Rating: 
Summary: Fantastic movie that could have been even better
Review: This movie had the makings of an epic film that could have given competition to Lord of the Rings. It was a classic tale, with good casting and great costumes. The Viking band was reminiscient of the Seven Samurai or the Magnificent Seven. It was a little bit of a letdown when you realized the evil monsters were really just a bunch of cannibals, but they still turned out to be quite a challenge for the group of heroes. Had they not cut out so much of this movie, it would have been great, instead of just really good.A definite buy. You will enjoy watching this one over and over again.
Rating: 
Summary: A Classic Popcorn Movie for Those with Strong Stomachs
Review: I had the pleasure of catching this movie immediately after watching Akiro Kurosawa's "The Seven Samurai" (familiar to many Americans in its remake, "The Magnificent Seven"). The parallels between the two cannot be overstated. In "The 13th Warrior," 12 Vikings and an Arab envoy (Antonio Banderas) are recruited to aid another Norse tribes struggle against a horrible foe, the "eaters of the dead." As in "Samurai," a handful of fine warriors are charged with protecting a hapless village from an overwhelming foe, relying almost entirely on individual bravery and cunning. While the story is fairly straightforward, it shines in the way it portrays the cultural differences between Arab and Norseman without demeaning either. The combat is bloody but not excessively so, the camera does not dwell on gore. The cinematography is terrific, portraying the muddy hues of the far North's landscape in an appropriately somber fashion. One could pick away at a number of little inaccuracies ("Beowulf" written in the original Arabic?) but why bother? This is a great action movie which is accurate in a more significant fashion than most Hollywood movies---there are no sex scenes. Period. Pick up "The 13th Warrior" and you'll find 13 is a lucky number after all.
Rating: 
Summary: Seven Samurai meets Night of the Living Dead
Review: If you can accept the fact that Antonio Banderas is an Arab Muslim and that he learns to speak "viking-ese" after one night of watching his fellow warriors, than you will enjoy this flick based on Michael Chrichton's "Eaters of the Dead". Banderas is recruited into a band of warriors, despite his lack of true experience, who go off to fight a legion of cannibalistic creatures and protect the inhabitants of a small village. They're first tussle with the creatures is quick and brutal, and the creatures appear to be superhumanly powerful demons. The warriors catch on soon, though, and fortify their defenses Seven Samurai like. I enjoyed this movie, and thought it was quite exciting. The only flaw is the fact that everyone in the movie is supposed to be speaking in, what, swedish or something I guess, but instead of subtitling it, they go the easy way and let you appear to be understanding it in english. If it sounds weird, you'll see when you watch this flick. One of the things I liked, and I was a little surprised after having seen many epic medieval pieces where the main character is a lesser warrior than his companions, is that it's not up to Banderas to battle the vicious Head Warrior. Rather, this story is told more from Banderas' point of view as a novice soldier. One thing I don't understand, though, having never read the book...why is Banderas in his obvious lack of experience deemed a warrior? Maybe that witch just had a hunch...or maybe it's just a confection by the screenwriter. Beats me. Overall, a decent flick and worth seeing.
Rating:
Summary: UNUSUAL ACTION FILM...
Review: I first saw this film in the theatres when it was first released, and I remember being disappointed at the time, as I did not particularly care for it. It was shown on television cable channel last night, and I thought, why not give it a second go around. Well, I am certainly glad that I did, as I enjoyed the film much more the second time around and can affirmatively say that I like it.
While the film is apparently based upon Michael Crichton's book, "Eaters of the Dead", having not, as yet, read this book, I had no pre-conceived notions about the storyline and have no idea whether or not it is or is not a faithful adaptation. All I can say is that I found it to be an enjoyable, though unusual, action film. Moreover, I do love Antonio Banderas, and I thought that he was particularly dreamy in the role of Ahmad Ibin Fahdlan, a young and exceedingly handsome, well-educated Arab, a poet made an ambassador and exiled from his homeland for having coveted another man's wife.
Ahmed, accompanied by a wily older man, Melchisidek (Omar Sharif), and a band of Arabs, comes across a ragtag group of Norsemen on a ship. With Melchisidek translating for him, Ahmed befriends them when they briefly come ashore, and while with them, the Norsemen get a bit of bad news from home by way of a messenger. It seems that an ancient enemy whose name they cannot even speak aloud, (the Wendols), are savaging their countrymen, and the Norsemen need to get back in a hurry to help. An oracle is consulted, and it seems that thirteen warriors must go back in order to fight successfully this flesh eating enemy. The thirteenth warrior, however, must not be a Norseman. Thus, Ahmed is reluctantly conscripted to fight this ancient evil.
Ahmed goes with them on their ship, heading North, and quickly learning their language. He ends up bonding with the friendly Norseman, Herger the Joyous (Dennis Storhoi). When they arrive at their destination, they see the ravages left by the Wendols and prepare for war against these beast-like beings that they believe to be supernatural in origin, due to the sheer savagery of their methods. There is a reason why they are referred to as eaters of the dead. Ahmed, initially fearful, eventually goes from being squeamish and a quivering bowl of jello in the face of attack to being a stalwart and courageous warrior. This transformation occurs when he discovers that the enemy is not a demon from the dark side but, rather, just a man, though not quite like him.
Antonio Banderas gives a wonderful performance as the sensitive Ahmed, infusing the role with both subtlety and strength. Omar Sharif makes the most of his very brief screen appearance. Dennis Storhoi is terrific in the role of Ahmed's charismatic Norse friend, the intrepid, seasoned warrior, Herger the Joyous. Asides from being an action film, it is also a sort of buddy movie, as well. The Wendols are appropriately fearsome, and some of the cinematography is breathtaking. While some of the sub-plots are not fully fleshed out and a little puzzling, this does not unduly detract from the overall enjoyment of the film. Of course, the viewer would do well to suspend disbelief over Ahmed's seeming overnight learning of the Norsemen's language, as well as over the concept of cavemen riding on horseback. Still, notwithstanding some of these little bumps in the road, this is a film that those who like the action genre will enjoy.
Rating:
Summary: Gloomy, Atmospheric.
Review: The editorial reviewer compared this film unflatteringly to Braveheart, i actually think it is better.
What i love about this movie is the feel of it, the darkness and gloominess of the movie does an excellent job of transplanting us to those harsh times. I also enjoyed the stark contrast between the two different lands, the Arab kingdom looks warm and civilised and well ordered whereas the Norse kingdoms are harsh, rugged and cold. It is no wonder that Banderas' character accepts his mission to venture into Northern Europe with 12 wild norse warriors to slay an evil enemy somewhat ruefully. I enjoyed those parts of the film which dealt with ancient rituals and superstitions (such as the readings given by the two elderly witches at different points in the story), and the short description of the self sacrifice of a woman who's husband? has died, she falls into the flaming boat to be consumed with him. Together with the credible portrayal of feudal infighting at the Lords castle all these things do much to bring the story to life. An interesting thing this film tries to do is blur the boundary between myth/fantasy and reality, Ibn's amazing ability at learning languages quickly is one such event, another revolves around the story of the companions' nemesis, ie the act of killing two special members of the wildmen's tribe leading immediately to total defeat of the tribe (surely the tribe have other leaders?), such contradictions allow us to more easily be seduced by the atmosphere of the film and the director handles them well. Banderas does a good job with the Arab ambassador's role, nothing special, competent. His fellow actors do a good job with the roles of the Norsemen, particularly the guy who played their enigmatic, shy yet brave leader.
Rating: 
Summary: POINTLESS AND DULL
Review: Maybe I didn't watch the same movie, but I found THE 13TH WARRIOR incredibly pointless and dull. While filmed sumptuously and with a decent amount of action scenes, there was little substance in the plotting or in the limp characterizations. Who were these "eaters of the dead?" All of a sudden the Vikings are speaking English, obviously for the benefit of its audience since translator Omar Sharif wasn't going to be around to translate. Michael Crichton is a gifted writer, but I don't consider this one of his shining moments. Antonio Banderas wears much too much eye make up in the first part of the film and the gifted Diane Venora is wasted in what amounts to nothing more than a cameo role. Listless and lumbering, I don't recommend this one at all.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent!
Review: This is one of the few movies that I have been able to watch repeatedly without growing tired of it. I have read the review that suggests that it could have been fleshed out more into an epic (and that would have been great) but, as it is, I found that the story moved well and the action sequences were amazing.
I have heard some complaints from well-known movie critics regarding such things as "he wasn't a warrior but could suddenly fight" and "he learned the norse language very quickly". The thing is that this movie gives us all of the information that we require to reconcile everything that happens. We are told at the beginning that he is a minor noble working as a poet. This means that he is educated and has been trained in swordplay but (as he says) he is not a warrior, meaning that he has never been in actual battle. I took it that his gift with language aided him in learning the norse dialect. The movie was historically accurate right down to the Arabian horse that he was riding which, at that time, would have been a distict cut above any Eurasian horses in terms of speed and agility.
In response to another review on this board, he did not meet the vikings in Iraq but was up into Russia at the time and vikings are known to have travelled far into Asia on the river systems.
Rating:
Summary: What the hell is this?
Review: When oh when did the Vikings ever go to Iraq?
When did the Vikings ever fight Cavemen?
How does an Arab learn a Norse language sitting around a campfire?
How does an Arab design a cutlass from a two-handed Viking sword?
And for the record, that was the world's UGLIEST dog.
Rating:
Summary: flaws, schmaws
Review: Flaws, ok. Could it be longer? yes. We own over 600 movies; this is still the one I stick in the dvd player when I want to escape, and be entertained.
Rating:
Summary: Darkness' People.
Review: Some years before seeing this film I had read Michael Crichton's "Eaters of the Dead" and thought it will suit a good screenplay. So I wasn't surprised with what I found.
I'm always interested when men of different cultures get in touch and interact to finally discover valuable qualities in each other. Here this is only part of the story: an exiled Arab nobleman forced to participate in a war party conducted by ruthless Viking warriors.
The other part is how these improbable allies confront with mysterious Dark Forces that threaten a village.
As other reviewers point out, there are significant differences between the book and the movie. But taking into account that Crichton has produced and directed some re-shoots of the film, I'm quite certain that the final product is not intrinsically conflicting with what the author tried to communicate.
*** Beginning spoilers. ***
The fact that in the book the Dark Forces are a small Neanderthal band and the film shows a greater force of Cavemen, is just a way to avoid heavy make-up.
Nevertheless, all the scenes featuring the Cavemen are filmed by night or in dark caverns, allowing the imagination of the viewers to attribute the "brutes" whatever traits suit them.
*** Ending spoilers ***
Banderas as Ahmed, Vladimir Kulich as Buliwyf and Dennis Storhoi as Herger the Joyous give a very good performance.
Action scenes are very well filmed with enough stamina to satisfy genre fans.
Enjoy without pretending to witness a "deep thoughtful" film!
Reviewed by Max Yofre.
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