BEOWULF (1999)

MORGAN'S RATING

Christopher Lambert stars in this futuristic update of the classic poem written in 900 AD and set in a world of supernatural evil and inexplicable danger! Torn from a legend whose roots are buried in the mists of time, Beowulf is half-man-half god. Living in a techno-futile world of the future, Beowulf fights his way through a besieging army and into the a mysterious ominous castle on the edge of nowhere to face an evil within...a beastly spawn of man and demon named Grendel. Now he must fight to the death -- in order to quell the raging violence hidden deep in his own bedeviled soul!

Christopher Lambert (Beowulf), Rhona Mitra (Kyra), Oliver Cotton (Hrothgar), Gotz Otto (Roland), Vincent Hammond (Grendel), Charles Robinson (Weaponsmaster), Brent Jefferson Lowe (Will), Roger Sloman (Karl), Layla Roberts (Grendal's Mother), Robert Wilcox (Chief Officer), Patricia Velasquez (Pendra), Marcello Cobzarju (Lookout), Vlad Jipa (Sentry), Diana Dumbrava (Hrothgar's Wife), Andrei Rusu (1st Soldier), Vitalie Bantas (1st Guard), Dan Alexandru (Eyepatch Lieutenant), Florin Preoteasa (Executioner), Julian Ilinca (Executioner's Assistant), Dorjn Zaharja (Siege Soldier).

A FORTRESS AT THE EDGE OF DARKNESS. AN ENEMY WITHIN THAT ONLY ONE MAN CAN CONQUER!

PRODUCTION INFORMATION

DIRECTOR: Graham Baker. WRITERS: Mark Leahy and David Chappe, and based on the epic poem by Anonymous. PRODUCERS: Gregory Cascante, Lawrence Kasanoff and Donald Kushner. CO-PRODUCERS: Frank Hildebrand and Mark Leahy.  EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Jane Barclay, Sharon Harel, Peter Locke and Alison Savitch. LINE PRODUCERS: Susan E. Levin and Joshua Wexler. ORIGINAL MUSIC: Ben Watkins. DISTRIBUTOR: Dimension Films.

FACTS

RELEASE DATE: October 17th, 2000 (USA) (VIDEO PREMIERE) BUDGET: $20 million (USA) SHOOTING DATES: September 1997 -- ???

QUOTES

Beowulf: I must fight the evil to keep from becoming evil.

Beowulf: You were right. It was your magic that brought me here. Kyra: And it will be my magic that brings you back.

CRITICAL COMMENTS

"An interesting attempt at reinterpreting and resetting the myth. That is, the attempt is interesting. The finished product is not especially interesting." -- Nathan Shumate, Cold Fusion Video Reviews

Beowulf: You don't have to be good all the time. Just when it matters.

Will the Weapons Master: Only a fool would want to come to this damn place. Beowulf: Unless he was already damned.

"In the end, Beowulf boils down to Christopher Lambert and low budget action. If you're a fan of Christopher Lambert, you'll enjoy this movie. If you like low budget action, you'll not only enjoy it, but also be pleasantly surprised at some of the quality...It's definately a like it or loathe it film." -- Ziggy's Video Realm

Beowulf: [to Grendel] I'm like you. I'm one of the damned.

Will: You know Carl, with all the cool ways to die around here, I'd rather not go by heart-attack.

Kyra: You should be dead. Beowulf: Many times.

Hrothgar: It came in broad daylight! Beowulf: It's tiring of the game. It wants it done.