Valhalla Rising (Viking)

[GreenScar]

Check out the promo video here

The upcoming Viking adventure movie Valhalla Rising caps a 22-year journey for filmmaker Nicolas Winding Refn, the 39-year-old Danish-born, American-raised director who first conceived of the movie as a science fiction epic.

"I always wanted to make a science fiction movie, but I had no interest in [the] technology of science fiction," Refn told a group of reporters last week in Hollywood while promoting his upcoming film Bronson. "I wanted to do a mental science fiction movie. I find it difficult to make one in the future now, because technology always kind of goes against mythology and the concept of science fiction. So I decided to do the 1100s instead."

As a teenager, Refn felt there had never been a good Viking movie. That's when he dreamed of making his own. "I guess the challenge of just doing a Viking film itself was just so absurd that it kind of turned me on," Refn said. "I've had the specific idea since I was 17, like the story. It's just kind of been evolving."

Growing up, Refn collected the experiences of the films he was watching. That led to a most unusual set of influences. "Basically Valhalla Rising for me is probably the films that I grew up loving so much, like Snake Plissken [in Escape From New York] and [Andrei] Tarkovsky," Refn said.

Valhalla Rising stars Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen (Casino Royale, the upcoming Clash of the Titans) as a mute warrior with one eye. The story deals with mythological themes. "It's about the concept of mythology and what mythology can create and mythology versus Christianity, which is order and reality," Refn said. "The film is about a mute warrior who has no past or present, who escapes his captivity and travels with Christian Vikings to the Holy Land to fight the first war. But they get entangled in a mist that doesn't lift until they reach America, and then it goes horribly wrong."

Refn cut his teeth making a series of crime movies. "After the Pusher trilogy, I decided I wanted to make that," Refn said. "But then I needed the money to buy out my ex-partner so I could own the movie complete. It was also one of the reasons I decided to write and direct Bronson, just to get some quick bucks."

IFC films picked up Valhalla Rising at this year's Toronto International Film Festival and plans to release it in early 2010.

[vegeta88]

Sweet! I'm keeping my eye on this one (no pun inten- yes it was). Vikings are so sick but there is only one really good Viking film for me, 13th Warrior.

Thanks!

[OrlandoEastwood]

Cool, Mads was cool Bond villian. Looking forward to it.

[Zvi]

Well, the main character has one eye, which is ok, but mute? I dunno, may be it will be good...

[Big-byrd]

looks intense, awesome!

[Psychonaut]

The world needs more Viking movies!

[P@t_Mtl]

This movie seem's interesting, will watch it when it's available

[newtype]

Sounds awesome

[GreenScar]

Brutal Brutal Brutal! Valhalla Rising Sneak Peek

If you see anything today even a little bit more brutal than this mash up of clips from Nicolas Winding Refn's Valhalla Rising, you seriously need to re-evaluate your life. I'm a proud owner of Riki-Oh, a hyper-violent Chinese film from the early 90s, and this two-minute clip puts that entire movie to shame.

Refn's previous release Bronson also has a reputation for being incredibly ferocious, but after seeing this preview, Valhalla Rising may prove to be the bloodiest film of the new decade. Rising stars Mads Mikkelsen, who never ceases to impress me, as One-Eye, a mute warrior with supernatural strength who apparently has no qualms with straight tearing the guts out of his enemies.

I can't even wrap my head around how unabashedly brutal this series of clips is. There's no hint of story, no romance, no crappy voice over; it's just pure, unadulterated barbarism and it is god damn glorious.

People with weak stomachs, this is your last chance to click away.

Click the title above to head over and see the promo

[WyldeMan45]

Originally Posted by vegeta88

Sweet! I'm keeping my eye on this one (no pun inten- yes it was). Vikings are so sick but there is only one really good Viking film for me, 13th Warrior.

Thanks!

Any movie where English can be learned overnight by camp fire light is a must see for everybody who still refuses to learn, lol. No excuses, if Antonio can do it so can you!

[Lord_Stewie]

looks interesting to check out. thanks for the news.

[Blu Titan]

Originally Posted by GreenScar

Brutal Brutal Brutal! Valhalla Rising Sneak Peek

Click the title above to head over and see the promo

Good stuff GreenScar! This one has my interest.

[Fighter]

Originally Posted by GreenScar

Check out the promo video here

[BeardedNinjaGuy]

Awesome, Love Mads ever since I saw him in King Arthur, and even more when he was a Bond Baddie.

Will def be checking this one out.

[Offender_Mullet]

Oh cool, the director of Bronson is doing this. That clip was badass. Looks very interesting.

[Lord_Stewie]

Also if anyone notices this movie has elements from The Odyssey by Homer. One of my top 10 mythological journeys of all time. It will be Epic.

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by WyldeMan45

Any movie where English can be learned overnight by camp fire light is a must see for everybody who still refuses to learn, lol. No excuses, if Antonio can do it so can you!

It was not English he learn but Norse language still no mean feat but still something someone can do when you know many languages

[Realist01]

If anyone is interested in Refn's other movies, please check out The Pusher Trilogy. Excellent! Also features Mads.

[Ski31]

I will watch this one. I am a fan of Norse mythology...So much I named my puppy Odin

[SunToucher]

I watched Vahalla Rising today and found it to be an excellent movie. I can see though, how some might find it akward at best. For me though it was top of the pops. I wish others beside Refn were make more movies like this. In terms of a mental movie I strongly identified it, with "The Warrior", which was also about a warrior in crisis. I heartily recommend Vahalla Rising, as well as the The Warrior.