Prey for the living.|Aug. 13, 1999|USA|102 Min.|R
Genre: Action;Adventure;History
Description: Ahmad ibn Fadlan, a court poet of the Abbasid Caliph Al-Muqtadir in Baghdad, is exiled as an ambassador to the Volga Bulgars after a scandalous affair with a nobleman’s wife. During his journey, his caravan is attacked by Tatar raiders but is saved by a group of Norsemen. Seeking refuge in their settlement, Ahmad and his companion, Melchisidek, communicate with the Norsemen through Herger, a Latin-speaking warrior. They learn that the Norsemen are mourning their recently deceased king and witness a ritual where the king’s son, Buliwyf, becomes the heir after a fatal duel. The king is then cremated in a Viking funeral, accompanied by a young woman who volunteered to join him in Valhalla.
The next day, a young prince named Wulfgar arrives, seeking Buliwyf’s help to defend his homeland in the far north against a terrifying ancient evil. A wise woman, the “angel of death,” prophesies that thirteen warriors must undertake the mission, with the thirteenth being a non-Norseman. Despite his reluctance, Ahmad is chosen to join the group. Initially mocked for his perceived weakness, Ahmad gains the respect of the Norsemen by quickly learning their language, demonstrating his horsemanship, and showcasing his ability to write. Buliwyf, impressed by Ahmad’s intellect, forms a bond with him, recognizing his analytical mind as a valuable asset for their perilous quest.
Cast director: John McTiernan
Cast actor: Antonio Banderas, Diane Venora, Dennis Storhøi, Vladimir Kulich, Omar Sharif, Anders T. Andersen, Richard Bremmer, Tony Curran, Mischa Hausserman, Neil Maffin
Original name: The 13th Warrior