CharlottaG
I was made to watch this movie in Swedish-class at school, and as I think we all know; forced watching doesn't make a good first impression of any film. But it really isn't that bad... the plot is well thought out and the acting is pretty good. The characters all have layers and a depth that adds to the plot. And if that wasn't enough the scenery is stunning. However, that ridiculous music as taken from a car hunt in a cop movie from the 80's that's played in the horse riding scenes is hilarious. After the first time it came on I just couldn't take anything beyond that seriously. Watching it in 2016 it feels as if they made parody of their own movie, IN the movie itself. But, even though I feel rather strongly about this whole riding-a-horse-on-the-beach-music it really is a film I think is worth watching. It's a big part of Icelandic film-history and it's very nice to see some vikings portrayed differently from the americanized barbaric stereotype. 5/10 Icelandic horses for vikings and funny music.
TheLurkingFox
Why You Should Watch It: Vikings! Iceland! Vikings on horses! Vikings on horses that probably look pretty much like vikings on horses did (no horned helmets here).Why It's Not The Best Movie Ever Made However: It's obviously been made on a tight budget, shot in only two locations which seem to be about 3 meters apart from each other, and the cheap 80s-synth Peruvian Flute rendition of Á Sprengisandi isn't helping either (there are only two tunes in the entire movie, and they come back very, very, very regularly). I won't even mention the "omg knife!!" sound effect that accompanies EVERY shot where someone has a knife or a sword, even if there's no way in real life they would have made any kind of sound. Also, tomato-blood.As for the plot well... I'm not sure there was enough to fill almost two hours. It pretty much feels like you're watching the same thing again and again and again.
Max Faust
This is *not* a viking movie.Nor is it a movie based in Yojimbo or A Fistful Of Dollars.This is a movie about Iceland in "Landnam-times".This is a movie which is based in the Icelandic Sagas - unique pillars in world literature - and if you know them fairly well (which I do), it's easy to see where and why Hrafn Gunnlaugsson has been, um, inspired. The plot line may seen Eastern or Western (or whatever) to somebody whose only point of reference is "other movies" -- but if you know your Sagas there can be no doubt that this is Northern. In fact, it's a MUCH better and more appropriate question whether Akira Kurosawa and Sergio Leone (like William Shakespeare) were readers of the Sagas.Just like in the Sagas, or the Greek tragedies before them, Hrafninn Flygur is filled with an ominous "mood" of inevitable destiny and downfall. Everything, including the music, is minimalistic and raw. There isn't much of a "story" per se. Nor are there any characters worth remembering. All that remains is the theme itself, the inevitable circle of revenge, and the gods - which in this case means we, the audience - smiling at the pathetic human attempts at "doing the right thing".For all its low budget and stereotypes, this movie is worth seeing.
Storugglan
I remember seing this movie as a teenager when it was new. I still remember how the touching story burned inside of me, and the soft music that soothened the flames, created a epic memory. Since that first time, I have watched this movie at least ten times and it is STILL as great as the fist time. I really feels lika a "true story". Not like the rough (and often stupid) picture of vikings that Hollywood creates. I highly recommend anyone (above 11) to see this movie!
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