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Gerard Butler, Stellan Skarsgård, Sarah Polley, Ingvar E. Sigurðsson, Eddie Marsan ... see more see more... , Tony Curran , Rory McCann , Ronan Vibert , Martin Delaney , Benedikt Clausen , Bryjar Agustsson , Gunnar Eyjólfsson , Hringur Ingvarsson , Spencer Wilding , Steindor Andersen

One of the oldest epic poems in the English language gets a robust visual interpretation in this historical epic shot on location in Iceland. Hrothgar (Stellan Skarsgård) is a Danish king who murders ... read more read more...a troll that has been terrorizing his countryside. But Hrothgar spares the life of the troll's strange young son, who with the passage of years grows to become Grendel (Ingvar Sigurdsson), a fearsome warrior intent upon avenging his father's death. As Grendel begins his slaughter of the king's closest confidants, Hrothgar realizes his life is in danger, and he calls upon the brave and fearless Beowulf (Gerard Butler) to track down and kill Grendel. As Beowulf and his band of warriors search for the vicious and elusive Grendel, he crosses paths with Selma (Sarah Polley), a beautiful and sensuous witch whose alliances are divided between Beowulf and his archenemy. Produced by Canadian, British, and Icelandic concerns, Beowulf & Grendel was a major box-office success in Canada before crossing south to American theaters in the summer of 2006. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Flixster Users

42% liked it

25,895 ratings

Critics

48% liked it

33 critics

R, 1 hr. 42 min.

Directed by: Sturla Gunnarsson

Release Date: July 7, 2006

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DVD Release Date: September 26, 2006

Stats: 1,545 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (1,545)

  • jmanard52
    August 21, 2010
    jmanard52
    Decent retelling of the classic tale
  • binky013
    September 8, 2010
    binky013
    Ah, pretty fast and loose with the source here. Which sometimes is not disastrous. This is not a full-blown disaster, but it's definitely not Beowulf either. Call it a fully blown half-blown disaster.
  • sanjurosamurai
    August 16, 2010
    sanjurosamurai
    this movie was really fun to watch. gerard butler is always good and it portayed the original story decently. the movie is little known so i assume they didnt have a lot of budget to work with, and it some ways that shows, but this is a pretty good movie.
  • Gx7
    December 1, 2008
    Gx7
    Heres a movie with a great story concept and good cinematography, however the production of the whole thing lacked good directing. Theres only 2 things I hated about this movie, one was the cussing, which I found utterly unecessary and greatly misplaced. the second has to be the ... read morecharacters costume, at one point they look overly done and all a-miss from the scene, and then next the'd look like a bunch of low budget performers.

    Heres 2 and a half stars though, for the interesting and unique storyline. It takes a different route from the usual "Beowulf" story and tells it, "as it was".
  • MidnightMadwoman
    June 17, 2008
    MidnightMadwoman
    One of the things I like most about this movie is the levity that carries it. Some movies get so full of themselves that they get bogged down, but not thing one. Stellan Skarsgard plays against type as the weary, drunken, annoyed and befuddled king, and there's a humanity that pe... read morervades every character. It gets extra points for referring to Grendel, multiple times, as 'that fucking troll'.
  • puffchunk
    December 2, 2007
    puffchunk
    This version of Beowulf sucked.
  • kiriyamakazou
    September 4, 2007
    kiriyamakazou
    A poor attempt at translating Beowulf. With it's overall cheap look it barely recreates any kind of ancient civilization. It extends all the wrong parts, dragging on and on and then rushing the end. The dialogue is corny with some modernised jokes thrown in which sink without a ... read moretrace or laugh. The fight scenes aren't exactly involving and the cock-hungry witch adds nothing to the story. Barely kept my attention, or my consciousness. Can't wait for Zemeckis'version which will eaither amaze, or fall as flat on its arse as this one. Butler was convincing in his role, but nobody else seemed to know where they were or more importantly what they were doing.
  • kenstachnik
    May 5, 2007
    kenstachnik
    This movie just reminds me of why myths become myths. Fiction is often more engaging than truth
  • gator681
    July 13, 2007
    gator681
    [font=Century Gothic]"Beowulf and Grendel" starts in Denmark around 500 AD when Christianity is just starting to make its presence felt. As a child, Grendel witnesses his father being killed by King Hrothgar(Stellan Skarsgard) of Denmark. As a young man(Ingvar E. Sigurdsson), h... read moree takes revenge against Hrothgar by killing a lot of men around him but leaves him alive for now. When famed hero Beowulf(Gerard Butler) hears of this, he and his men rush to Hrothgar's side to help.[/font]
    [font=Century Gothic][/font]
    [font=Century Gothic]"Beowulf and Grendel" has beautiful scenery, lush cinematography and a good cast but it is generally listless and too talky for its own good. It is a shame because there is a message about ethnic cleansing buried here somewhere. [/font]
  • kevsammal
    August 21, 2007
    kevsammal
    Great adaptation of an epic tale, with an emphasis on character rather than violent brutality. The scenic shots of Daneland (shot in Iceland) are calming to watch, especially with a great countryside to film. Butler's Beowulf and Sigurdsson's Grendel roles are excellent, shinin... read moreg above Polley and the remaining B-list talent.
    It's strangely displeasing to see the director's vision take on a religious spin, since he crams Christianity into the 'Danish god'-fearing characters at every turn. The script is terrible in some moments, noticeable due to some actors' tendencies to dip out of their accent. Butler's briliant acting brings this film up from its otherwise par production.

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Critic Reviews

Ty Burr
August 12, 2006
Ty Burr, Boston Globe

Trying to give us the true story behind the epic, the movie only reminds us of why humans write epics in the first place. Full Review

Bill Stamets
July 14, 2006
Bill Stamets, Chicago Sun-Times

A semi-mythic period piece, Beowulf & Grendel offers sublime scenery that's breathtaking and bone-chilling. Full Review

Michael Phillips
July 13, 2006
Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune

This gristle-intensive R-rated version of Beowulf travels a predictable revisionist route. Full Review

Lisa Schwarzbaum
July 12, 2006
Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly

A muscular, ardently naturalistic retelling of the ninth-century Anglo-Saxon saga. Full Review

Frank Scheck
July 11, 2006
Frank Scheck, Hollywood Reporter

Sturla Gunnarsson's film ultimately lacks the grandeur and wit necessary to make the legend fully come alive.

Lou Lumenick
July 7, 2006
Lou Lumenick, New York Post

Unfortunately, there is... jarringly contemporary English dialogue... laced with F-bombs and humor straight out of a Monty Python movie.

Elizabeth Weitzman
July 7, 2006
Elizabeth Weitzman, New York Daily News

Sturla Gunnarsson... took a look at the eighth-century epic poem Beowulf and decided he could cut it down to size. And he has, for better and worse. Full Review

Manohla Dargis
July 6, 2006
Manohla Dargis, New York Times

A more accurate title of this conceptually anemic if prettily mounted take on the Scandinavian epic might be Beowulf and the Vixen.

Bill Gallo
July 5, 2006
Bill Gallo, Village Voice

Thus does Beowulf collide with postmodern punk sensibility. Full Review

Mick LaSalle
June 30, 2006
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

Imagine the worst Deadwood episode ever, and you'll get an idea of the general tone of Beowulf & Grendel. Full Review

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Beowulf & Grendel Trivia

  • In Beowulf & Grendel, why does Grendel snap the neck of Beowulf's friend?  Answer »
  • Who starred in Dear Frankie, Laura Croft Tomb Raider: the Cradle of Life, Beowulf & Grendel, 300, Dracula 2000, Timeline, One More Kiss, and the Phantom of the Opera?  Answer »
  • What was the troll's name in Beowulf and Grendel?  Answer »
  • What movie about a troll did gerard butler star in before 300?  Answer »
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