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I'm a traditional type, so when I see movies with a premise like this (Viking raiders plundering the new world centuries before it was actually 'discovered') I'm aware that it will take a flight of fancy in order to immerse myself in the story. My biggest beef is with the movie's pacing; when you see the previews you get the sense that this is an action piece, but if so- its a little light on the action. I don't know, maybe I just expected too much. There are some inconsistencies which probably should not matter as it is a movie, but it bothered me nonetheless. For instance, how does a young Viking lad, left behind by his steading and adopted by the indigenous tribes (Native Americans), manage to use a sword which he has not handled since he was a child, using techniques similar to what the returning invaders used? He fought well armed and armored warriors using only this sword (which looked SIMILAR to a Viking blade) - you could attribute it to dumb luck until you realize that he's decimated a number of them singlehandedly and you're sitting there like, what the hell? There is a lot of mystique tied to the Native Peoples and I know the director was shooting for that but what he ended up with was a stoic lead man who was sort of pigeonholed into this character. If you're a fan of Karl Urban (Lord of the Rings, Doom, Bourne Supremacy) then you'll want to watch this movie- he does have screen presence, they just didn't develop his character- in a way that I would've found to be equitable. I did like how the Natives spoke in English (you as the viewer are led to understand that what you're hearing is the translation of their language) and the raiders spoke...something else. I'm no linguist but it sounded like a cross between German and some other language for which I'm not familiar, but it was an interesting little bit nonetheless. So, in wrapping up- this was a decent movie, with a fantasy element that is supposedly rooted in history somewhat (it is purported by this movie that the basis comes from a legend that Viking raiders had plundered and settled in Newfoundland circa 1000AD which would make it almost 500 years before Christopher Columbus stumbled upon it) - but it does nothing for the movie. Worth watching? You bet. In my library? Check. Watch it again? MAYBE.Read full review
A couple of weeks ago, browsing the cable channels.. I'd clicked on Pathfinder (Vikings brutalizing Indians) which didn't really appeal to me at the time but once I started watching I could not look away. Should be rated XXX for violence and graphic depiction of slaughter, however, it was amazingly filmed and the story line, even though fictional, probably had more than enough basic truth to it. Synopsis, a lone surviving Nordic boy is rescued from a wrecked Viking ship by a native American woman and raised by the tribe. His adulthood is troubled by visions of his past and his destiny among the natives unfolds as the next wave of violent marauders return to destroy their people and way of life. The filming and costumes were amazing. (Frank Frazetta fans gather round) More detail than any of the mainstream films and the dark lighting through much of it set the tone of dread and on the reverse, enhanced the beauty of the landscape. Warning of graphic.. and I mean- GRAPHIC- violence, but to truly depict this type of carnage with the use of historically brutal weapons I don't know how a serious director could veer to the lighter side if they wanted to create the dark art that Pathfinder became at the final cut. proud to have it in my collection- but will only break it out for the pirates and ne'er do wells that would appreciate it.Read full review
Pathfinder is a great movie it’s a very good story and that story is very well acted by all the players in the movie!! Karl Urban is a talented actor, also Moon Bloodgood is a spectacular actress!!
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
This was an excellent premise for a story, but many inconsistencies for the times depicted. Horses are not the Nordic breed, a dog more domestic AKC Benji, than the dingo-ish breeds available (that were more food source than pet) and kills with a broad sword that smoothly and effortlessly pierced armor and heavy furred skins specifically designed to thwart blades. The appearance of a white Arabian horse, more than probably 700 years prior to Spanish reintroduction (whom evolved into Mustangs vs Arabian) was a puzzle. Hmmm. If you could suspend your disbelief and incredulity (Russell Means again as a chef--is this sterotypical?) and people of the dawn (aka Passamaquoddy indigenous to the Maine, New England coastal areas)so why the Rocky Mountains they climbed so blithely , then it was an interesting movie for costume and plot. The DVD arrived well packaged and played flawlessly, many thanks to the Ebay seller curiousgoodsoddthings (1504Feedback), whom I have tagged as one of my favorite A+++ vendors.Read full review
exciting battles. beautiful unconquered region. hero uses his courage & genius tactics to defeat evil vikings. zero depth to the vikings= cardboard villains.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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