This movie is based on Michael Crichton's best selling novel "Eaters of the Dead," which I have not read. I will as soon as I can as I think this was probably a better book than a movie. Chricton supposedly wrote this book based on real life adventures from a manuscript passed down over 1000 years ago. Director John McTiernan(DIE HARD) has made a fairly exciting thriller but it just seems to lack something. It would probably be better if the running time was increased by about 15 to 30 minutes. I had a hard time putting my finger on what it needed because it had beautiful photography, decent acting and really excellent action and the premise was interesting but not fulfilling. Maybe it had to do that the enemy was not supernatural as we were led to believe from the beginning.
Antonio Banderas plays, Ahmad IbnFadlan, representative of the powerful Caliph of Baghdad, to a band of Viking warriors who is dragged into a mysterious battle with creatures who are legenadary for consuming all living things in their path. He is fortold as the 13th warrior who must go to do battle and save a people ravaged by these eaters of the dead. He joins the leader of this clan, Bulliwyf(Vladimir Kulich) on this incredible journey of survival as they battle this brutish beasts to an exciting ending.
Antonio Banderas has been better but he still portrays Ahmad IbnFadlan quite well...but the actors who played the Viking warriors stole the show. They all portrayed this powerful image that over powered everything. They were so believable that it was amazing to watch. Just to see these actors will be worth the money when this film is finally released. Go see it but I would not take any children as it is much to violent and grotesque a picture.