation of the prim and well spoken emissary to the battle worn, fearless 13th warrior! McTiernan did stellar job incorporating that into the story and cinematography. It really adds a lot of depth to the film, making it more than just a blood soaked horror story.