The Northman (2022, D: Eggers) S: Kidman, Skarsgård, Dafoe, Taylor-Joy, Hawke, Bang, Björk
#52
DVD Talk Legend
Re: The Northman (2022, D: Eggers) S: Kidman, Skarsgård, Dafoe, Taylor-Joy, Hawke, Bang, Björk
I enjoyed this movie immensely, though I wouldn't quite call it a masterpiece. The plot gets a little too predictable as the story winds down and I was hoping for an ending that was a little more off the beaten path than usual, since this is a Robert Eggers' movie after all, but what we get is kind of exactly what you would expect -- from a non-Eggers' movie. It's a perfectly satisfactory conclusion, but I wanted something a little more, uh, less conventional.
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It has just enough of Robert Eggers' weirdness to keep it a little above a standard Viking Revenge film but is by far his more accessible film to date.
My friend who came along, also saw The Lighthouse (2019) with me and enjoyed this film quite a bit more.
#53
Moderator
Thread Starter
Re: The Northman (2022, D: Eggers) S: Kidman, Skarsgård, Dafoe, Taylor-Joy, Hawke, Bang, Björk
PVOD on Friday.
#54
Re: The Northman (2022, D: Eggers) S: Kidman, Skarsgård, Dafoe, Taylor-Joy, Hawke, Bang, Björk
Finally saw this tonight. It's really, really good, but I don't think nearly enough is being made about how much of a technical triumph this movie is. While the story itself is fairly simplistic, and nothing we haven't seen before (it is Hamlet after all), as a production achievement, this is second to none. It may be too late at this point, but anyone considering seeing this really should make the effort to see it in the best theater possible. You won't regret it. I was in awe for 2 straight hours.
#55
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
Re: The Northman (2022, D: Eggers) S: Kidman, Skarsgård, Dafoe, Taylor-Joy, Hawke, Bang, Björk
Finally saw this tonight. It's really, really good, but I don't think nearly enough is being made about how much of a technical triumph this movie is. While the story itself is fairly simplistic, and nothing we haven't seen before (it is Hamlet after all), as a production achievement, this is second to none. It may be too late at this point, but anyone considering seeing this really should make the effort to see it in the best theater possible. You won't regret it. I was in awe for 2 straight hours.
This surprises me coming from you. I expect a bloody spectacle and nothing more. I will enjoy it this weekend.
Thank you for the review
#56
Re: The Northman (2022, D: Eggers) S: Kidman, Skarsgård, Dafoe, Taylor-Joy, Hawke, Bang, Björk
I think more than anything I'm just astounded that someone gave Eggers $100 million to make this. It's feels too weird and art housey for the blockbuster crowd and too much of a violent, testosterone fueled spectacle for the art house crowd.
#57
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: The Northman (2022, D: Eggers) S: Kidman, Skarsgård, Dafoe, Taylor-Joy, Hawke, Bang, Björk
Probably the most metal movie I’ve seen since “Mandy.” It sags a little in the middle - but goes full vengeance in the end. Sure, it’s Hamlet, but it’s a good visceral take on it. Oddly the parts I liked the most were the most Eggers surreal bits and I think those were parts the rest of audience liked the least. 😏
#59
Re: The Northman (2022, D: Eggers) S: Kidman, Skarsgård, Dafoe, Taylor-Joy, Hawke, Bang, Björk
I'm not going to pretend I'm an expert on movie budgets, but I'm shocked this is a $100 million budget. Isn't like 70% of the movie people standing around in the woods? Sure, it's elegantly made, probably with all the best high end cameras and crew, but I'm having trouble imagining how a very low budget version of this movie would be any different other than losing slickness. I can't imagine a lot of the budget went to paying "above the line salaries". Maybe it's more expensive making a movie under COVID restrictions.
#60
Re: The Northman (2022, D: Eggers) S: Kidman, Skarsgård, Dafoe, Taylor-Joy, Hawke, Bang, Björk
I'm not going to pretend I'm an expert on movie budgets, but I'm shocked this is a $100 million budget. Isn't like 70% of the movie people standing around in the woods? Sure, it's elegantly made, probably with all the best high end cameras and crew, but I'm having trouble imagining how a very low budget version of this movie would be any different other than losing slickness. I can't imagine a lot of the budget went to paying "above the line salaries". Maybe it's more expensive making a movie under COVID restrictions.
#63
Re: The Northman (2022, D: Eggers) S: Kidman, Skarsgård, Dafoe, Taylor-Joy, Hawke, Bang, Björk
$100 million is probably overstating things. Wikipedia says $70-90 million. Either way, they had to build sets and shot on multiple locations, including water stuff. There's that village raid sequence with long extended tracking shots and dozens of extras that obviously had to be tightly choreographed. Throw in a myriad of special effects (both digital and practical) and meticulously researched costumes and production design. It all adds up.

#64
Re: The Northman (2022, D: Eggers) S: Kidman, Skarsgård, Dafoe, Taylor-Joy, Hawke, Bang, Björk
Would've been more impressed with this film had I not watched those shows. It's fine, it's just nothing remarkable. Anya Taylor-Joy doesn't have much to do, but shit, she's a hottie.
70 million budget seems about right if that includes prints and ads (which is about 20 mil at least for bigger releases). Lots of name actors, lots of sets needed to be built, lots of extras etc.
70 million budget seems about right if that includes prints and ads (which is about 20 mil at least for bigger releases). Lots of name actors, lots of sets needed to be built, lots of extras etc.
#65
DVD Talk Legend
Re: The Northman (2022, D: Eggers) S: Kidman, Skarsgård, Dafoe, Taylor-Joy, Hawke, Bang, Björk
Got a digital copy yesterday. It's currently #1 on Apple movies, so hopefully it will start to recoup some of its lost money.
#66
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: The Northman (2022, D: Eggers) S: Kidman, Skarsgård, Dafoe, Taylor-Joy, Hawke, Bang, Björk
I looked this movie up after seeing it, and found out the story of the main character Amleth is a Scandinavian legend that was the direct inspiration of Shakepeare's Hamlet. (No wonder his name sounded a lot like "Hamlet" when pronounced in the movie.)
( WIKIPEDIA LINK: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amleth )
( WIKIPEDIA LINK: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amleth )
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DaveyJoe (05-22-22)
#67
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: The Northman (2022, D: Eggers) S: Kidman, Skarsgård, Dafoe, Taylor-Joy, Hawke, Bang, Björk
This short video explains a lot of the symbolism in the movie:
(spoiler tagged just to hide the video)
Spoiler:
(spoiler tagged just to hide the video)
#68
DVD Talk Legend
Re: The Northman (2022, D: Eggers) S: Kidman, Skarsgård, Dafoe, Taylor-Joy, Hawke, Bang, Björk
7 out of 10 for me. Come for the visual splendor, exquisite cinematography, and stellar acting across the board. That's your money.
Appreciate (at best) the perfunctory story, nihilistic worldview, and a protagonist with a singular mode and motivation throughout the entire film.
I loved looking at this movie to death. Blu-Ray purchase for sure. It's absolutely breathtaking to admire. But the story doesn't really seem to say much of anything, except to present a time, place, and attitude. Fate is inexorable, dedication to an ideal at the expense of your own happiness is a self-fulfilling grave, etc. etc. It's like taking a Bentley to pick up late-night drive-thru. But man that car is undeniably exquisite, and that 2 AM burger tastes pretty OK.
Appreciate (at best) the perfunctory story, nihilistic worldview, and a protagonist with a singular mode and motivation throughout the entire film.
I loved looking at this movie to death. Blu-Ray purchase for sure. It's absolutely breathtaking to admire. But the story doesn't really seem to say much of anything, except to present a time, place, and attitude. Fate is inexorable, dedication to an ideal at the expense of your own happiness is a self-fulfilling grave, etc. etc. It's like taking a Bentley to pick up late-night drive-thru. But man that car is undeniably exquisite, and that 2 AM burger tastes pretty OK.
#69
DVD Talk Legend
Re: The Northman (2022, D: Eggers) S: Kidman, Skarsgård, Dafoe, Taylor-Joy, Hawke, Bang, Björk
Just a head's up, for anyone who has Peacock (think Premium version), this will be streaming on June 6th.
#70
Moderator
Thread Starter
#71
DVD Talk God
Re: The Northman (2022, D: Eggers) S: Kidman, Skarsgård, Dafoe, Taylor-Joy, Hawke, Bang, Björk
This is now up on Peacock if you have a subscription.
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TheMovieman (06-04-22)
#72
DVD Talk Legend
Re: The Northman (2022, D: Eggers) S: Kidman, Skarsgård, Dafoe, Taylor-Joy, Hawke, Bang, Björk
Yeah, that makes sense. I think I'm just old, cause I remember being astounded when I heard the budget of Terminator 2 was going to be $100 million, but then saw that reflected on-screen. I'm forgetting that was 30 years ago, and $100 million wouldn't go as far today 

#73
DVD Talk Hero
Re: The Northman (2022, D: Eggers) S: Kidman, Skarsgård, Dafoe, Taylor-Joy, Hawke, Bang, Björk
^ Star Wars are closer to $300m now allegedly, but yeah $100m (or $70m, whatever this actually cost) isn't what it used to be.
#74
DVD Talk Hero
Re: The Northman (2022, D: Eggers) S: Kidman, Skarsgård, Dafoe, Taylor-Joy, Hawke, Bang, Björk
Watched the 4K disc last night (missed it in theaters) and thought it was awesome. It's one of the best films of the year, IMO.