"The Thirteenth Warrior" or "Beowulf"

[white avenger]

For those who have seen both versions of the English classic, which do you prefer? "The Thirteenth Warrior," which attempts to tell the story of Beowulf as though it were an actual event that became exaggerated and myth-ified over the generations; or "Beowulf," the CGI 3D fantasy version that more or less stuck to the fantasy story as we know it today?

(And, please, don't just base your decision on Anjolina Joline's bare backside)

I preferred "The Thirteenth Warrior," simply because something like that actually COULD have happened.

 

[sk]

Don't have much to say about the subject but I really liked "The 13th Warrior".
Thought it was an excellent movie even though it was a huge flop. (If I remember correctly)

The CGI based Beowulf was also pretty cool, but I would rather see "The 13th Warrior" again if had to choose.

/SK

 

[Kean]

I've haven't scene either although I've read Beowulf several times. I don't know, there is something horrifically unbeliveable about Angelina Jolie being Grendel's Mother. I could never manage to suspend belief long enough to watch it.

 

[Old Master 3.0]

I actually enjoyed both movies (and have them among my DVD collection), but given the choice I'd go with "The 13th Warrior" for pretty much the same reason White Avenger gave.

Plus, ya gotta love some of those quotes from that film......


* "When you die, can I give that to me daughter?"

* "Give an Arab a sword, he makes a knife."

* "My mother .....was a pure woman from a noble family. And I, at least, know who my father is, you pig-eating son of a whore!"

😛

 

[Blondie Bear]

I like both of them, as well. The Gaiman Beowulf is a bit over-the-top, crazy, fun, and ties together lines of the story that the original didn't do in a believable (you know, believable within this whole fantasy world) way. The 13th Warrior is grittier, a bit more subtle with its references (okay, a LOT more subtle with its references), and has some of the best one-liners ever. "Ride 'til we find them, then kill them all," anyone?

As teaching tools, the Gaiman Beowulf is easier for my kids to understand. I showed them the last 20 minutes or so of The 13th Warrior in class, and when I asked them to point out some parallels, they all sat and stared at me. They didn't catch a single one of them. Not even Buliwyf's name. Or the Wendol. Or killing the mother. Or Buliwyf dying of poisoning. Or going underground and underwater. I was ready to start throwing things.