John McTiernan's "The 13th Warrior"

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that "The 13th Warrior" rates as an example of effective, if not perfect, film making, which carries a less than subtle message about society's need to subjugate and dominate the primitive nature of man. The author points out that the movie's main storyline, which is tightly plotted, concise, largely self-evident, and linear, serves to show clearly the struggle between the civilized Vikings and the less advanced Wendol. The paper relates that the cinematography of Peter Menzies, Jr., one of the best features of the movie itself, acts as a lavish backdrop to the struggle between the civilized and the primitive.

From the Paper:

"This subtext of the fight of the civilized against the barbaric is set against the atmospheric, moody tone of the film. The Viking's foes are the disturbingly creepy Wendol, a creature that is half-man and half bear. We are introduced to the Wendol as "mist-monsters" and flesh eaters who appear only in the mist and carry off soldiers. Battle scenes occur in the dark and mist, and blood is split copiously and with great graphic detail, creating a deeply disturbing atmosphere of terror and evil that permeates the movie. A great deal of the film is shot in almost darkness, and the battle scenes are carried out in an atmosphere evocative of a suspenseful horror movie. Overall, the effect is spooky and engaging, and illustrates the fight of civilization (seen in the light) against the unknown horrors of barbarism and the primitive (seen in the brutal violence of the mist and darkness)."

More papers on John McTiernan's "The 13th Warrior":

• Book Review # 73819 : "The Woman Warrior"
• Analytical Essay # 55918 : "The Woman Warrior"
• Book Review # 105059 : "Maxine Hong Kingston's "The Woman Warrior"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: