In the Shadow of the Raven (1988)

an ambitious but ultimately ineffective debut endeavor.

At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.

The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

I don't know if you've ever seen a movie about vikings, but as far as i know they are few. Of those I've seen this and the one before (korpen flyger) and i think that they are the only "true" viking movies up to this point.This movie has pretty bad image and sound quality which is understandable since its old. But it wins my heart for it's story, it follows a kind of norm in viking tales, basically an eye for an eye. This movie is a follow-up on the story told in "Korpen flyger" so that one should be watched first in my opinion.I am no expert in vikings or history but i have read a lot about them and many sagas (if not all) from the "Edda", anyways i liked this movie because it feels natural and real.Some warnings though: 1. It may not be so interesting for you if you're not interested in vikings. 2. They speak Icelandic and the one i saw had Swedish subtitles only, so beware, you may not understand a word.

Another great film from Iceland. What a beautiful and deep work! I saw it many times in my home country, Russia, as it was shown on central TV quite often in 1999-2001. The story is breathtaking - Trausti, who has become a Christian, returns to Iceland from Europe, but then he is thought to be lost at sea and while he is still not found, his house is looted, his people are murdered and he is virtually alone. Then, his revenge starts. Trausti finds new people who will help him to avenge his family and friends. Finally, he uses a very sly method, with the help of nature - in fact, a geyser, that is used as a water heater there. Then, mostly all of his enemies are destroyed and although Trausti is revenged, the film leaves you with a heavy heart, as so many people are dead. What is great in this film is the brilliant, severe nature, with terrible rains all the time. It is not merely a background for the action, no, it acts and work out as a real hero there, too. Other big plus is the role of the fat, greedy Bishop, who is the actual master of the lands, and he is a vile, sinful, horrid creature, with no drop of Christian mercy inside. His power is enormous and his deeds are so gruesome that you feel a deep disgust to him. The very fact that even in a "baptized" land people still pray to hidden statues of Thor explains much in this film. The faith has not come, and the nominal religion is used for masking the bloody crimes. Watch this splendid and breathtaking film, you really must do it.

I thought this was the better one, the plot is that Trausti comes home from Norway where he had studied Christian, when he arrives to Iceland it's been a whale which stranded, and another family gets to it at the same time as Trausti's family does, meanwhile they are fighting about the whale Traustis mother is stabbed in her ass and dies(funny eh!) then Traustis men wants revenge, but Trausti who dislikes fighting just slams his sword in the ground over and over again, after some scenes I've forgot Trausti and a girl from Eiriks(the other family) family gets together when Traustis men killed her father(Eirik), they are going to get married, but no one from Eiriks family agrees to that, so during the love night Eirik's followers burns down the house they're in and killing everyone who comes out from there, and Isold(the girl Trausti marries) comes out running, but her secret lover mistakes her from being Trausti and throws a knife in her chest. Then Trausti wants revenge, but he doesn't want to fight(cause of him being Christian and all) but after some scenes he gets his revenge.A very good film if you like this Country-Western movies which got scenes with shots of each other eyes for like 5 minutes, saying nothing,All movies from Iceland are about Revenge, and that's what Hollywood movies build upon, like Once Upon A Time In The West etc.

I just saw the movie here at Rice University. I was very lucky because the director was here with us brought by our English Department. He was very kind to share stories and anecdotes about the movie and answer our questions. I must admit I am very biased because I'm in love with Iceland but if there others over there like me, we do need to see this movie. Gee...I'm still in the XI century with all that people fighting against that landscape and those brave men. Anyways, it was very nice to talk to the director (the Icelandic consul was here as well) but I'm serious, the movie is really, really powerful. Excellent. Who wants to see the Lord of the Rings after this?????