Severed Ways: A Review
A friend mentioned that he had just watched "Severed Ways" on DVD. I had been waiting to see it, so I promptly ordered a copy. He gave it a neutral review, so I ordered the cheapest used copy I could find.
I still don't know if I did a good thing. The film is that overwhelming and that confounding. It is a beautiful film where nothing happens. It's kind of like a low-budget "New World," which coincidentally I loved. It's kind of like a Viking film done by Tarantino, whom I love. Yet, after a single viewing, I don't really love it unabashedly and cannot put a finger on why such a reaction. Very atmospheric and, in fact, very close to a saga. Telling what went on without explanation or artifice.
The sets are nice and fairly stark but very intriguing. Costumes are pretty good. Oh, I could poke a few holes in the presentation, but it was a fair and reasonable interpretation, especially when compared to recent fare like "Pathfinder." Dialogue is all in Norse with subtitles. The music is mainly heavy metal, and it really works, though folk who disliked "Marie Antoinette" for its sound track will not be favorably impressed.
They're a little too free with the camera, overdoing the blurring POV like the start of "Casino Royale," but it's not a mediocre effort in any way. Cinematography is, by and large, awesome.
The film is set in North America in 1007, concentrating on a couple guys left behind by Karlsefni. They are he4athen, which is probably a little fanciful, but this was done by Heathen Films, so it's understandable. It deals with their efforts at survival in the new world, against Christian pries, against Skraelings and against nature. Don't watch it if you're expecting an action-packed film; but if you have the time and the patience to watch a rich and layered effort, then hustle up a copy!
I'm certainly going to watch it again. I have a gut feeling that this is the sort of film that will grow on me!
I still don't know if I did a good thing. The film is that overwhelming and that confounding. It is a beautiful film where nothing happens. It's kind of like a low-budget "New World," which coincidentally I loved. It's kind of like a Viking film done by Tarantino, whom I love. Yet, after a single viewing, I don't really love it unabashedly and cannot put a finger on why such a reaction. Very atmospheric and, in fact, very close to a saga. Telling what went on without explanation or artifice.
The sets are nice and fairly stark but very intriguing. Costumes are pretty good. Oh, I could poke a few holes in the presentation, but it was a fair and reasonable interpretation, especially when compared to recent fare like "Pathfinder." Dialogue is all in Norse with subtitles. The music is mainly heavy metal, and it really works, though folk who disliked "Marie Antoinette" for its sound track will not be favorably impressed.
They're a little too free with the camera, overdoing the blurring POV like the start of "Casino Royale," but it's not a mediocre effort in any way. Cinematography is, by and large, awesome.
The film is set in North America in 1007, concentrating on a couple guys left behind by Karlsefni. They are he4athen, which is probably a little fanciful, but this was done by Heathen Films, so it's understandable. It deals with their efforts at survival in the new world, against Christian pries, against Skraelings and against nature. Don't watch it if you're expecting an action-packed film; but if you have the time and the patience to watch a rich and layered effort, then hustle up a copy!
I'm certainly going to watch it again. I have a gut feeling that this is the sort of film that will grow on me!