Product description

The 13th Warrior [DVD] [1999]

Price: £3.98
RRP: £15.99 This item Delivered FREE in the UK with Super Saver Delivery
You save: £12.01 (75 %)
Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours
Average customer rating: 4.0

Binding : DVD
EAN : 5017188881623
Label : Touchstone Home Video
Manufacturer : Touchstone Home Video
Publisher : Touchstone Home Video
Release date : 2000-02-28
Title : The 13th Warrior [DVD] [1999]
Actor : Array
Audience rating : Suitable for 15 years and over
Format : PAL
Languages : Array
Number of items : 1
Original release date : 1999-09-03
Region code : 2
Running time : 98
Studio : Touchstone Home Video
Theatrical releaseDate : 1999-08-27
Number of discs : 1

Editorial reviews

Amazon.co.uk Review
What happened to IThe 13th Warrior/I? Directed by John McTiernan (iDie Hard/i), it's the tale of young Arab ambassador Ahmahd ibn Fahdalan (Antonio Banderas), who's banished from his homeland for loving the wrong woman. On his journeys he associates with a ragtag group of Vikings who are travelling back to their homeland to confront a nefarious threat that's cloaked in such superstition they're forbidden to speak its name. It is prophesied by a witch doctor that 13 warriors must confront the evil; however, the 13th chosen man must not come from the north. Suddenly Banderas is forced into the breach, somewhat against his will. More poet than battle-worn warrior, he must not only fight the aggressors but come to terms with the unfamiliar Norse culture. What follows is a vigorous and brutal adventure reminiscent of Kurosawa's iSeven Samurai/i. p Sumptuous and invigorating battle sequences fill the screen from beginning to end as the brave Norsemen battle insurmountable odds. Sounds good. So why did this film, once known as the IEaters of the Dead/I, sit on studio shelves for two years? Presumably because of the thoughtless editing that trimmed down the film to its bare bones, crafting an actionfest out of an epic. It's not often that you crave for a movie to be longer, but IThe 13th Warrior/I would have benefited from fleshing out of its subplots and characters. On the surface it's good eye candy with some fine pulse-quickening moments, and Banderas and the accompanying cast turn in sympathetic performances, epitomising camaraderie in the face of impending doom. However, if you're looking for a good thematic tale from the Dark Ages (akin to iBraveheart/i), you may be disappointed. --IJeremy Storey/I

Customer reviews

review by: date: 2009-06-11 rating:

No plot, isn't that something of a problem?
I was keen to watch this but was quite disappointed. br /There wasn't really a plot. That is - he's selected as the 13th warrior and just says 'OK, I'll come with you'. Then he fights some monsters. Then that's it. I never got the idea that any of his choices made any difference to the outcome of the film. There was no real conflict here, just cardboard monsters. It just wasn't exciting. br /Also, the Vikings were only mildly authentic. I kept thinking 'he's been in the east, he could have got that plate armour, couldn't he? Or the studded gloves.' At least there were no horns on the helmets. THe prophetess was straight out of Monty Python. br /Two stars just because it was good to see Omar Sharif with the towel back on his head. Now Lawrence of Arabia - that's an action movie. br /

review by: date: 2009-05-01 rating:

An action movie where the heroes are fallible.
I loved the book 'Eaters of the Dead' which I read way back in the 1970s. The film is very, very close to the book: however, I was surprised that they chose such an anodyne title for the film. br / br /It is such a relief to see action sequences that are absurdly dominated by unbelievable 'Rambo'/'Die Hard' type heroes, but by human beings with faults as well as strengths.

review by: Trancewarriors date: 2008-09-25 rating:

Superb!
This has been consistantly my favourite film for a long time. I don't know why? I have watched it six or seven times, always enjoying it, the story is pacey, there's humour, action, and loads more. Banderas shouldn't fit but does and gives, for me, his best performance in a film. Buy with confidence, fills loads of genres, action, adventure, fantasy, heroic fantasy, etc etc. Enjoy.

review by: Taodave date: 2008-09-16 rating:

Beards, rain, pine and mist...
Why do i enjoy this film so much? I absolutely love it. The soundtrack really supports the action of which there is a plenty. Beautiful picture, sharp and colourful. A good story which is pushed along by colourful and interesting characters. Superstition and myth alongside good old fashioned bravery and sheer tempus fugit. Banderas is surprisingly good in the lead role, but he is surrounded by very enjoyable performances. I have watched this over and over and still really enjoy it. 8.5/10

review by: Symphonic Metal Fan date: 2008-05-09 rating:

GREAT FILM, SHAMEFUL LACK OF BONUS FEATURES...
I love this film, i mean LOVE it. Historical Fantasy at its very best. br /Its easily as good as The Vikings (1958), better than Pathfinder (which i do like!) nearly as good as Excalibur (1981). br /Plenty of action, interesting Nordic characters, great locations, moody cinematography, atmospheric sets, decent FX and more than enough blood severed limbs! br /Its not a fantasy film as explicitly as Conan The Barbarian or Lord Of The Rings - Its more like Pathfinder or Troy in that sense, walking that fine line between history legend. The Wendol creatures that the Viking warriors wage a brutal war against are not really monsters per se but you'd have a hard time classing them strictly as men. They are best described as a warrior race of cannibalistic, neanderthals that live mostly underground, venturing out in large raiding parties on horseback to ravage the surrounding villages. The climactic battle is epic violent with some stirring music all the blood and thunder imagery that you could hope for! Check out the 'Fire Serpent'... br /Hell, even Antonio Banderas as the eponymous 13th Warrior is very good in this! br /What lets the DVD down though is the complete absence of any Special Features - there is absoluteley zero - its just as well the film is so good but a Special Edition is LONG overdue...

Similar products

Sword Of Xanten [DVD] [2004]
The Last Legion [DVD] [2007]
Mongol - The Rise To Power Of Genghis Khan [DVD] [2008]
Pathfinder [DVD] [2007]
Excalibur [1981] [DVD]

Similar categories