2005; 14-A, 103 mins. A Canadian/Icelandic Production

Directed by Sturla Gunnarsson
Based on the epic poem Beowulf
Script by Andrew Rai Berzins
Original Music by Hilmar Örn Hilmarsson
Cinematography by Jan Kiesser
Production Design by Árni Páll Jóhannsson

Cast
Gerard Butler (Beowulf)
Martin Delaney (Thorfinn)
Eddie Marsan (Brendan)
Sarah Polley (Selma)
Ingvar Eggert Sigurðsson (Grendel)
Stellan Skarsgård (King Hrothgar)
Ronan Vibert (Thorkel)

Reviewed by Bruce Durham

Originally I was exposed to Sturla Gunnarsson’s Beowulf & Grendel at the Toronto International Film Festival last September of 2005. I managed to catch the press conference and an extended preview, but ultimately had no chance to view the film itself. Since that time the movie languished as the Canadian/Icelandic production searched for a distributor. Fortunately, it was recently announced the movie would open in US markets on June 16. But before that, during March of 2006, it saw limited release in Canada, and I jumped at the opportunity.

Based on the epic Anglo-Saxon poem, Beowulf & Grendel ventures beyond the simple story of hero versus monster and delves into the motivation behind Grendel’s seemingly single-minded rampage of death and destruction. To that end, the purists will likely be disappointed by the liberal re-telling, and that would be a shame. Beowulf & Grendel boasts a solid script, fine acting and absolutely breath-taking scenery.

Filmed in Iceland, the icy cliffs and snow-capped mountains serve as a perfect backdrop to this 7th century tale. The scenery evokes a sense of desolation and bleakness that compliments the despair of the Danes and their drink-besotted King, Hrothgar, a role wonderfully executed by Stellan Skarsgard.

Unknown to his people, King Hrothgar is directly responsible for Grendel’s vengeance. Word of the troll reaches the hero Beowulf after a savage attack on the King’s Mead-Hall leaves many of the King’s men dead, all while the drunken Hrothgar sleeps. Beowulf immediately accepts the quest to kill the troll, setting out with his companions in a long ship across the bleak, ice filled waters of the north. This is a Beowulf completely aware of his status and comfortable with the mantle of hero. This is most evident during a humorous moment when Beowulf announces his arrival to a Danish scout, who immediately launches into a litany of Beowulf’s accomplishments, much to the amusement of the hero’s men, one of whom cracks, “Here we go again.”

The role of Beowulf belongs to Gerald Butler of Phantom of the Opera fame. Scottish brogue aside, Butler nails Beowulf as a person of destiny who attempts to understand the motivations of his enemy while questioning the motives of his allies. It is while he seeks to understand Grendel that he comes to realize there is more to the monster than the ferocious killer portrayed by the victims.

Grendel is ably played by Ingvar Sigurdsson. The actor imbues the troll with a single-minded goal of vengeance tempered with a primitive sense of justice and an innocent child-like quality that evokes a profound sense of sympathy. Sigurdsson has no dialogue, beyond grunts and screams, but still presents a multi-layered character through facial expression and body language. There is a particularly compelling scene where Grendel stands on a ridge, smashing a rock against his forehead, working himself into a battle-frenzy.

The supporting cast is generally strong, with the possible exception of Selma the witch, played by fellow Canadian Sarah Polley. A wonderful actor in many independent films, she is out of place here. The music score is good, though I found it jarring in parts. As previously mentioned, the Icelandic scenery is stunning and used to good effect--the frosty breath you see when the actors speak is real. The art direction and costuming is solid, the photography outstanding. One interesting note, the dialogue uses strictly Anglo-Saxon root words.

There is a sequence where Beowulf and his warriors wait during the night in Hrothgar’s Mead-Hall for the troll to attack. It is very reminiscent of a similar scene in The 13th Warrior. However, that is where comparisons end. While the latter film is a good time-waster, Beowulf & Grendel shines as a gritty telling of the epic saga. Highly recommended.