The 13th Warrior

1999 Action/Adventure

A cultured diplomat joins a band of savage warriors in time to meet an even more fearsome enemy in this historical adventure. In 922 A.D., Ibn Fadlan (Antonio Banderas) is a Muslim emissary from Baghdad en route to meet with the King of Saqaliba when he is captured by a gang of Vikings. While Ibn and his people are intelligent and well-mannered, the Vikings are a rowdy and sometimes unpleasant lot, with an unquenchable appetite for food, alcohol, and women. However, in time he develops an understanding and respect for the Viking warriors and is welcomed into their society by their leader, Buliwyf. However, Ibn must now join them as they return to their homeland once they receive word of an invasion by a huge pack of bloodthirsty invaders who will destroy and eat anything in their path -- including the flesh of the men they have killed. The 13th Warrior was based on the book Eaters of the Dead by Michael Crichton, which was in turn adapted from tales of Viking folklore. more..

Director: John McTiernan

Starring: Antonio Banderas, Diane Venora, Omar Sharif, Dennis Storhoi, Vladimir Kulich

Reviews

  • The most unexpectedly audacious, exhilarating, wildly creative adventure thriller I've seen in ages.

    Lisa Schwarzbaum - Entertainment Weekly

    27 April 2013

  • It falls short where it counts: In the final confrontation.

    Bob Graham - The San Francisco Chronicle

    27 April 2013

  • A deeply pleasurable, old-fashioned blood-'n'-guts adventure film.

    Jonathan Foreman - New York Post

    27 April 2013

  • Has a remote feel. It sometimes impresses but never soars.

    Michael Wilmington - The Chicago Tribune

    27 April 2013

  • Dramatically empty Norse warrior adventure.

    Mike Clark - USA Today

    27 April 2013

Awards

  • Outstanding Actor in a Feature Film

    ALMA Awards (2000)

  • Best Period Hair Styling - Feature

    Hollywood Makeup Artist and Hair Stylist Guild Awards (2000)

     
  • Best Theatrical Feature Film

    Imagen Foundation Awards (2000)