The Shamer

Awesome for kids - but if you are 12+ you will feel like you are reading a children's book, which isn't the case with the actual book.

As a reader of the books, and so a fan of the series, I went and saw the film with high expectations, and hoping for a sense of ''breathtaking''. This was, however, unfortunately not what happened. In my opinion, the acting and setup seems like a theater from public school 5th grade. Of course it's child actors who play the more significant roles. But if you can't find children with skills, one should simply make the characters a few years older.

But fortunately there are the skilled and seasoned adult actors, or are there? These tanned actors work equally as if they were extras in a school play. The animations and props were good, and it certainly does not resemble a B-movie. But I hope that a film company with a somewhat higher budget, sees the potential of the extraordinary storyline and therefore makes a re-make of it.

If you have not read the books, I think that the film may be a bit confusing and seem shallow, with a bad plot.

Looking forward to ''Skammertegnet'' - if this were to be produced of course.

The King of Dunark, his pregnant wife, and their 4-year old son have been murdered. They are survived by their son Nicodemus, who is the heir to the thrown. Found with a bloodied knife in his hands, Nicodemus is the suspect, but when he fails to confess, the Master of the Law sends for Melussina Tonerre, who is a witch and has the ability to see the shame in people.

Prince Drakan then sends for Melussina's daughter, Dina, who also has the gift but is more powerful. But in Drakan is more than meets the eye. He framed Nicodemus, and tries to kill Dina, upon which she and Nicodemus flees. Now, Drakan - who allegedly is the King's illegitimated son - ascends the throne, and sends his men to find and kill Dina and Nicodemus, while Dina is trying her mother who is to be executed.

'The Shamer's Daughter' is a sword and sorcery film set in Medieval times, and even features dragons. The visuals are very good and the performances - especially Rebecca Emilie Sattrup as Dina - are excellent. It is a film that touches on elements of betrayal, loyalty and friendship, and ultimately makes for action-packed entertainment. I enjoyed it.

I began this movie not knowing what to expect and was wonderfully surprised. It is well paced and although it may contain some cliches, it was a well told story.

Dina (Rebecca Emilie Sattrup) has no friends; nobody wants to be around the Shamer's daughter and her mother Melussina (Maria Bonnevie) is viewed by all as a witch, necessary perhaps but a witch nonetheless. And Dina has inherited her mother's gifts, for good and for ill. When the ruling family of the castle and town of Dunark are brutally murdered, it seems the deed was done by the eldest son Nico (Jakob Oftebro), but he refuses to admit guilt and so Melussina is called to "see" his guilt. She fails, and so high- ranking Draken (Peter Plaugborg) brings Dina to the town, but she too fails to elicit guilt in Nico. Draken, however, is determined to condemn Nico and take control of the town, and he not only has most of the ranking officers on his side, but a nasty surprise in the castle's dungeons - dragons! Can Dina find allies to help save herself and her mother? Or will the dragons eat them all?....This is a wonderfully medieval-styled film, with well-realized characters and a very strong female lead, plus some really terrific dragons (more lizard-like than we've seen of late). The film is based on the first of a well-loved Danish YA series, The Shamer Chronicles by Lene Kaaberol, and on the basis of this adaptation, I think the books would be well worth seeking out in translation. At turns dark and humorous, "The Shamer's Daughter" is a solid, action-packed and yet quite touching and emotional film, well worth finding if you can!

The "shame" of this movie is that it is so very well done-- then drops the audience to end credits, with no ending. The audience is not notified of this ahead of time. According to Wikipedia:

"The second part of the saga 'Skammerens Datter II: Slangens Gave' is currently in post production as of 2018 and is set to premiere on February 7, 2019"

It's (as of this review) July 2019 and no sign of a sequel in sight.

When we find out if the *sequel* has an ending or drops us like a dead toad again... I might come back and re-rate this. Or I might not.

The directing, acting, settings are all superb. Storyline is unique, plot line captivating. Could have easily given this 8+ stars based on production alone. So is it so difficult for them to let us know ahead of time that this is the first of 2 or 3 parts? Just as one is really getting interested BAM! Fade to black, no warning. Someone should have shamed the director and publishing company into being more up-front with their plans. For their lack of sympathy for the audience... 6 stars and no more. Take that, film-killing ruffians!