Hammer of the Gods (2013 film)
 | This article consists almost entirely of a plot summary. (July 2014) |
| Hammer of the Gods | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical poster | |
| Directed by | Farren Blackburn |
| Written by | Matthew Read |
| Produced by | Rupert Preston Huberta Von Liel |
| Starring | Charlie Bewley Clive Standen James Cosmo |
| Cinematography | Stephan Pehrsson |
| Edited by | Sam Williams |
| Music by | Benjamin Wallfisch |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Magnet Releasing |
Release date |
|
Running time | 103 min |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $641[2] |
Hammer of the Gods is a 2013 British action film directed by Farren Blackburn and released on 5 July 2013. In it, a dying Viking king sends his son on a quest to seek out his older brother, the clan's only hope for defeating an approaching enemy horde.
Plot
Britain 871 AD. Young Viking prince Steiner, leads a compliment of 500 reserve warriors to England, following a Saxon uprising that is crushing the occupying forces led by his father; King Bagsecg. Arriving at his father's camp, Steiner attends a family meeting with his father and brothers; Harold his oldest and Vali his younger half brother, who is disliked by everyone but Steiner for being half Saxon. Absent is Steiner's oldest brother; Hakan, who has not been seen for over a decade due to a bitter dispute between him and their father, the cause unknown to Steiner.
Bagsecg who is bed ridden and dying threats of leaving the rule of his people to Harold who's loyalty and commitment to their tribe has come in to question. He orders Steiner to kill Vali for cowardliness, to test his strength as a leader.
He refuses and warns off Harold who attempts to do so to gain favour with their father. Furious, Bagsecg dismisses Harold and Vali and charges Steiner with the near impossible task to venture deep in to hostile English lands and find Hakan to assume the throne, despite his content for his eldest son.
Steiner departs with his most trusted comrades: his closest friend Hagen, a Berserker named Grim, and Jokul; a superstitious believer in omens. Later they are joined by Vali who warns he has witnessed Harold secretly meeting with the Saxon King. Despite the urgency to return, Steiner pushes forward.
They approach Ivar, a Viking recluse and paedophile who lives with a slave girl named Agnes's and a mute catamite. He agrees to lead them to where he believes Hakan to be and departs with Agnes while abandoning his catamite.
The group however are pursued by hooded men who slay Grim in their first attack, and later capture the rest. Revealed to be soldiers of the Christian faith, their captain confirms that Harold has been secretly negotiating a surrender, provided he still remain in power over his people. But the captain proposes to Steiner that he would be best suited to rule his people, if he agrees to submit to Christianity. Steiner refuses; knowing the strangle hold it would have on his race. Vali though does to save his own neck and is taken to a nearby church, while Ivar is castrated for his perversions and foul talk.
Agnes who had evaded capture frees Steiner who then frees Hagen and Jokul. Irah dies from blood loss but tells Steiner where he may find Hakan. They rescue Vali, but Hagen and Jokul demand he be killed for his cowardliness and treachery. Forcing Steiner to kill Hagen instead to protect his brother.
Now down to four, they head in to an eerie forest and are captured again; this time by a tribe who dwell deep within a nearby cave. Taken there, Steiner is brought before their chief; his brother Hakan, who the tribe worship as a god. A delusion he himself beliefs.
Jokul is literally made in to a stew, Vali again switches sides but is eventually killed, while Agnes is claimed by Hakan. It revealed also that Astrid; Steiner’s mother whom he thought dead is alive and present in the cave, and is too deluded by Hakan's megalomania.
Further shocking revelations are made as Steiner learns finally the truth behind Hakan's exile. Too his disgust his mother and brother openly share a passionate kiss, revealing their incestuous relationship.
The brothers are lowered in to a dark pit to fight to the death, but despite Astrid secretly handing Hakan a knife, Steiner emerges the victor. The tribe bow in submission while Astrid; furious at Hakan's death attempts to kill him, but is cast in to the pit.
Steiner returns to Bagsecg's camp with Agnes, and presents Hakan's head to his father. Harold argues he was supposed to bring Hakan back alive. But Bagsecg responds “He was sent to find a king” seeing that Steiner is now ready to lead their people.
Steiner then kills Harold for his treachery; much to Bagsech's applause. Later with Agnes by his side Steiner musters his army to confront the approaching Saxon forces.
Cast
- Charlie Bewley as Prince Steinar
- Clive Standen as Hagen
- Michael Jibson as Grim
- James Cosmo as King Bagsecg
- Elliot Cowan as Hakan
- Guy Flanagan as Jokul
- Glynis Barber as Astrid
- Ivan Kaye as Ivar
- Alexandra Dowling as Agnes
- Finlay Robertson as Prince Harold
- Frances Magee as Ulric The Chronicler
- Salomon Thomson as Wilfred
- Michael Lindall as Leader Saxon
- Laura Sibbick as Woman Saxon
- Theo Barklem-Biggs as Prince Vali
- Daniel Stephen Price as the ginger king from Hertford
Release
![[icon]](/enwiki/wiki/File:Wiki_letter_w_cropped.svg){kind=small} | This section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (July 2014) |
Reception
| This section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (July 2014) |
References
- ^ "Hammer of the Gods Trailer, News, Videos, and Reviews". ComingSoon.net. 2013-07-05. Retrieved 2013-09-09.
- ^ "Hammer of the Gods (2013)". Box Office Mojo. 2013-07-18. Retrieved 2013-09-09.