Rating: 
Summary: Edited into oblivion
Review: There is a bottom to the seemingly endless barrel of Michael Crichton stories, and this it. McTiernan scrapes the dregs into an alleged period-action film which will challenge the standards of even the most hardened B-movie enthusiast. Not even the tongue-in-cheek brooding of Antonio Banderas can save this from itself. Which is a shame, because there are vestiges of something good here: a poet forced into physical heroism, and into a primitive culture. Interesting stuff for a literary novel, and perhaps for a film on a more epic (or more subtle) scale. But in actionfest format, it fails. Whole slabs of plot and character development seem to have been excised to make way for action or trifling, insignificant scenes. So when the moving moments come, we're left wondering who just died and why we should care. It's almost as if the master edit was lost and sweepings from the cutting room floor have been cobbled together for release. Did nervous executives trim something better into a 100-minute summer film and destroy it in the process? Surely that could never happen in Hollywood. To be fair, Crichton apparently counselled McTiernan against attempting to adapt this epic, but they forged ahead regardless. With the benefit of hindsight, viewers should be more cautious.
Rating:
Summary: Very weak movie
Review: I am surprised that one of the top movies that people buy when buying this movie ... is Braveheart. Braveheart, in my opinion, is the best movie ever made. The 13th Warrior was advertised as a Braveheart-type movie, but falls way short.The acting is weak, the plot is questionable, and the ending is thrown together and silly (if I had ended a high school paper this way, my teacher would probably have thrown it back to me). Banderas is a decent actor, but not capable of carrying this movie. If you are in the mood for a marginal Medeival-type action movie, this would be bearable. If you are looking for a well-thought out movie, or if you are expecting an epic, you will be very disappointed. I know a lot of people rated this pretty well, but I just don't get it.
Rating: 
Summary: A Norse Saga
Review: "The 13th Warrior" is set in the days of the Vikings long ago. The story is told from the perspective of a Muslim poet who was banished from the royal court due to a jealousy. He is sent as a diplomat to serve as ambassador with the people to the far north, in an effort to keep him as far away as possible. The northern lands are the lands of the Vikings. If you have ever read "Beowulf," then much of this will ring a bell. A group of heroes are asked to come help a village who is tormented by demons. After the bones have been cast, 13 warriors must sail to the rescue. The 13th must not be a Viking, so the Muslim ambassador, played by Banderas, joins the mission. We will see him grow to become man as he joins in the adventure. Seeing the poet learn about the Viking culture is a lesson for us also. Their learning about him was just as enjoyable. The action from the fighting or the mystery of their foe is well worth the time spent to watch the movie. I would recommend watching this movie.
Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable...
Review: I agree with most of the reviewers that this movie is too short. I have a hunch that a lot of good stuff ended up on the cutting room floor. I have read the book and once you get used to the style in which it is written it is an enjoyable read. When I first viewed the movie (13th Warrior), I did not realize it was taken from "Eaters of the Dead" till I was halfway thru the show.I think the actors turned in solid performances and Antonio Bandaras gives a fine perfromance. I list this as one of my favorite movies for watching on bad weather days.
Rating:
Summary: The 13th Warrior
Review: Ahmed Ibn Fahdlan Ibn Al Abbas Ibn Rasid Ibn Hammad (Antonio Banderas) or Eban for short, falls in love with a beautiful woman who it turns out belongs to another man. Her jealous husband complains to the Caliph, who makes Eban the Muslim emissary to the land of the Tossuk Ulad, a country far to the North. While journeying to the North, Eban and his companion Melchisidek (Omar Sharif) come across a Viking encampment. There they are celebrating the "funeral" of their late King. At first, Eban finds the Vikings rowdy and sometimes unpleasant, however, in time he develops an understanding and respect for the Viking warriors and is welcomed into their society by their leader, Buliwyf (Vladimir Kulich). Word reaches the group that Buliwyf's homeland is being ravaged by The Wendol, an invading force monsters/men that will destroy and eat anything in their path - including the flesh of the men they have killed. The Northmen must return home to defend their land from this menace, and discover what they truly are. However, before they leave, an oracle informs them that 13 warriors must be chosen to return to the North. Just as the 12th warrior volunteers, they are told that the 13th Warrior must be an outsider. Now whom can they get to accompany them on their quest?
The film builds a nice bit of suspense and atmosphere around the Wendol by not revealing their true nature until late in the film, while showing us some of their handy work early on. There is also plenty of gore and decapitations. The film uses very natural lighting, which gives The 13th Warrior a more authentic feel. While some of the battles take place at night and are hard to see, this helps add to the confusion caused by the Wendols' attacks. The battle scenes are definitely the film's strongest point, though, and the action is really good. If there is a failing, it's the fact many of the characters are underdeveloped. The film features 13 warriors (duh) and believe me by the end you'll be hard pressed to remember half of them. Granted, their numbers are constantly being whittled down so they don't have much screen time, but an effort to develop them a bit more would have paid off. The film is also photographed beautifully and features gorgeous sprawling landscapes, and Antonio Banderas (for the most part) does a good job playing the stranger in a strange land. Definitely worth checking out even though it was mostly overlooked when it first came out.
Rating: 
Summary: Top 10 Movies Of All Time
Review: The 13th Warrior is a great movie. It follows the journey of Ahmad Ibn Fahdlan, an Arab, through the Northlands, and his encounters with the people there. Though not completely accurate, this movie is based upon the book "Eaters of the Dead", a translation of a manuscript (written by a real Ahmad Ibd Fahdlan), written around 1000 AD. For those familiar with the norse epic Beowulf, it is actually part of the same story. Grendol and his mother are the Wendol, and it takes place in King Rothgar's land, etc. I cannot stress it enough that to truly enjoy this movie, and everything it has to offer, read "Eaters of the Dead". it is short, and thoroughly engrossing. an excellent read by a superb author. Otherwise, this movie will only hold your attention if you are in to the medieval/viking themed action movies.
Rating:
Summary: Very gritty and strong, Banderas impressed me
Review: I read the book before I saw the movie and as far as books into movies go - this interpretation was very good. And Banderas played his character very well. I'm not a big fan of Banderas but I believe his acting actually shines through in this film.
Rating: 
Summary: See Seven Samurai Instead!
Review: Did Michael Crichton ever come out and admit that he stole most of this story from "The Seven Samurai"? Because the parallels are indisputable: A small (enumerated) band of sword-wielding warriors comes to the defense of a town ravaged by another gang of evil warriors. They build a fence and gate around the perimeter of the village, with wooden spikes pointing outwards. They go to the "old person" for guidance and wisdom. They leave the confines of the village to perform a surprise attack on the enemy camp/cave, losing a man or two in the process. The final decisive battle takes place at the village again, during a torrential down-pour. I just described both movies simultaneously!!! The difference is, Seven Samurai was better written, better acted, and better directed.
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding Historical Adventure
Review: This is an excellent action/adventure pic with the added bonus of Vikings. Yes, Yes there are many historical inacuracies (my personal favorite is the map at the start of the film that locates Baghdad in the Caucasus Mtns). but hey it's just a movie, and it's a lot of fun. Lots of great sword play with a night attack scene that is outstanding
Rating:
Summary: Magnificent In Every Sense
Review: The 13'th Warrior is extremely well made. With large scale production sets, to amazing editing, a beautifully rendered score accompanied by immaculate acting....this is one of those movies that overflows with flawless talent. The film is edited with overwhelming precision. The Cast is solid and act with a natural ease. The plot never strays from the point...keeps building upon itself which gives it an intense strength and magnitude. Antonio Banderas acts his part with a kind of ingenuity that clearly states why he's at the top. Very impressive.
This is one of only two films I found can be watched over and over again without losing any value, and in fact gaining magnificents. The other being John Carpenter's "The Thing". Somehow these two films manage to completely enthrall and emerse me in their worlds each time. This film is SO well done, and SO entertaining with the highest replay value, that The 13'th Warrior is sure to impress any who truly understand what real films with real talent, are supposed to be about. The movie displayes the highest Inventive skill and imagination along with the most ingeniously clever design. This is a winner.
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