"Beautiful Bomb: In Defense of “The 13th Warrior”" Topic

"There are some works of art that find themselves on the losing side of history, often due to poor market performance or evolving cultural values [be it naturally or by force].

Interestingly enough, despite their perceived failures, they are often viewed favorably within small sects of the population, becoming "cult classics" in their own right.

When I was a young man in the months before 9/11, a young Army lieutenant -who acted as an older brother figure- took me in for the weekend to give my folks a breather. While I had no idea that I would be heading to Fort Benning's Sand Hill a mere five years later, this lieutenant -who is an active duty officer to this day- wanted to impart in me the importance of comradery, growing where one was planted and answering the call when the call is made…"

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Armand

I've never understood all the negative press this film generated. Good storyline, tolerable acting, unique plot, great score, great lines, great atmosphere, suspenseful buildup to a heroic climax, incredible fight scenes … what's not to like?

I know it's supposed to be the biggest box-office bomb of all time, but I'm pretty sure it will give up that title once the Bezos' $1 USDB craptacular, The Rings of Power, finishes its run on Amazon this fall.

Well, I am not a soldier like the guy in the article, but I enjoyed this movie. I even bought it as a DVD. Oh, and I agree with you FandL Rings of Power sucks.

One of my all-time favorite movies. I could (and have) watch it over and over. Love the soundtrack especially the Norseman's prayer. The book wasn't bad either.

It was a fine movie. Not perfect- the third act seemed a bit uneven, but visually great and well made. I always watch it if I see it on tv.

Thank you for sharing this article. It was a great read.

I, too, own this movie and have watched it several times. I realized I have not seen it in a few years so I resolve now to watch it again soon. It is a great movie, and like Perris, it is one of my favorites.

I watched it in the cinemas and thought it was solid and enjoyable. I didn't get the hate for it.
I saw it again about 10 years ago and thought it held up well.

I watch this show anytime I can. Saw it when it came out, like it then and like it now. There are a ton of flaws with the movie but if you can get over it its still a good watch. Those of you into historical armor will cringe but it's still cool. And the fact that character are there one minute and gone the next without explanation is the one thing that always bothered me…but I'll still watch it even if just for the "Lo there" scene

Love the book AND the Movie…will (and have) watched it time and time again!

One of my favorite movies, have watched the DVD a couple dozen times.

"Do we have anything resembling a plan?"

"Track them down, then kill them all."

TTW is seriously underappreciated.

I'm reserving judgment on Rings of Power. It's not as. Bad as I feared, tho not as good as I hoped. I think it's going to come down to who the "stranger" is.

One quibble. IIRC, the meteor streaks over Gil-Galad in Lindon first. There's no way to discern its direction of flight at this point.

Then we see it over the Southlands, so we can infer it had been traveling W to E. We then see it over (presumably) Fangorn, now SE to NW. Then over Rhovanion, finally SW to NE. I've never understood meteors to be capable of course correction. Hmmm?

I read both the book and watched the movie and enjoyed them. It is a very underrated movie and don't understand the hate for it. I thought the idea of an Islamic poet joining a Norse warband was great.

Thanks!

Armand

Yeah, I liked the movie. Didn't know it was a bomb. I have the files to print up the bad guys to game with. I think I'll do that.

Thanks

John

"…the files to print up the bad guys to game with."

Say what!? Such things exist!?

My family loved it! It ranks up there with the two Schwarzenegger Conan movies, among our favorites. The armor is ridiculous, but the movie is great, for us.

The Pricess Bride also did poorly in the box office, if I remember correctly. That is probably our top favorite of all. We can quote most of it from memory.

My son's are taking to heart, "the power of flesh," over, "the power of steel." They get it. That first Conan movie is educational as well as entertaining. Cheers!

Liked the book and movie !

+1 Wolfshanza.

+1 Berzerker73 & Wolfshanza.

Mr Big Tong makes foot and mounted figs for it in 28mm STL files.

Thanks

John

I have always enjoyed the Thirteenth Warrior and The eaters of the Dead it was based on. I have been ignoring critics and popular opinion for most of my life. That is why I loved Bladerunner (all versions), Legend, The Princess Bride, Farscape and Altered Carbon. I also love Pink Floyd and they were roundly panned by "critics" for years.
But these are the same folks who think Marvel Universe movies ( fun, but I burned out on them much sooner then most) and Katey Perry…are high art. So they are easy to blow off. I generally find, if the critics don't like it or don't get it, I really enjoy it.

High on my list too--and the movie more than the book, which is unusual for me.