The
Last King (2016 aka Berkebeinerne/Magnolia/MagNet Blu-ray)
Picture:
A Sound: B+ Extras: C Film: A-
It
is the 13th century, Norway is torn by it's civil war. When the King
of Norway is murdered, the heir to the throne is only a baby. It is
up to two warriors to safely deliver him to the throne, but the road
is filled with traitors who prefer to kill the child and take the
throne for themselves in Nils Gaup's The Last King (2016).
The
King of Norway was poisoned, but before he died, he revealed his
heir. The castle is locked down, as the various lords and clan
leaders at court are now suspect to regicide. The English sees it as
an opportunity to place a puppet king of their choosing to take
control of Norway and force Christianity at the point of a sword, but
the heir to the throne is protected by two 'Birkebeiner', the
Birkebeinerne are loyalists and fierce mountain warriors who can
survive in the frozen mountains. They know the child is the rightful
heir to the throne, they risk their people, their clan, their honor,
their life and limb to deliver the child safely home. They must not
only cross the treacherous mountains, but fight an army of assassins
and soldiers that are sent after them to kill the child.
Based
on a true story, the film turns the story into an epic legend of two
warriors protecting an innocent infant. The setting, cast, characters
and costumes were all well done. It is about a time when clans of
Norway opposed to the forced Christianity on them and Norway's fierce
mountain warriors, death before loss of honor creed.
The
1080p 2.35 X 1 digital High Definition image is an exceptionally
impressive all-digital shoot, while the
Norwegian DTS-HD MA (Master Audio) 5.1 lossless mix may not be as
impressive, but its fine, well recorded and has fine surrounds.
Extras include interviews,
the Last King Music Video: Bifrost
and trailer.
-
Ricky Chiang
