Fantasy lands and worlds have always been a great source of inspiration for movie makers who do everything in their power (and budget) to bring these incredible environments and the characters that inhabit them to the big screen. Mythology is a rich source for such adaptations and the folklore and tales of larger than life legends have been very competently recreated for movie audiences over the years. And here are just some of the best Nordic themed movies ever to grace our screens.
ERIK THE VIKING (1989)
The late 70’s and 80’s were rife with lots of Python-esque adventures, some of which have gone down in movie history as some of the most hilarious and enjoyable movie experiences of all time. And even though it’s the likes of ‘The Life of Brian’ and Terry Gilliam’s dystopian nightmare ‘Brazil’ which often get much of the plaudits it was Terry Jones’ ‘Erik the Viking’ which often gets ashamedly overlooked. The Monty Python funny man helmed this comedy fantasy which was principally based upon Nordic mythology and managed to throw in plenty of familiar characters and names from Norse history and lore. Erik, played by Tim Robbins, and his Viking men travel seaward to find Valhalla in Asgard in order to convince the gods there to end the Age of Ragnarok.
BEOWULF (2007)
At first glance you may think this 2007adventure fantasy from director Robert Zemeckis had meant that Brit actor Ray Winstone had managed to get in the best shape he’s ever been in. Sadly for Ray though this was simply the latest in a line of 3D motion capture animation movies from the filmmaker (along with ‘A Christmas Carol’ and ‘The Polar Express’) which had helped bring this Norse warrior to life on the big screen. The legend of Beowulf in Norse mythology had seen this hero battle against creatures across Denmark and Sweden and in this feature adaptation he faced the fear-inducing Grendel and Grendel’s mother, played by Angelina Jolie in the movie.
THOR (2001)
One of the most memorable outings for arguably the most famous and recognisable character from Norse mythology happened just a few years ago as one sixth of the Avengers team made his debut outing. Chris Hemsworth slipped on the chest plates and cape to play the title role of the fictional god who is next in line to become king of Asgard, before he is drawn into a battle against his father’s wishes who ends up stripping him of his powers and exiling him to Earth.
HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON (2010)
Nordic themes have helped inspire merchandise, TV shows and games such as Thunderstruck 2 over the years and it’s this influence that has even helped create animated franchises such as ‘How to Train Your Dragon’. Based on the children’s fantasy novel of the same name by English author Cressida Cowell this fun animated adventure takes place within a mythical world inhabited by Vikings when a young teenage boy called Hiccup ends up befriending a dragon he initially set out to slay.
