13th Warrior Film Analysis

The film 13th Warrior is one which provides a multitude of mythic symbolism from different cultures, including Arabic, Norse and a primitive cannibalistic tribe. By incorporating different societies, the audience gains insight to the similarities and contrasts which exist from different regions of .the world when they see the actions, beliefs and lifestyles highlighted throughout the film. It’s an enjoyable tale of good versus evil with strong references to courage, fame, and fate, much like the myths of Sigurd the Volsung, The Creation, Death and Rebirth of the Universe and Esfandyar, the Prince Who Would Be King. The premise of the story is an Arabic ambassador, named Ahmed Ibn Fahdlan, is recruited by Vikings to join their mission to conquer

The Vikings cast include tall, muscular actors such as Dennis Storhøi and Vladimir Kuhlich, who have predominately northern European features, blue eyes and long blond hair, supporting a traditional image of a Viking, or a Norse god like Thor and Odin. Antonio Banderas is cast as Ahmed, and Omar Shariff is cast as his translator, both of whom have darker complexions and shorter statures, giving the appearance of being of Middle Eastern decent. The costumes include several regional details for each character, including fur, tall boots, chain mail and helmets for the Vikings, whereas the Arabians are dressed in loose fitting cotton tunics and turbans, as would be appropriate for their regional climate.

The Viking weapons are artistic displays of metal forgery and woodwork, adorned with intricate Nordic and rune symbols, showing the value they place on their weapons, just as the Norse did with the sword reformed by Regin, in Sigurd the Volsung. Sigurd was not satisfied with the first couple of swords Regin forged for him, so he gave Regin the pieces of his father’s sword to create a worthy sword. When Sigurd’s father was killed, he foretold that the sword we be remade into a great weapon named Gram, which help Sigurd accomplish great deeds and earn fame (Rosenberg,

The Viking horses are big, strong beasts proportionally paired with the larger men, whereas Ahmed’s horse is a smaller Arabian stallion which is fast and nimble. The Wendol tribe rides on wild horses, which are not as large and as the Viking horses, but are larger than Ahmed’s horse. The Vikings in this movie act as if their horses are superior to the smaller horses, showing they value battle horses. In Sigurd the Volsung, Odin helps Sigurd select a worthy horse that happens to be related to Odin’s own horse, showing the Norse place worth on horses which can support their