THE NORTHMAN

US, 2022, 136 minutes, Colour.

Alexander Skarsgaard, Nicole Kidman, Claes Bang, Ethan Hawke, Anya Taylor-Joy, Gustave Lindh, Willem Dafoe.

Directed by Robert Eggers.

Savage is a word that comes to mind very quickly while we watch The Northman. If time travel journeys were available, going to 895 A.D. in the countries of the northern Atlantic, might not be in the top 10, let alone in the top hundred destinations. It is a dark an alien world. But, that is what celebrated director, Robert Eggers (The VVitch, The Lighthouse) does – and immerses us into the harshness of Viking life, the primitive aspects of Viking communities, myths (Odin and Valhalla), superstitions and witchcraft, and an atmosphere of brutal power, bloodthirsty behaviour.

And, while we admire the film craft, the recreation of the period, the Viking life, we might be wondering why we are being taken there. One of the immediate answers is that history shows us that life is always brutal, whatever forms it takes. That in looking at this savage, even barbaric world, we are looking at human nature. In some of its most basic forms and behaviour.

The film is certainly rousing, spouting volcanoes, the freezing seas, the Viking ships, the village (with its minimal mod cons!), gruff interactions, power rivalries, murder. And, the son of the King (Ethan Hawke in a brief role) is called Hamnet. And, as the plot progresses, we see that it is an adaptation of the story that inspired Shakespeare.

One of the features of The Northman is the continued reference to wild beasts, the King father and son going through a ritual, imitating beasts, absorbing their spirits – and Hamnet, as he grows older, confronting beasts, and, eventually, having to let loose the beast within him.

Hamnet grows up to be a big, strong, warrior, played by Alexander Skarsgaard, but fleeing from his home and the tyranny of his uncle, he has become a slave. He and others are sold to a ruler on a small island – and this is his uncle who was conquered and exiled to this island along with his unpleasantly aggressive son. And, Hamnet wants to save, to avenge his mother, Queen Gudrun, Nicole Kidman, who certainly has her moments, unexpected and transformed. There is an emotional complication when Hamnet is attracted to one of the slaves, Olga, who has supernatural powers and witchcraft, played by Anya Taylor Joy.

Life on the island is brutal, especially for the slaves, but Hamnet proves himself during a Savage game, more than a touch gladiatorial, with an iron ball and clubs and he is promoted. Which gives him the opportunity to put his vengeance plan into action.

There are many fights throughout the film, vigourously and viciously choreographed, more than a touch gory deaths, building up to the final confrontation, the drama unfolding not as we might have expected (unless we were keeping the plot of Hamlet in mind).

So, this is human nature in the Dark Ages, brutal, even bestial, and the challenge to our image of our civilised selves as to how much brutality and bestiality there is in our world today.

1. Viking epic? Recreation of the period? Viking locations, land and sea, mountains? The Viking people, lifestyle, warriors, battles? Background of superstitions, religion, mythologies?
2. The location photography, Iceland, Ireland? The vast terrains? The seas? The photographic style, landscapes, seascapes, close-ups, choreographed fights, darkness and light, shadows? The musical score, the instruments, drums and beats?
3. The work of the director, acclaim for his work and this film?
4. A brutal world, in day-to-day life, rugged, harsh, primitive, savage?
5. The introduction to the Vikings, the seascapes, the ships, the Warriors arriving home, ceremonies and rituals, the king, the warrior, harsh, confronting his wife, greeting his son? The animal rituals and the spirits of animals in the men? Bequeathing his heritage to his son, the metal? His brother, illegitimate, his brother’s son, part of the entourage? The confrontation, the killing of the king? The escape of the sun? Using his wits?
6. The transition to Russia, years later, the boats, the galleys and the rowers? Slavery, labour? Hamnet, the transition from child to adult, strength, big build, work?
7. The slaves, being rounded up, being transported? Hamnet and his encounters with Olga? Being transported? The news of his uncle, being defeated, exiled to the island?
8. The island, the landscapes, the buildings? The inspection of the slaves, Hamnet and his uncle, his cousin, the cousin’s arrogance? Wanting to see his mother? Memories of his mother, devotion to her, wanting to rescue her??
9. Life on the island, the work, the overseers, harshness? Hamnet and his work, the buildup to the confrontation with the ball, the fighting, the elimination, Hamnet and his saving his half brother, being rewarded by his uncle, supervising the workers?
10. The encounters with Olga, the bond between them? Her background, her capacities as a witch? Hamnet and his dreams and visions? The spirit of animals, the confrontation with the dogs and wharfs?
11. His entry to his mother’s quarters, the encounter between them, the revelation of the truth about her marriage, the treatment by her husband, going off with his brother? Her son? Hamnet being shocked at the truth? The Queen telling her husband and wanting her son killed?
12. The plan, with Olga, the killing of his cousin? The grief?
13. Olga, escaping from the settlement? Hamnet, the buildup to the confrontation, killing the warriors, his being overcome? Tortured, hanging? His escape?
14. The escape to Olga, their getting the ship, his change of heart, her pregnancy, overboard and his swimming back to confront the king?
15. The background of the volcano, from the beginning, flames, the eruption, the laver? The background to the fight, the naked fight, the brutality, deaths? The death of the Queen?
16. The Dark Ages, primitive life, barbarity, beast learners? The film observing human nature, living and dying by the sword, power, lust, basic instincts?