The Last King

I always enjoy historical-type movies. This one is no exception. I did stream with English 5.1 instead of subtitles, but it really didn't take away from the movie. The film depicted this era of Norway as quite brutal. I'm sure it was. Kings & heirs, civil war, brutality. It was all here. I don't judge acting so I really didn't notice if it was not perfect. I liked the plot & the movie flowed smoothly enough to follow without questioning what was happening. The scenery, well, when it wasn't overcast or snowing, was great. Lots of ski action too. Some of the scenes caught me off guard but I won't say which ones. There may have been a few hiccups, but overall I found it to be a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon.

The Last King (Birkebeinerne) is the fourth Northern from acclaimed Norweiagn Oscar nominee director Nils Gaup, which was Ocar nominated for his first inside just this genre, Pathfinder (Veiviseren). And this film has many parts which resembles just that film.

This is also based on an ancient old story. Back in 1206, when there was a civil war raging Norway, with basis in religion and country over the wast country in Nothern Europe. we're told the fight for the crown of the Norwegian empire. Also Pathfinder was based on a long gone true story, at least as a story told through generations.

I would think Nils Gaup should be able to make a rally good movie out of this, like he did with both Pathfinder and the brilliant The Kautokeino Rebellion. I'm afraid this film is a bit closer to the flop Tashunga. all of which were Northers, with stories i snowy landscapes.

The film wants to entertain. maybe a bit too much. The audience did laugh,several times, but the excitement and the funny parts are not that well kept together as I would like. Still this film has many interesting and worthy parts, making this an overall OK entertainment, while the true story is well kept in story telling.

This film is very beautiful, with awesome nature and winter filming. It's also fantastic to see the skiers do their part. The film functions to a great part, though there are some fighting scenes which I don't think works that well, I also found some of the dialog a bit stale, but that won't bother most watchers around the world. a couple of actors also seems like they have trouble, like Kristofer Hivju, who really uses his big eyes too much, and the young princess is also less believable, I'm afraid.

Still, this story functions enough for a 6/10.

This is a story of legendary bravery with thrills , emotion , court intrigue adventures and spectacular snowy pursuits in James Bond films style . Based on historical events and ancient folk-tale from Norway, concerning a story which changed the course of the country's history. In the year 1206 Norway is raged by civil war. The King's illegitimate infant son, Håkon Håkonsson, which half the kingdom wants killed off, is guarded in secrecy by two men but a nasty usurper tracks them down to eliminate the true heir .

The plot is plain and simple , two warriors protects a baby and they want to escape but aremercilessly chased , then , things go wrong . Functional but unknown cast , exception for Kristofer Hivju of Game of Thrones . There are historical remarks with appearance of some Norwegian kings , such as Håkon III Sverresson, Inge II Bårdsson & Håkon IV Håkonsson and in fact , in 1217 , 13-year-old Hakon Hakonsson took over the throne from Inge Bardson and held the kingdom for 46 years. During his reign , there was peace in Norway .

The brutal pursuers and impressive chases deliver the goods with breathtaking scenarios. This classy adaptation is an exciting picture plenty of action, thrills, chills , roller-coaster ride, violence and breathtaking fights .Furthermore , the astonishing killings are gruesome executed and grisly graphic . There's also a certain anachronism and three languages are spoken in the movie . The atmospheric photography by cameraman Peter Mokrosinski with a sort of never-ending dawn is truly awesome. It's a kind of light mingled in a moody and foggy atmosphere. Stirring and evocative musical score by Scandinavian composer Gaute Storaas , including traditional songs . Stunning and gripping realization by Nils Gaup . He was born in 1955 in Kautokeino, Norway. Gaup is a director and actor, who has made a few but acceptable films , being especially known for Pathfinder (1987), , Misery harbour (1989) , Above Water (1993) , North star (1996) , Journey to the Christmas Star (2012) and The last King (2017) . Gaup turned down offers to direct No without my daughter (1991) with Sally Field, RoboCop (1987) and many others. He began to direct Waterworld (1995), but he thought the budget was blown up and the project too difficult to handle. Rating : 6/10. Acceptable and passable.

I love films in the snow, mediable films are usually beautiful, and well produced, but they rarely attract me, the cold images must freeze my heart, there are few scenes that really interest me, uninteresting story and beat, betrayals, struggles for kingdoms, battles throne, unattractive, but the scenes with the baby stole my heart... The third and last act was the most significant, regular movie...

I just recently watched an adaptation of a Jussi Adler-Olsen novel and some of the actors involved in that are in this one too. Funny to see them in such different roles in short amount of time. But it works and goes to show you that there are good actors all over the world (something that cannot be stressed enough, which is why I personally do watch as many and different movies as possible).

But I'm probably preaching to the choir here. It's obvious that you're at least showing some interest already. And if you like movies with Vikings and stories where good and bad collide and all that juicy stuff, with some nice fighting choreography as well, than look no further. You've found what you're looking for. It may seem a bit confused at times, but it does have a clear goal in the end ... and it's really well made