Stonegiant wrote: The Arab figure in the movie is based on the actual Arab merchant that travelled among the vikings whose writings have given great insight to their culture.
Nope, from IMDB
Since Michael Crichton published his novel "Eaters of the Dead" in 1976, the basis of this film, it has become regarded as one of the most notorious hoaxes in Librarianship Circles. The Ahmad Tusi Manuscript that Crichton referenced in his bibliography as being the source of this story, is completely made up. The name of the translator Fraus Dolus is in fact two Latin words meaning both 'hoax' and 'fraud'. The University of Oslo, where this manuscript is supposed to be kept, have (since the book was published), on an annual basis had to send out letters telling enquirers that they have been the victim of a hoax.
Stonegiant wrote: The Arab figure in the movie is based on the actual Arab merchant that travelled among the vikings whose writings have given great insight to their culture.
Nope, from IMDB
Since Michael Crichton published his novel "Eaters of the Dead" in 1976, the basis of this film, it has become regarded as one of the most notorious hoaxes in Librarianship Circles. The Ahmad Tusi Manuscript that Crichton referenced in his bibliography as being the source of this story, is completely made up. The name of the translator Fraus Dolus is in fact two Latin words meaning both 'hoax' and 'fraud'. The University of Oslo, where this manuscript is supposed to be kept, have (since the book was published), on an annual basis had to send out letters telling enquirers that they have been the victim of a hoax.
What I was referring to was the writings of Ibn Fadlan and his account of the cremation of a Rus chief along the Volga river in 992AD. This work is refrenced by Regis Boyer in his 1973 AD book The Religions of Northern Europe. I figured the character was fictional as this Arab did not travel with the Vikings, I figured he was the inspiration for Crichton's character. Did not know the other story.
I want to hear what you did in the dungeon, not the voting booth. Politics and rules minutia both bore me in my opinion.
Stonegiant wrote:
What I was referring to was the writings of Ibn Fadlan and his account of the cremation of a Rus chief along the Volga river in 992AD. This work is refrenced by Regis Boyer in his 1973 AD book The Religions of Northern Europe. I figured the character was fictional as this Arab did not travel with the Vikings, I figured he was the inspiration for Crichton's character. Did not know the other story.
Nope. 13th warrior was always meant to be fiction, which makes sense as the story was based on Beowulf.
Stonegiant wrote:But when you are making a movie about a historical figure and events than I feel you are obligated to be as accurate as possible....
...To me what this is, is another example of Hollywood revisionist history that thwarts the attempts of historians to keep people informed of what was really going on.
Hollywood is not usually in the business of making historical documents; they're busy making movies. There is no obligation to be historically accurate.
The problem lies with people who aren't willing to read a book to learn real history, not movies. At no time did The 13th Warrior claim that it was in any way historically accurate. I've read a great deal about the Viking Age, and my knowledge only enhanced my enjoyment of the movie.
Grendel (the critter): I always pictured as being ogrish, like some huge, blasphemous, hairy, man-beast, ripping arms out of sockets and the like.
Grendel (the comic): Never read it.
Beowulf (the movie): Junk. I don't think I can handle anything Christopher Lambert has ever been in. Highlander included!
Beowulf (the ship): Kicks @$$, but not as intimate and kewl as the scout Aurora.
13th Warrior: Something was familiar about this flick, but I didn't realise it was Beowulf until a friend pointed it out much later. I liked the way it was fantastic, with mysterious beastmen, fireworms, magic, etc.; but also realistic (with logical explanations to everything). It reall would have benefited from more historical accuracy though.
