This movie, which is based upon a dramatic true story, takes place in Norway about 150 years after the end of the Viking era. Norway has become Christian by this time although, apparently, not too Christian. That is to say, they haven't become too Christian to go around committing murder, or even regicide.
To those not familiar with medieval Norwegian history the politics in this movie may be a bit murky. It would definitely help to read up on it beforehand. Nevertheless, the gist of the story is simple enough. The orphaned infant son of the newly-murdered King is in danger of being murdered by his late father's political rivals. An army of armored knights are out to kill the tiny heir to the throne. Two guys are entrusted with the task of saving the baby King from his pursuers.
The situation looks pretty hopeless for the two heroes and their tiny charge. However, they do have one thing going for them. It is the dead of winter and, while the two heroes do not have access to horses, they do have skis. As anybody who has ever watched the Winter Olympics knows, nobody in the world can catch Norwegians on cross-country skis. Nevertheless, the director does a great job of maintaining the suspense as they fight and ski their way through one hair-breath escape after another.
Most of this movie is like one long game of British Rugby Football, only played in the snow, on skis, and using a live baby as the ball. The object for one team is to score a goal. For the other team, the object of the game is simply to kill the ball. As for the rules, well, there are no rules. Come to think of it, that sounds like a great idea for a new Winter Olympic sport, one that ought to be a real crowd-pleaser. They could call it, "Norwegian Rugby".
The acting is excellent and the production values are world-class. Although the movie is in Norwegian with English subtitles, the dialogue is not difficult to follow. Besides, one really does not require subtitles to understand, "AAAAAARGH!"
To those not familiar with medieval Norwegian history the politics in this movie may be a bit murky. It would definitely help to read up on it beforehand. Nevertheless, the gist of the story is simple enough. The orphaned infant son of the newly-murdered King is in danger of being murdered by his late father's political rivals. An army of armored knights are out to kill the tiny heir to the throne. Two guys are entrusted with the task of saving the baby King from his pursuers.
The situation looks pretty hopeless for the two heroes and their tiny charge. However, they do have one thing going for them. It is the dead of winter and, while the two heroes do not have access to horses, they do have skis. As anybody who has ever watched the Winter Olympics knows, nobody in the world can catch Norwegians on cross-country skis. Nevertheless, the director does a great job of maintaining the suspense as they fight and ski their way through one hair-breath escape after another.
Most of this movie is like one long game of British Rugby Football, only played in the snow, on skis, and using a live baby as the ball. The object for one team is to score a goal. For the other team, the object of the game is simply to kill the ball. As for the rules, well, there are no rules. Come to think of it, that sounds like a great idea for a new Winter Olympic sport, one that ought to be a real crowd-pleaser. They could call it, "Norwegian Rugby".
The acting is excellent and the production values are world-class. Although the movie is in Norwegian with English subtitles, the dialogue is not difficult to follow. Besides, one really does not require subtitles to understand, "AAAAAARGH!"