Viking, la naissance d'une nation

The Russians sure have a tradition to do majestic movies and this is aiming to follow in those footsteps. It has really nice settings, costomes and armour. When it comes to the script they have really worked hard to go to the sources and depict what we know of Ruriks decendants. It´s hard to follow though, and even if I know the storys since before I lose track on who is doing what. My interest in the period probably flavours me.

But, the fighting and acting is decent, and the fact that they have put the effort to bring a cast from different countries to bring deapth to the characters and cultures is really nice. I will watch this one again when I have the chance. Kudos for trying to keep close to the sources even if the old style is hard for a modern person to comprehend.

I party can understand the low rating, it is a bit strange movie, and maybe partly inaccurate (I'm not an expert on Russian history; a Russian friend I asked wasn't very convinced about the whole Viking dominance thing depicted in the movie in that period of history, but anyway). I gave it 7 stars for something that I think needs mentioning: it is one of the very few movies out there to include Byzantium. Hollywood doesn't even know what that is. 'Historical' american movies know only: Cleopatra, Julius Caesar, and maybe some thing up until the fall of the Western part of the Roman Empire at the most. After that: the complete vacuum. Well, at least this movie shows a very historically rich period. I liked the scene where the Russians talk with the Romans regarding marriage arrangements, where the Roman envoy speaks Greek, as was the case back then (and they're correctly called Romans in the movie, thus avoiding the anachronism typical of almost all English-speaking historical movies). In summary, definite must see for those interested in Byzantium.

A beautiful movie about Vladimir I of Kiev and a fine chance to get more familiar with Eastern Europe's Medieval History.

Shot with artistic talent and historical accuracy, the movie shows the clash between Scandinavian, Rus, Greek-Roman and Turkic populations at the dawn of the second Millennium.

And Russian historians are among the finest on this period (those who have an interest in Byzantine History know very well who Georg Alexandrovič Ostrogorsky was) so I would not agree with those who complained on this matter.

Calling the movie 'Viking' shows a sophisticated knowledge of Saint Vladimir's life. But it might be deceiving for greater audiences.

Really? Spend a 1 500 000 000 RUB & 7 years to film that bullshit? What a joke, and not a piece of true with a historic moments! Seems director and writer never read a book about that time! Prince Vladimir of Novgorod seems to be an idiot with no power in hand, it is not possible to become a powerful person with such of behaviar as he!

So do not recommend to watch it, at all!

It is always difficult to make a movie based on historical facts. One must do a thorough research and properly put those facts in the movie. But one should also try to make that movie interesting and entertaining. Otherwise you'll get a protracted documentary.

First of all, the title has almost nothing to do with the story. The story indeed follows the historical facts, but is told in such a messy way, full of illogical, irrational and unjustifiable events and decisions that it is tiresome to watch. You will find illogicality and complete idiocy even during the fight scenes. Moreover, this movie has no specific plot, no higher agenda and no epic moments, which all makes it difficult for the spectators to connect with the story.

The story is practically about just one person and I kept wondering why it is so. Throughout the whole movie, the main character is completely and utterly useless, failing each and every challenge in front of him. Call it a paradox, but he somehow managed to fail even when he was winning. I wonder if director's decision was to purposely make this character so weak and clumsy. If it was, it's a bad decision because no one wants to watch a 2-hour movie where the main protagonist is a weakling and an idiot. If it wasn't, then the director has totally failed at his creation. I didn't "see" the main character. I didn't believe in him for one moment. He is not strong, he is not smart, he is not a great warrior, and not a great leader. So why is he the main character?

I do not blame any of the actors, they really did their best. I blame the writers and the producers for ruining the potential this story had. Thus, I do not recommend this movie, there are far better ways to spend your time than watching this nonsense.