The Northman: Berserker Raid Breakdown with Robert Eggers and Alexander Skarsgård

Robert Eggers' The Northman is a bloody - and bloody ambitious - Viking epic that showcases the filmmaker's fervent dedication to historical accuracy and his artistic penchant for long continuous takes. Both of these signature Eggers elements are on display in one of The Northman's most technically challenging action sequences: a Viking berserker raid on a Slav village.
Presented in one long take - a "oner" - the scene tracks Viking prince Amleth and his warriors as they storm the village and swiftly subdue its inhabitants with animalistic savagery. It is a brutal yet meticulously crafted sequence full of violence and mayhem.
IGN spoke with director Robert Eggers and star Alexander Skarsgård about the preparation and precision required to pull off the berserker raid sequence.
#IGN #Movies

[@afroahmed3989]

when he knocked that man out of his horse and then killed him by bitting his neck and then start howling like a wolf was just DAMN!

[@thegreatrainman2336]

🧀🧀🧀🧀 🧀

[@jimmymcgill2557]

that beheading at the end stole the show! brutaaaal

[@sup3rAVATARtlafAN]

The berserker raid scene was frightening and brutal. No mercy for anyone

[@ape1609]

*Starts to hear loud howl in the distance*

[@brightlightabove]

For real. It was a genuinely distrubing moment and really made you grapple with how dark the main character had become.

[@patriciaruth2918]

Want to go back and watch it again thrilling

[@vivashvanbhushan3422]

wish we got more berserker Amlet history instead they watered down fjolnir and his army instead of ahmlet tactically sacking fjolnirs kingdom. dude didnt even have kingdom. just a farm with slaves and 20 soldiers. That ruined the suspense in the middle part of the movie. Still liked it.

[@jimmymcgill2557]

apart from that scene, especially the spear catch and arrow dodge, aswell as the amazing beheading scene at the end it was overall quite a disappointing film! especially with all the hype before release..☹️

[@TronCasio]

Loved the ritual/dance they did around the fire the night before.

[@grzegorzmarcholt5552]

check pictures of "ritual dancer Ekhammar" or "dancing warriors Sutton Hoo helmet". Historical inspirations in details in this movie are huge.

[@maniacguitar]

Felt the same

[@docbp87]

It is almost directly taken from one if the Torslunda plates. Really awesome detail.

[@tm-pm1rp]

speardancing ritual associated with woden

[@leighsherval1023]

Go see this film. It deserves to succeed

[@leighsherval1023]

@Dawson Ages says...?

[@davidstansbury9309]

@@leighsherval1023 a fan of Michael Bay movies.

[@MrSwitchblade327]

@Dawson Ages wtf you're literally everywhere on KZbin shiting on this movie. Deal with it. It's an epic saga and people love it. Maybe the problem is you and not the movie

[@QlockworkOrange]

@Dawson Ages you're a spamming troll that obviously never saw it.

[@SoloTravelerOffTheBeatenPath]

@Dawson Ages The "user google score?" What even is that? It has an imdb score of 85 and a Rotten Tomatoes score of 89.

[@tekdev]

Brilliant movie, saw it yesterday on a big screen. Eggers is the most interesting director of his generation.

[@adansoto5974]

The ending was absolutely fantastic.

[@davidcunningham9282]

indeed there's no one like him. 3 amazing and peerless movies

[@wacozacko89]

Dennis Villeneuve?

[@ericbryant4958]

I'd put Eggers in a class with Aster, Villeneuve and Garland

[@Kiiieeechiii]

Don’t forget aster

[@Elidrys]

An absolute masterpiece. One of the greatest films in the last 30 years of my life. True to history and mythology. Brutal at times, but beautiful. Really well cast, acted, directed, and filmed.

[@KenobiStark1]

The ritual they did before was so metal it melted the screen. Berserkers got down.

[@fcukgogle9213]

Give it up for the sound guy, imagine holding that massive thing while moving in that fast in that kind of terrain without tripping over yourself or something else...

[@CC-wf2qb]

probably adr'd

[@makerstudios5456]

This was a masterpiece. The Valkyrie scenes were so rad.

[@jello4479]

loved it, absolutely brutal 2 hr assault on your senses. Eggers is 3 for 3.

[@JetConvoy]

This scene was amazing, this scene was absolutely brutal and breathtaking. Can’t wait to watch it again.

[@denislavgeorgiev7968]

The entire film was a masterclass in authentic-style film-making. It's difficult to believe that Eggers only has three full-length features under his belt but they are all A-grade cinema. The Northman has a simple premise, and isn't shy about telling you what it is going to be about -- but damn if the devil isn't in the details and execution. The actors and the entire crew deserve a big ovation. Great film, if it's still in cinemas near you, do yourself a favor, and go see it. Just be prepared - it's bloody.

[@chasehedges6775]

The Northman looks absolutely fantastic.

[@dojaboytan4559]

It WAS absolutely fantastic

[@ahhscarygames]

What DojaBoyTan said.

[@kyleliegel]

go see it!

[@misanthrope5865]

Isn't this the show where skin heads go crazy over?

[@kyleliegel]

@@misanthrope5865 what? This is a 1000 year old viking film...

[@tarinitup17]

Raw. Brutal. Epic. Do yourself a favor and watch this movie. It's not often we get these types of films that's made this well.

[@omfgpie]

If you liked The Revenant, you will definitely love this movie!

[@snowfrosty1]

Agreed. If you like movies like Kingdom of Heavan, Apocalypto, Passion of the Christ, Gladiator, Kurosawa movies, etc.....then you'll ALSO love this movie.

[@LuisSierra42]

It reminded me of the green knight as well

[@QlockworkOrange]

@@snowfrosty1 interesting you mentioned both Apocalypto & Passion but not Braveheart, what gives?

[@HEAVYHEARTSMUSIC]

@@QlockworkOrange because that guy has seen zero movies lol

[@joeyromeny4082]

@@snowfrosty1 agreed, the immersive world & obsessive compulsive dedication to accuracy in this film reminded me most of Apocalypto & maybe Quest for Fire (mostly forgotten)

[@lakobause]

It's surreal watching the camera crew , with their modern clothes and equipment, standing in front of a bunch of 10th-century Viking berserkers in a Slavic village made of logs and straw.

[@blakedavison2171]

Man, the scenes brought up here had absolute “SKYRIM BELONGS TO THE NORDS” energy. Amazing. Robert Eggers is my hero.

[@detestor420]

Don’t even put Skyrim and the northman in the same sentence.

[@jessieallcock9734]

AGREED, and I’ve been exclusively listening to the Northman and Skyrim scores for the last week lol

[@THEODSTKING117]

dude the scene where he’s tasked with getting the night blade felt like a quest straight out of skyrim. loved this movie

[@detestor420]

@@THEODSTKING117 no. It’s not based off of Skyrim. It’s based off NORSE mythology and Skyrim TRIED to make itself a Viking game and failed

[@DirtySouthJR]

@@detestor420 why's that? It something only you can do? As you just did yourself.

[@f4rt989]

The scene after the raid, where all of them are resting like wolves was so badass

[@nerdlydelicious1876]

Several accounts about berserkers talked about how after the battle was over they would be absolutely worn the hell out, exhausted to the bone and heaving for air because of how much energy they expended in battle compared to 'normal' soldiers.

[@noconnection1839]

@@nerdlydelicious1876 "performance enhancers" will do that.

[@nerdlydelicious1876]

@@noconnection1839 possibly. Or they just wore themselves out

[@navigatingmadness180]

This will probably end up being my favourite scene of the year. Incredible, exciting, brutal and technically dazzling sequence

[@LuisSierra42]

This will probably end up being my favorite film of the year

[@jakeg3733]

Can we get this guy to make more historical films? He puts the history in historical

[@Kilo_23]

Love seeing everyone that's involved in making these scenes and films, there's so many people all working as one in the background to achieve a vision and when all the hard work pays off its so satisfying to watch and experiance, also if you haven't seen the film yet see it in the cinema! Music, cinematography, acting all 5 Star and the more we see and support movies of this calibre the more we will get!

[@i.r.3231]

One of the greatest films of THIS CENTURY!!!

[@billwilliam8714]

THIS MOVIE IS ON PAR WITH SPARTACUS, ZULU, BEOWULF ,GLADIATOR AND MASTER AND COMMANDER. IT WAS A BEAST

[@alperyldrm6385]

We get used to see these types of big fight/war scenes on almost twice the speed than we saw in this movie while brutality part stays ordinary too. Northman has its own tempo and bloodshed, you go in sync with its rhythm as you go along. A very intense ride from beginning to end. Might not be for everybody though.

[@pigpjs]

Incredible movie. Beautifully done and masterfully crafted.

[@jadapandy]

This movie absolutely ROCKED!!!! Oscar worthy.

[@Wolf-kx1pv]

one of the best movies ive ever seen. going to see it for a second time soon.

[@KidFresh71]

Looks incredible. The VVitch was cool and The Lighthouse even better. My favorite up and coming filmmaker.

[@juanfernandorojas3194]

Amazing movie, saw it yesterday, savage, brutal and impressive!!

[@peopleschampiii584]

Hopefully other directors will follow his example for long takes in action scenes

[@mrx1333]

Such a great Raid scene!! That was a brutal massacre on the village! Alex was badass and ferocious!

[@davidcunningham9282]

extraordinary movie and a really visceral experience

[@phantasMoon69]

Amazing movie on it's own right, beautiful shots and a great story, highly recommended!!!!!

[@JediMasterGhost]

Can’t wait to watch this!

[@CherryFenty]

Alexander Skarsgård is such a talented man!

[@radunjo]

The whole Skarsgård family is stacked tbh

[@tai2664]

One of my favorite movies of this year. Robert Eggers rocks

[@sithhappens1382]

Breath taking it was definitely that, simply omg as well. That’s how you making a Viking film from now on that’s how Viking films should be made

[@bro4life693]

This scene had my blood boiling 😈 one of the best movies I’ve seen in a long time

[@conforzo]

Robert Eggers first movie the Witch had 4 million in budget. For a movie pretty mild, but damn was that better than majority of what has been released between 2010 and now. So many directors make droves of bad drama, comedys and horror... But Eggers, goes for pure quality.

[@jamesp4132]

What a great director. Been following him since the witch. Definitely my favourite modern director with only a few films.

[@NeoCortexMonkey]

Best and most accurate viking movie ever made, amazing movie 🌟

[@azwesjr]

loved this movie!

[@ittoakimbo]

Brutal and breathtaking

[@Ludawig]

Truly epic movie, just saw it earlier today

[@kingshadow8782]

Excellent

[@KillerTacos54]

This is legendary

[@Slaphappy1975]

Amazing in every way.

[@benjaminthomas2247]

great scene

[@runeguardvolibear5152]

A wonderful movie, one of my favorites ever, just a masterpiece!

[@Dr.Restitution]

Movie of the Year! When you watch these vids it’s just hard to say any film was made with more detail and care

[@erickafree1658]

Loved loved loved this movie. Alexander Skarsgard is fabulous

[@issaggg1087]

catching this in DOLBY was absolutley amazing!

[@curryascocarrasco4829]

The film score was fantastic

[@alexandrem9326]

Epic movie! Loved it!!

[@TurinJawn]

Movie of the year

[@RobertoFrann]

What a great movie and such a great scene

[@geoafe66]

Great movie.

[@sethbonilla6694]

This gave me flashbacks to the scene in Come and See where the Nazis round up Belorussians and force into a barn. Not quite as jarring Come and See but very effective.

[@v4enthusiast541]

The Patriot's church scene lol

[@666dissaur666]

It is amazing!!!

[@seamusolunacy]

Skarsgard would be Aragorn if there was ever a faithful remake of lotr.

[@LukeSchaeferFilms]

Haha Omg there was a shot in the movie of his face with king hair and he looked identical to Vigo!

[@albamralba2748]

Amazing movie! Amazing soundtrack! Go watch it in the big screen.

[@bearpitt]

Great movie!!!!

[@johnkowalski_]

It will stand the test of time, unlike most modern cinema

[@joshbishop9639]

An amazing movie. Great drama and action

[@johnjohnon8767]

Watched it last night blown away. Movies should be made without personal agendas.

[@a.w_.]

The fact that they shot this movie on film is insane

[@alexhein1738]

2 words great and graphic!

[@moose3178]

just saw this movie yesterday and it was fukn metal!!!

[@jeanfrancoisrondeau6444]

Amon amarth

[@orgywithpigs6]

What an amazing movie

[@grandpanurgle]

I’d love to see him discuss the oner after this scene

[@DirtySouthJR]

This is Eric Northman's origin story before he becomes a vampire and ends up in Louisiana.

[@tapanjoshi7710]

This guy is one of the greats of this generation and his films will go down as classics!

[@JacksonHayes]

There were ~hidden~ cuts in that raid scene according to the editor.

[@josephsingapore8742]

. A masterpiece movie.

[@CAARaeed]

Isn't coming to cinemas in my country 😭

[@Stargaze79]

That is true cinema!

[@therant7277]

Best scene in the movie

[@aurawolf664]

this movie is a masterpiece. awooooooo!

[@cotyhorn728]

It's badass

[@rikclaeys3634]

kvond goe EDIT: eigenlijk zeer goe zelfs

[@jonathangenao6796]

Saw it last night it's 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@Joseph-ru7ow]

Interesting choice to overlay Skarsgard's comments on authenticity with footage of modern machinery and construction techniques as well as a spraypainted facade.

[@Bdannn1]

Shame this movie technically bombed for its budget, such a fantastic film

[@Eysc]

Imagine Eggers directing a super hero movie

[@peterng25]

Ranks up there with John Wick among great gory cinematic actions

[@kingshadow8782]

Wow

[@jbaber426]

Yeeted that spear back at em

[@ctrl8673]

did Alex have to keep his arm wide like that all the time? damn..that must be tiring.

[@russianFB7442]

This was not a one take scene to be clear ign

[@TheReelAnalyst]

Go watch this

[@BackpackersCompass]

At least IGN shows some respect and names the director in the title. Vanity fair only says 'director of Northmen'

[@MaheshWalatara]

The end fight on the volcano is where realism died.

[@yoshi4799]

Robert reeeeally gives a f about his craft. Protect him at all cost.

[@jonasosa5126]

Oh no not ign giving us the cinematic experience

[@VerdantJedi]

Eric Northman

[@aldotalamantes1614]

Release the Eggers cut, the one where they show 🐓

[@benquinneyiii7941]

He looks like a Viking

[@richardlegrand4697]

Yeah but does he know the riddle of steel

[@evanburr8503]

So did he actually catch the spear?

[@samwroblewski748]

No

[@kingshadow8782]

Okay