Just perfect...

How sad is this?

Although it has its amusing moments, in eneral the plot does not convince.

Great story, amazing characters, superb action, enthralling cinematography. Yes, this is something I am glad I spent money on.

A slightly chaotic attempt at gritty realism. Positives, the cinematography and lighting fit the tone and mood very well. Charlie Bewley ( Steinar ), the main protagonist produced a solid display in developing the character from morally centred to amoral psychopath and critically in keeping the character likable. Clive Standen ( Hagan ) also provided a reasonable turn in a supporting role even if his character, along with the majority of the rest were fatally under developed. Unfavourable comparisons with his infinitely more complex and developed character in popular series, Vikings are not unjustified. Regarding the negatives, its a case of where to begin. The soundtrack / score was abysmal. I applaud creative, inspiring new ideas however the idea to ditch the classical crescendo of a battle scene with a heady mix of electro / techno was poor and baffling. It did little to settle the chaotic camera visuals during the same scenes. Whilst I appreciate that hand held camera visuals can add to the chaotic nature and brutality of a battle scene here or there, here it added to the despondency of the story telling. The supporting roles were all hugely underdeveloped particularly the female characters with even the apparent lead female role having little or no development or substance. The finale sequence felt anti climatic and disengaging which unfortunately sums this film up. As numerous reviews point out the costume design also was bizarre at best, with a mix of attempted realism and odd symbolism. The whole film lacked depth and with no character development you felt little if any remorse or sympathy when anyone died and added to lacklustre and disenfranchised feeling. One to avoid, a wasted opportunity.

Relaxing in front of the TV with nothing to do I came across this little movie that someone appears to have vomited into existence. The cinematography is actually pretty good, the score is OK in parts but a bit OTT in others, costumes are passable, even the script is OK. It all falls apart on the story and the acting.1. Actors - Yep, a collection of guys from the pub with the barmaid thrown in all happy to give making a movie a punt.The lead with his 2012 haircut consisting of perfectly clipper-ed sides, squared sideburns, layered top cut and hair gel - completely consistent with an 800AD Viking prince. He just cannot carry this part. Does not have the screen presence to make it seem credible. It looks acted. It looks like he's copying the clichés. You just don't get a feeling that he is this guy at all, he's just playing him the way other z movie actors have done.Grim - Yes that is the name of this character. You might perhaps have seen a comparable performance on the football terraces at Milwall. Short stumpy guy with an axe, screaming and hacking at people, charging into fights like a yob, just gives no sense of the reality of 800AD warfare. No character development, just one of the pub crowd playing a Viking as a football thug. I was glad when this character died.As for the rest, Hagan was pretty good (infact he seemed the most credible of all the cast), the rest very forgettable.2. The story - well, lets just say its a bit silly. There isn't much of a story. Prince goes looking for his brother as king lays dying. Cue chance to see the pub acting team go wandering across what looks like Wales having a Viking slaughter fest every few minutes.Right from the get go it is cliché. Vikings coming out of the mist. They meet a band of Saxons and kill all of them without losing any of their own. Cue shots of the main characters chopping down, one, then two, then three of the throw away Saxon non entities. Cool, we've established that these Viking guys from the pub can sort of swing a sword and that they are fighting the local blind, drunk, deaf crowd from the nearby hospice that only attack one by one.With the hospice Saxons now dead, the pub Vikings can growl and make silly smiles then head off to find the wounded king.Gosh, I can't say much more but this movie other than for the cast to put this on your CV/resume probably has the same career potential of a skid mark down the page.

I am writing this comment because I believe that ratings are not doing justice with the film. User reviews are also not favorable and I believe otherwise. this movie is worth watching better then many higher rated movies.I started this movie not with any expectations but what I really got was amazing. In this movie the whole journey of the protagonist taught him as what to mean being a King. Stand for the righteous and punish the guilty whoever he is. this simple notion consist many essentials which the movie shows. but only for the person with some backbone. Not any action movie with a ideal scenario. It displays not only black and white areas but also the Grey ones. so my suggestion will be to see this movie, worth a shot if u r interested in kingship and meaning to rule.

I gotta say this movie i light years ahead of previous movies from the 50's or 60's. Scenery was wonderful, taking place in Saxon England. Historically, Bagsecg really did link up with Halfdan Ragnarsson for the battle against the Kingdom of Wessex. Halfdan and Ivar both Ragnarsson's were VERY successful in over running England. However... the writers toyed around with the TRUTH of Ivar the Boneless history and made him a joke, gay and just wandering about while the battles were taking place. THAT was a mortal sin.The other faux pas the writers made was jumping off about Hakan, apparently in a sexual relationship with Steinar's mother, his half-brother, with Steiner finding both living underground in a cave system with naked women and people who appear to have been leftovers from pagan England. They certainly were not Christians. That part of the whole story was a bit weird for me. However, I suppose it fits with the old man, Bagsecg, sending off Steinar to find the new King, himself, then leading on his return an army of 600+ to war on the Saxons.I liked that the sons of Ragnar were featured...somewhat in this movie, but they should have featured front and center with Steinar, not sidenotes. They were, the sons of Ragnar, a formidable force AND became major leaders of captured lands.If you're interested in a good adventure, some Viking action to fill the gap until the History Channel's new Season 2 of The Vikings is offered next Spring.. this movie will help a bit. But don't count on it too hard historically except to know there WAS a Viking King named Bagsecg, who DID win battles with Halfdan, a real Viking warrior.The acting is fine.. I know there's harsh criticism, but seriously its quite well done... This movie is NOT like the cartoonish jokes with huge gross inaccuracies like the Ernest Borgnine Ragnar of the 50's or The Long Ships with joke cracking idiocy. Its quite serious, character actors well chosen with each playing their parts seriously and convincingly, even and especially the Saxon soldiers and farmers. I WISH it had made a lot more money. They should really do another, better funded, better written sequel.