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The Last King

Original title: Birkebeinerne
  • 2016
  • R
  • 1h 39m
IMDb RATING
6.1/10
8K
YOUR RATING
Jakob Oftebro and Kristofer Hivju in The Last King (2016)
In civil war-ravaged Norway,  the King, aided by rebel group the Birch Legs, fights for survival against the Church's Bishopsmen, who seek to supplant the throne. On his deathbed after falling ill, the King soon welcomes a son, born in secrecy, as half the Kingdom wants him dead. Tasked with guarding the only remaining heir to the throne, two Birch Legs warriors, Skjervald (Oftebro) and Torstein (Hivju), escape with the infant and must traverse treacherous landscapes to protect their future King.
Play trailer1:48
3 Videos
86 Photos
Costume DramaMountain AdventurePeriod DramaSword & SandalActionDramaHistoryWar

In the year 1204 Norway is raged by civil war. The King's illegitimate infant son, Håkon Håkonsson, which half the kingdom wants killed off, is guarded in secrecy by two men. A story which c... Read allIn the year 1204 Norway is raged by civil war. The King's illegitimate infant son, Håkon Håkonsson, which half the kingdom wants killed off, is guarded in secrecy by two men. A story which changed the course of the country's history.In the year 1204 Norway is raged by civil war. The King's illegitimate infant son, Håkon Håkonsson, which half the kingdom wants killed off, is guarded in secrecy by two men. A story which changed the course of the country's history.

  • Director
    • Nils Gaup
  • Writer
    • Ravn Lanesskog
  • Stars
    • Jakob Oftebro
    • Kristofer Hivju
    • Torkel Dommersnes Soldal
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.1/10
    8K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Nils Gaup
    • Writer
      • Ravn Lanesskog
    • Stars
      • Jakob Oftebro
      • Kristofer Hivju
      • Torkel Dommersnes Soldal
    • 35User reviews
    • 37Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win & 1 nomination total

    Videos3

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 1:48
    Official Trailer
    The Last King
    Trailer 1:32
    The Last King
    The Last King
    Trailer 1:32
    The Last King
    'The Last King': They're Here
    Clip 2:54
    'The Last King': They're Here

    Photos85

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    Top cast29

    Edit
    Jakob Oftebro
    Jakob Oftebro
    • Skjervald
    Kristofer Hivju
    Kristofer Hivju
    • Torstein
    Torkel Dommersnes Soldal
    • Egil
    • (as Torkel D. Soldal)
    Ane Ulimoen Øverli
    Ane Ulimoen Øverli
    • Inga
    Nikolaj Lie Kaas
    Nikolaj Lie Kaas
    • Orm
    Pål Sverre Hagen
    Pål Sverre Hagen
    • Gisle
    Åsmund Brede Eike
    Åsmund Brede Eike
    • Stale
    • (as Åsmund-Brede Eike)
    Thorbjørn Harr
    Thorbjørn Harr
    • Inge
    Thea Sofie Loch Næss
    Thea Sofie Loch Næss
    • Kristin
    Jeppe Beck Laursen
    Jeppe Beck Laursen
    • Audun
    Fridtjov Såheim
    Fridtjov Såheim
    • Gard
    Bjørn Sundquist
    Bjørn Sundquist
    • Chancellor
    Jonathan Oskar Dahlgren
    • Baby Håkon Håkonson
    Ravn Lanesskog
    • Lodin
    Benjamin Helstad
    Benjamin Helstad
    • King Håkon
    Stig Henrik Hoff
    Stig Henrik Hoff
    • Erlend
    Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas
    Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas
    • Ylva
    • (as Inga Lilleaas)
    Lia Boysen
    Lia Boysen
    • Queen Margrete
    • Director
      • Nils Gaup
    • Writer
      • Ravn Lanesskog
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews35

    6.18K
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    Featured reviews

    6niutta-enrico

    Birkebeinerne: an instructive Norwegian Tale.

    I watched it out of curiosity because I never heard the term 'Birkerbeiner' before (the beautiful tale of Håkon Håkonsson hasn't reached the bulk of ignorant Mediterranean men yet) and I am more than happy to have done it.

    It wasn't really a memorable film, however: many scenes lacked realism and the plot was oversimplified, on my humble opinion. Which was something I didn't expect given the huge talent of Scandinavian screenwriters (e.g. Anders Thomas Jensen or Kim Fupz Aakeson, just to quote two of my favorites...).

    In any case it was instructive and I'm sure that many people from all around the world will enjoy the story and recognize many actors such as Kristofer Hivju (from 'Game of Thrones'), Nikolaj Lie Kaas (from 'Child 44'), Thorbjørn Harr (from 'Vikings') or Pål Sverre Hagen, (from 'Kon Tiki') who I'm sure are by now familiar faces to international audiences.
    7billteller

    Good movie

    I know absolutely nothing about Norway's history, so I'm unable to judge this for its accuracy. But it was a very enjoyable film to watch. A good mix of action, drama, a beautiful scenery. It's worth the time to invest.
    7RosanaBotafogo

    Regular, production good...

    I love films in the snow, mediable films are usually beautiful, and well produced, but they rarely attract me, the cold images must freeze my heart, there are few scenes that really interest me, uninteresting story and beat, betrayals, struggles for kingdoms, battles throne, unattractive, but the scenes with the baby stole my heart... The third and last act was the most significant, regular movie...
    6ma-cortes

    An epic adventure with full of snowy chases dealing with Norwegian medieval kings

    This is a story of legendary bravery with thrills , emotion , court intrigue adventures and spectacular snowy pursuits in James Bond films style . Based on historical events and ancient folk-tale from Norway, concerning a story which changed the course of the country's history. In the year 1206 Norway is raged by civil war. The King's illegitimate infant son, Håkon Håkonsson, which half the kingdom wants killed off, is guarded in secrecy by two men but a nasty usurper tracks them down to eliminate the true heir .

    The plot is plain and simple , two warriors protects a baby and they want to escape but aremercilessly chased , then , things go wrong . Functional but unknown cast , exception for Kristofer Hivju of Game of Thrones . There are historical remarks with appearance of some Norwegian kings , such as Håkon III Sverresson, Inge II Bårdsson & Håkon IV Håkonsson and in fact , in 1217 , 13-year-old Hakon Hakonsson took over the throne from Inge Bardson and held the kingdom for 46 years. During his reign , there was peace in Norway .

    The brutal pursuers and impressive chases deliver the goods with breathtaking scenarios. This classy adaptation is an exciting picture plenty of action, thrills, chills , roller-coaster ride, violence and breathtaking fights .Furthermore , the astonishing killings are gruesome executed and grisly graphic . There's also a certain anachronism and three languages are spoken in the movie . The atmospheric photography by cameraman Peter Mokrosinski with a sort of never-ending dawn is truly awesome. It's a kind of light mingled in a moody and foggy atmosphere. Stirring and evocative musical score by Scandinavian composer Gaute Storaas , including traditional songs . Stunning and gripping realization by Nils Gaup . He was born in 1955 in Kautokeino, Norway. Gaup is a director and actor, who has made a few but acceptable films , being especially known for Pathfinder (1987), , Misery harbour (1989) , Above Water (1993) , North star (1996) , Journey to the Christmas Star (2012) and The last King (2017) . Gaup turned down offers to direct No without my daughter (1991) with Sally Field, RoboCop (1987) and many others. He began to direct Waterworld (1995), but he thought the budget was blown up and the project too difficult to handle. Rating : 6/10. Acceptable and passable.
    7SeaBassEon

    Longest ski chase in the history of cinema

    Anyone who likes medieval action movie or historical re-enactment will enjoy this film. It's not a memorable film unfortunately. Sure there's dynamic double axe battles, Nordic landscapes to admire and history but it lacks that special touch masterpieces have.

    Two men carry and protect the baby son of the dead king of Norwegia across the mountains from Lilhammer. They are Norwegian Ski Infantry (Birkebeiner).The Church wants this baby dead in order to take control of the other half of the country. Inspired by true events, these heroic stories changed Norwegian history forever.

    Modern Birkebeiner racers also re-enact the famous ski tour, this time around going in the opposite direction. They are all required to bear a backpack weighing at least 3.5 kilos, meant to represent the pack containing the royal infant.

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    Mountain Adventure
    Emma Watson, Saoirse Ronan, Florence Pugh, and Eliza Scanlen in Little Women (2019)
    Period Drama
    Russell Crowe in Gladiator (2000)
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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Three languages are spoken in the film. The Birkebeiner speak Norwegian, the Baglers speak Danish, and Queen Margrete speaks Swedish. This is actually an anachronism as the Nordic languages had not split into completely different languages at the time and the characters would have spoken more or less the same language, albeit with heavy accents.
    • Goofs
      The Norwegian coat of arms (a golden lion wearing a crown and holding an axe) appears throughout the movie, which takes place in and around 1204. However, the coat of arms did not exist in this form until approximately 1280.
    • Quotes

      Orm: There is a boy... of royal blood. Where is he hidden?

      Skjervald: I don't know what you're talking about.

      Orm: Do you care so little for your family, that you would sacrifice their lives... for a dead king?

    • Crazy credits
      Quote at end of credits: "The difference between a novelist and a historian is this: that the former tells lies deliberately and for the fun of it; the historian tells lies and imagines he is telling the truth"
    • Soundtracks
      Bifröst
      Vocals by Helene Bøksle

      Written by Gaute Storaas, Cecilie Larsen and Helene Bøksle

      Composed by Gaute Storaas and performed by Bratislava Symphony Orchestra

      ©(p) 2016 Lydmuren

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    FAQ19

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • June 17, 2016 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • Norway
      • Denmark
      • Sweden
      • Ireland
      • Hungary
    • Official site
      • Official Facebook
    • Language
      • Norwegian
    • Also known as
      • Останній король
    • Filming locations
      • Lillehammer, Norway(location)
    • Production companies
      • Nordisk Film Production
      • Paradox
      • Proton Cinema
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • NOK 45,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $8,905
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $4,599
      • Jun 19, 2016
    • Gross worldwide
      • $3,705,618
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 39m(99 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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