Berserker (2004 film)

Berserker, also known as Berserker: Hell's Warrior, is a fantasy-action-horror film based on Norse mythology. It was written, directed and produced by Paul Matthews and had its main release in 2004.[1][2]

Berserker
Directed byPaul Matthews
Produced byPaul Matthews
Written byPaul Matthews
StarringPaul Johansson
Craig Sheffer
Kari Wührer
Patrick Bergin
Narrated byPaul Johansson
Music byMark Thomas
CinematographyVincent G. Cox
Edited byPeter Davies
Release date
  • 11 May 2004 (2004-05-11)
Running time
83 minutes
CountrySouth Africa
LanguageEnglish

Plot

The film begins with a voice-over by "Barek" who refers to a pagan legend. According to the saga Odin was spurned by Brunhilda. The irate pagan god chained her to an altar in Asgard, surrounded by a ring of eternal fire. He decreed that only a pure-hearted man could overcome the supernatural flames and save the alluring valkyrie. Her saviour's fate should then be connected to hers forever. As Barek explains, he and his only brother learned about this as little boys and craved more and more to rescue the legendary beauty as they grew older.

As it is later on successively revealed by flashbacks, Boar eventually could not resist anymore and entered the ring of fire. Hereby he suffered severe burns. Barek followed him into the fire and remained wondrously unharmed. He unchained the valkyrie and persuaded her to save Boar's life. Unfortunately her bite turned Boar into a cannibalistic Berserker.

When their father, Viking leader Thorsson is in need of reinforcements because he is in war with the "Army of the Nord", he joins an alliance with the Berserkers who are now led by Boar. Following their combined campaign they fight each other. Thorsson uses fire against the otherwise immortal Berserker Boar. Barek cannot bear see his brother burning and calls Odin for help. Odin complies with Barek's request but from now the fates of Barek, Boar and Brunhilda are interlinked by a timeless curse.

Cast

Reception

The film was called "over-ambitious" and even a "train wreck".[3] The sounds of the valkyries reminded another critic of the "hissing" of his cat "when she sees another cat".[4] In February 2018 the film was released with Rifftrax commentary.[5]

References
  1. "Berserker". letterboxd.com. Retrieved 2013-08-06.
  2. "Berserker, Hell's Warrior". peakviewing.co.uk. Retrieved 2013-08-06.
  3. Klotz, Denis (2011-02-11). "Berserker". wtf-film.com. Archived from the original on 2013-08-07. Retrieved 2013-08-06.
  4. Garrett, Jack. "The Viking Movie List". vikingsofbjornstad.com. Retrieved 2013-08-06.
  5. Rifftrax. "Berserker, Hell's Warrior". Rifftrax.com.


This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.