Plot Details: This opinion reveals minor details about the movie's plot.

Ibn: Merciful Father, I have squandered my days with plans of many things. This was not among them. But at this moment, I beg only to live the next few minutes well. For all we ought to have thought, and have not thought; all we ought to have said, and have not said; all we ought to have done, and have not done; I pray thee God for forgiveness.

13th Warrior 1999

Written Michael Crichton in his 1976 book, Eaters Of The Dead
Directed By John McTiernan
Antonio Banderas .... Ahmed Ibn Fahdlan Ibn Al Abbas Ibn Rashid Ibn Hamad
Vladimir Kulich .... Buliwyf
Dennis Storhøi .... Herger the Joyous

Storyline / Plot

Ibn (Antonio Banderas) is a poet that has been exiled from Baghdad for seeking pleasures of the flesh with the wrong women. During his travels north, he runs across a band of Viking explorers / invaders. Ebn is perplexed and intrigued by these Viking barbarians. Their ways religion and daily routines are very different from anything that he has ever known. After spending a few days with the Vikings another Viking ship arrives from their homeland. This ship has sent word that one of their fellow Norwegian villages has come under attack by an ancient evil. This evil is so frightening to the Vikings that it’s very name must not be spoken out loud.

The Viking pagans turned to their witch doctor and her runes for spiritual advice on what they should do. The witch rolled the bones and the bones said that there must be 13 warriors sent to aid the village and one would not be a Viking. This could only mean one thing, The 13th Warrior would be Ebn. Over the next few months Ebn would see things more horrible than he could imagine. He would leave the life of a Arabian poet and become The 13th Warrior .

Conclusion

The 13th Warrior is among my favorite movies. It seems that people either immensely enjoy or hate this film. I for one really enjoy this film. It is one of those movies that I will get out once every six months and watch. The plot was very original. I have never seen a movie quite like The 13th Warrior . The acting, plot, script ,score and directing are all solid. Especially noteworthy were the performances of Antonio Banderas, Vladimir Kulich and Dennis Storhøi. The 13th Warrior is the only film that I have seen the later of the three actors in and they were excellent. Some people did not care for the script or the many characters that were involved in the movie. I thought the script went along with the plot and the character development just fine. As a matter of fact, I really enjoyed the character development of the main six or seven characters in the film. The score was very well done. Crichton did not like the first score that was developed, so he dropped the score composed by Graeme Revell, and hired Jerry Goldsmith to compose a newer, better score, appropriately called, 13th Warrior.

Another reason that people liked and disliked the film was the atmosphere that McTiernan was able to create during the film. The film had a dark, dreary and sometimes dreadful feeling to it. That atmosphere was exactly the feel that he was attempting to capture and he does it quite well in this film. Some viewers do not care for this aspect of the film. I thought it added to the effect and quality of the movie. The cinematography was beautifully done. I would recommend The 13th Warrior to anyone who enjoys the action / adventure genre. Fans of Banderas, Vikings and Norwegian folklore should also see The 13th Warrior .


Quotes from The 13th Warrior

Buliwyf : 'Lo, there do I see my father. 'Lo, there do I see...
Herger the Joyous : My mother, and my sisters, and my brothers.
Buliwyf : 'Lo, there do I see...
Herger the Joyous : The line of my people...
Edgtho the Silent : Back to the beginning.
Weath the Musician : 'Lo, they do call to me.
Ahmed Ibn Fahdlan : They bid me take my place among them.
Buliwyf : In the halls of Valhalla...
Ahmed Ibn Fahdlan : Where the brave...
Herger the Joyous : May live...
Ahmed Ibn Fahdlan : ...forever.
-------
Ahmed Ibn Fahdlan : I am not a warrior.
Herger the Joyous : Very soon, you will be.

Similar Movies

• The Northsmen
• The Vikings


RUNTIME 1 hour 42 minutes
Rated: [R] Rated R for bloody battles and carnage

Thanks for the read,
~Mac

©2004 Joe McMaster

Recommended: Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older