Wrath of Gods

I attended the Oxford International Film Festival on Friday, April 6, 2007. It was a memorable experience. I so enjoyed Wrath of Gods and can't wait for the DVD. I knew nature had wreaked havoc during the filming of Beowulf & Grendel just from the B&G DVD but Jon showed us just how bad it really was. Jon did a fantastic job of film-making/narrating and his comments afterward were very informative. He is so personable. I had traveled to Canada from Michigan last year to see the movie Beowulf & Grendel....what a treat! When I heard that Wrath of Gods was being shown at the Oxford IFF....I had to go and it's a 6 hour drive from Michigan. I wasn't disappointed! Congratulations to all involved in this and to Jon and Gerry Butler for believing in Wrath.

I saw this at the Waterfront Film Festival in Saugatuck, Michigan.

The documentary is about the filming of Beowulf and Grendel starring Gerard Butler and Stelland Skarsgard. Jon Gustafsson, the director of the documentary, had a minor role in the film and spent many days on the set doing nothing, so he decided to take a camera and start shooting the production. Filmed in Iceland, the production of Beowulf and Grendel faced many catastrophes. Constant budget problems and horrible weather conditions nearly every day made the fall production in 2004 unbearable.

It was very interesting to watch and see how determined Sturla Gunnarsson, the director of Beowulf and Grendel, was. He had to finish the film. I have yet to see the finished film, but now I must seek it out. Regardless of how the movie turns out to be (Gustafsson himself told me I might not be impressed) I will have a great respect for the film.

Gustafsson was the festival and was a cool guy. Someone asked him if the documentary made the production of the film look worse than it really was. He replied that when he showed it to a fellow member of the film Beowulf if he thought the documentary did that, the person said, "No, it's sugar-coated".

I saw the CBC broadcast of Wrath of Gods and it was absolutely fantastic. This documentary tells the behind scenes story of all that the cast and crew went through in the filming of Beowulf and Grendel. You had to see it to believe it. I enjoyed every last minute of Wrath of Gods and went from Oh No! to laughing out loud. It left me wanting to see the complete feature length version that is soon to be released on DVD. Jon Gustafsson is to be commended for capturing the filming of Beowulf and Grendel and turning that footage into a superb film all its own. Wrath of gods is a must see piece of entertainment bliss!!!!!!!!! Ruby

I just finished watching the whole DVD and it's no surprise that I thoroughly enjoyed it. I have to say that as interesting as the film is, your narration and the music is what drew me in. The tone of your voice together with the music was a perfect match. You did a great job mixing everything together.

Sturla is a true optimist. Faced with all the difficulties and having the right to feel beaten at times, he still persevered.

Gerry is, of course, Gerry. Professional, determined and funny. He went through hell but still was able to give an excellent performance and retain his sense of humor.

Everyone involved with Beowulf and Grendel should be very proud of their accomplishment. The adversity that was overcome to make this movie is amazing. Wrath Of Gods brings to light what sheer determination (and some luck) can do to make dreams become reality. This film would be an excellent teaching tool for any aspiring filmmaker! Congratulations Jon, very well done!!! Janet

Great doc!!!! about the making of a GREAT MOVIE!!! Wrath of Gods is about the agonies the cast and crew had to endure during the making of Sturla Gunnarsson's wondrously magical film, 'Beowulf and Grendel, (and it does in no way compare to Lost in LaMancha Terry Gilliam's lost tale of Don Quixote).

Watching the movie, I could feel the icy rain and the northern wind during the movie and they are even more evident in Wrath.

As an actor and sometimes director myself, I could immediately relate to everything they were going through but can't image how they were able to endure and still produce such a wonderful, beautiful and thoroughly entertaining movie.

It's breathtakingly beautiful and Beowulf (Gerry Butler) and Selma (Sarah Polley) give wonderfully truthful and memorable performances.

If you haven't seen Sturla Gunnarrson's 'Beowulf and Grendel' don't walk but run to your local video store and buy a copy, otherwise you'll be kicking yourself as you'll need to see it again and again.