Author Topic: The 13th Warrior / Eaters of the Dead? (Read 751 times)

lasersailor184 · « **on:** February 20, 2005, 12:31:24 AM »

I heard somewhere that the 13th warrior was made out of the book Eaters of the Dead by Mike Chrichton.

Is it any good?

wombatt · « **Reply #1 on:** February 20, 2005, 12:32:49 AM »

Yep same guy.
The book is way better but the movie was ok.
Nothing great just ok.

Tarmac · « **Reply #2 on:** February 20, 2005, 12:55:32 AM »

I haven't seen the movie. The book wasn't one of Crichton's better ones, but it was still decent.

Siaf__csf · « **Reply #3 on:** February 20, 2005, 01:21:14 AM »

I've had the movie for about 3 years or so, still haven't bothered to watch it through.. It seemed very dark and unimpressive to me.

jigsaw · « **Reply #4 on:** February 20, 2005, 01:38:21 AM »

Haven't read the book, but have the DVD. It's a decent flick. Nothing incredible, but that's part of what I like about it. Doesn't try to be a pretentious over the top epic story.

Also think it's one of the better roles I've seen Antonio Banderas in for the same reasons. He's not trying to be some sword swinging super hero. He's just a guy in the movie.

Raider179 · « **Reply #5 on:** February 20, 2005, 01:46:51 AM »

I kinda liked that movie. Had no idea it was chrichton. Would imagine the book is a lot better. That kind of movie, something about your imagination will always be better than what hollywood can do.

Pongo · « **Reply #6 on:** February 20, 2005, 02:32:25 AM »

I read the book and thought it was a 4 out of 10
saw the movie and thought it was a 5 out of 10.

oboe · « **Reply #7 on:** February 20, 2005, 07:32:56 AM »

I thought it was a very good movie. I have never read the book.

I thought the movie was well done on a couple points:

1) the authenticity of the Norsemen's equipment, attitudes, way of life, etc. There weren't any unbelieveable characters.

2) Bandera's character, though the hero of the story, was not "the best" at everything the way many movie heros are made out to be - he did what he could as he tried to adjust to the Norse way of life and being thrown into an impossible battle against fiendish creatures.

3) I really liked the way they portrayed Banderas learning the language as he travelled with the Norsemen. No subtitles to benefit the viewer; we struggled right along with him, trying to figure out what they were talking about. But as he learned more and more of the language, more of the dialogue was spoken in English - it was a well-done, gradual transition.

Anyway, I gave this one a 4 out of 5. To me it was like watching a Dark Ages version of Saving Private Ryan.

DiabloTX · « **Reply #8 on:** February 20, 2005, 08:38:20 AM »

It's actually Crichton's retelling of Beowulf (Buliwyf). I was not that impressed with the movie but it's one of those that the more you watch the better is it. Now it's one of my fave's. The mood and tone in the movie is awesome. The contrast in cultures is really stark.

Mini D · « **Reply #9 on:** February 20, 2005, 08:42:57 AM »

Oboe summed the movie up nicely. I'd give it 6/10. Actually, it's a 9/10 when compared to what's been released over the last 2 months.

spitfiremkv · « **Reply #10 on:** February 20, 2005, 09:07:29 AM »

I haven't rwad the book, but I enjoyed the movie thoroughly. It conveys the terror of waiting for an enemy the you can't even see coming really well.
Banderas was pretty decent in this movie, though not as good as in Interview with a Vampire. The supporting actors were excellent though, especially the guy that gets killed at the end in the final attack.
All in all, it really takes you back to the dark ages when superstition ruled the western world and the center of civilization, art and science was in the Middle East.My how things change in 1000 years ...

lasersailor184 · « **Reply #11 on:** February 20, 2005, 09:44:32 AM »

Wow, quite mixed reviews.

I am intrigued though, gonna have to stop by the bookstore (if I can find it again).

OIO · « **Reply #12 on:** February 20, 2005, 09:45:45 AM »

ive read the book. The movie does follow the book pretty close.. of course the novel has a lot LOT more detail and events that dont pop up in the movie.

The book though describes the enemy as a tribe of people who ate the dead and were very primitive and dangerous and stuff from the start; not like the movie putting them as some sort of mystery demon-monster things and later on showing they were some deranged version of Clan of Cave Bear.

The book has a much darker mood as well, heck a good portion of it is the arab describing how he went along with the norsemen and how disgusted he was at their filth and barbaric ways.. and when he begins to hear of the eaters of the dead it gets even darker.

Sandman · « **Reply #13 on:** February 20, 2005, 09:49:25 AM »

It's a good movie. One that seems to improve after each viewing.

I'm not a big, big fan of Crighton but I also enjoyed reading this book.

Sure, there are better movies and better books, but there are also plenty that are worse.

Pongo · « **Reply #14 on:** February 20, 2005, 12:14:24 PM »

The movie was actually filmed near here.

Ill have to watch it again.