Berserker (2004 film)
{{short description|2004 fantasy-action-horror film}}
{{Use South African English|date=November 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2022}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Berserker
| image =
| alt =
| caption =
| director = Paul Matthews
| producer = Paul Matthews
| writer = Paul Matthews
| narrator = Paul Johansson
| starring = Paul Johansson
Craig Sheffer
Kari Wührer
Patrick Bergin
| music = Mark Thomas
| cinematography = Vincent G. Cox
| editing = Peter Davies
| studio =
| distributor =
| released = {{Film date|2004|5|11||df=y}}
| runtime = 83 minutes
| country = South Africa
| language = English
| budget =
| gross =
}}
Berserker, also known as Berserker: Hell's Warrior, is a fantasy-action-horror film based on Norse mythology. It was written, directed and produced by Paul Matthews and had its main release in 2004.{{cite web|url=http://letterboxd.com/film/berserker-2004/
|title=Berserker|publisher=letterboxd.com|accessdate=2013-08-06}}{{cite web|url=http://www.peakviewing.co.uk/trailers/berserker/index.html
|title=Berserker, Hell's Warrior
|publisher=peakviewing.co.uk|accessdate=2013-08-06}}
Plot
The film begins with a voice-over by Barek who refers to a Norse legend. According to the saga, Odin was spurned by Brunhild. The irate Norse god chained her to an altar in Asgard, surrounded by a ring of eternal fire. He decreed that only a pure-hearted man could overcome the supernatural flames and save the alluring Valkyrie. Her saviour's fate should then be connected to hers forever. As Barek explains, he and his only brother learned about this as little boys and craved more and more to rescue the legendary beauty as they grew older.
As it is later on successively revealed by flashbacks, Boar eventually could not resist anymore and entered the ring of fire. Hereby he suffered severe burns. Barek followed him into the fire and remained wondrously unharmed. He unchained the Valkyrie and persuaded her to save Boar's life. Unfortunately her bite turned Boar into a cannibalistic Berserker.
When their father, Viking leader Thorsson is in need of reinforcements because he is in war with the Army of the Nord, he joins an alliance with the Berserkers who are now led by Boar. Following their combined campaign, they fight each other. Thorsson uses fire against the otherwise immortal Berserker Boar. Barek cannot bear see his brother burning and calls Odin for help. Odin complies with Barek's request but from now the fates of Barek, Boar, and Brunhilda are interlinked by a timeless curse.
Cast
- Paul Johansson as Barek
- Craig Sheffer as Boar
- Kari Wuhrer as Brunhilda / Anya
- Patrick Bergin as Thorsson
Reception
The film was called "over-ambitious" and even a "train wreck".{{cite web|url=http://wtf-film.com/site/2011/02/berserker/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130807000000/http://wtf-film.com/site/2011/02/berserker/|url-status=dead|archive-date=2013-08-07|title=Berserker|author=Klotz, Denis|publisher=wtf-film.com|date=2011-02-11|accessdate=2013-08-06}} The sounds of the valkyries reminded another critic of the "hissing" of his cat "when she sees another cat".{{cite web|url=http://www.vikingsofbjornstad.com/VikingMovies.htm|title=The Viking Movie List|author=Garrett, Jack|publisher=vikingsofbjornstad.com|accessdate=2013-08-06}} In February 2018, the film was released with Rifftrax commentary.{{cite web|url=https://www.rifftrax.com/berserker-hells-warrior|title=Berserker, Hell's Warrior|author=Rifftrax|publisher=Rifftrax.com}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb title|0264410|Berserker}}
- {{rotten-tomatoes|berserker-hells-warrior|Berserker}}
Category:English-language South African films
Category:Films based on Norse mythology
Category:2000s English-language films
Category:Films directed by Paul Matthews
Category:English-language fantasy films
Category:South African fantasy films
Category:2000s South African films
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