The Northman - Pagan themes explained

[@firstnamett4656]

In the Odinic initiation scene did you notice Amleth hanging in the tree seems to be holding a variation of the Sutton Hoo whetstone sceptre. Which has been linked to Woden and as a symbol of kingship from him. Little details like that really shows they did their research and built so much onto the film.

[@Survivethejive]

No I did not. well spotted!

[@iminmymojo7903]

I live 5 minutes away from here :)

[@harrietharlow9929]

I didn't know that about Iceland, so I learned something new. Thank you for helping to make my evening!

[@nikolasdemoulin8093]

We desperately need more films like this. Exploring our history and culture accurately.

[@SwissCheese667]

Whatever the heathen version of "Amen ! " is, my man.

[@Prometheus7272]

@@SwissCheese667 Strength and Honor

[@Egill2011]

Yes, definitely. It is my world! 🌎

[@EstbXCIII]

Totally agree.. but sadly these kinds of movies won't win awards because it isn't "diverse" in Hollywood's opinion

[@redsun7223]

@@EstbXCIIIMost Hollywood movies are majority white. Most of the ones that win awards are especially so

[@matthewhammond859]

Please more historical breakdowns into the history of famous stories. In particular giving us the original sources. This is a delight.

[@mortenh9519]

Someone might have mentioned this: The trees in the scene with the Slavic fertility rite are birch trees. Olga is "Olga of the Birch Trees." The birch tree is holy in Russian-Slavic mythology, so I don't think it is out of place, even though it takes place in treeless Iceland. It is symbolic. EDIT: Birch is actually native to Iceland. Deforestation there is a result of settlement.

[@BoerChris]

There were woods in Iceland in the 9th Century, They were cut down for building materials and as firewood, and they didn't grow back because sheep were allowed to graze in the places they might otherwise have grown back.

[@antonyreyn]

Correct currently huge program to regrow them obviously getting ready for Ragnorok. Cheers from Mercia

[@Doomer_Optimist]

Yep, and once the forests weren't there to protect the topsoil it was eroded away by the wind and storms. So regrowing without that topsoil layer is difficult. Part of the reforestation efforts involve planting deciduous trees to replenish topsoil through leaf fall.

[@dreyri2736]

Those forests were mostly birch, and not the kind you'd see in europe, but deformed and stunted. Virtually all non-birch trees are imported.

[@BoerChris]

@@dreyri2736I disagree. Considerable progress has been made, in recent years, in reforesting areas of Iceland. The trees grow to full height and are not small and stunted. apart for birch trees, there were also rowans. The birds ate the fruit and shat the seeds.

[@dreyri2736]

@@BoerChris I wasn't talking about the reforestation. I was talking about the native forests, which were mostly downy birch, which is icelands national tree and conditions rarely let it grow to heights of 20 meters. Pine and other very tall trees did not exist here before the 20th century. There's a reason the norse bult their houses mainly out of turf. Rowans are still quite rare in iceland.

[@aurelianpepe6233]

I watched the film today and it was brilliant and i literally went in blind with no idea what it was and was pleasantly surprised . it's nice to see a production that doesn't treat our past as some sort of cynical joke too.

[@monagorgan7288]

this review made me love the movie more. I went twice & I took different people with me to spread the word how amazing this movie is. Eggers has not disspointed so far and I cannot wait for Nosferatu. The Northman is the best movie of 2022 hands down

[@satyabanerji1982]

I'm Hindu and I'm here to learn more about Nordic Paganism, the similarity is astounding especially in the left hand traditions of India 🇮🇳🙏🫶

[@randyjones3050]

There is strong reason to believe that pre-Christian European and ancient Indian belief systems have a common root source. I think European pagan revivalists can benefit a great deal by studying Indian beliefs in order to better understand their own ancient pre-Christian traditions.

[@Powersnufkin]

Nordic pagan here. There is a deep historical link between hindu and pagan traditions. I view hindus as spiritual cousins. Let us build bridges between our traditions again so Dharma can come to europe. har har mahadev!

[@satyabanerji1982]

@@Powersnufkin Oh yes totally, literally every Neo Pagan/Wiccan incantation involve Herbs and Spices from India. While modern Hinduism has more complex philosophy under the umbrella of Vaishnavism, Shaivaism and Skakta traditions but Vedic Pantheon is almost identical 12 Adityas, 11 Rudras, 8 Vasus and 2 Ashwins can find Nordic/Slavic counterparts

[@satyabanerji1982]

@@randyjones3050 here is a Chant from the Rig Vedic Ashwamedha Horse Sacrifice kzbin.info/www/bejne/aaC9noeBe6ash5o

[@RoninAvenger]

Also similar to Zoroastrianism. The Aesir are literally the Ahura.

[@tzebet8707]

In my norwegian dialect we still use the word «galdra», its used when someone gets «oppgaldra» (to become loud and energetic) or you can use it when someone «galdra opp» a dog, person etc to make them wild 😂 Edit: Dialect is called jærsk btw

[@prabnoorsingh1816]

Very interesting. Especially about Freyr and Odin, demanding different sacrifices. Horses sacrifice was very important in India in the ancient times. Performing them was a sign of a sovereign’s supreme authority over his neighbours.

[@Survivethejive]

You should watch my film about horse sacrifices

[@TuskKult]

Been looking forward to your analysis since seeing this in theaters in April! No movie has ever made me feel so rewarded for my research, studies and passions as THE NORTHMAN did, and your added insights and critiques make it all the more rich. Phenomenal work as always, your presence in this world is truly a gift we are blessed to have. Also cool seeing the resemblance between you and your second great grandfather. I reflect often on how I am a patchwork of my ancestors, and am always taken aback a bit when I see that their face is in my own... Can't help but be grateful for all they did and endured, foolish mistakes or wise actions, compassionate or barbaric- that had they not, the threads of fate responsible for this opportunity at being here to behold this life in the body they've given to me, may never have otherwise been...

[@Survivethejive]

We are our ancestors

[@saltycracker2344]

A historically accurate movie with no forced diversity, an amazing story, wonderful cinematography and atmosphere? I almost felt guilty for watching it in these modern times, like I was reading some forbidden books in some totalitarian dystopia.

[@adamyoung6797]

Give it ten years

[@LegalSC]

saltycracker heh...I like it.

[@saltycracker2344]

@@adamyoung6797 that's generous, I'd give it 5

[@HroduuulfSonOfHrodger]

Well, there was the "warrior woman" on horseback doing the shieldmaiden thing. And then the supposed "maiden king" that is Amleth's daughter. Pretty sure she would've been a queen and not a king. So some feminism seems to have seeped in thanks to the female "expert" who helped Neil Price on this. She's written at least one book about warrior women. And Neil Price himself has books that touch on the LGBT and crossdressing Vikings and Odinn. So not sure if he was the best choice to use as an "expert." But yes, you are correct, 99.9% of this has no modern agenda BS poisoning the history of our Heathen Germanic ancestors. It's my fav movie in decades minus what I've mentioned above. Oh, and I'm pretty sure Thorir was supposed to be gay. If you watch closely, he is very effeminate, and his 2 friends that got butchered might've been his boyfriends, which is why he lost his mind over their deaths. Watch how Thorir draped his limp wrist/hand over his sword during the naked forest dancing scene where Amleth gets a promotion and is told he could hook up with Olga.

[@tomd.6488]

Reeeeeee! What do you mean there weren't morbidly obese, transgender, disabled, black vikings? Accept our diversity and inclusion, bigots!

[@-Blackberry]

It's clear they put a lot of effort into accuracy in terms of the aesthetics and religious practices, it was a breath of fresh air to see Norse culture represented faithfully for once. Thanks for analysis explaining the meaning behind these esoteric rites.

[@boltactiontutorialsbybomor3846]

Close to my home in Lejre, Denmark, there are two sites where tradition has it that sacrifices were made. One, a sinkhole from the iceage, steep and round, had water at the bottom and is still called hel-door. It is said that sacrifices were drowned there. The other is near an iceage rift with high grund overlooking low marshy grund. There is a lake where sacrifices were sent to the earth goddess. It is called Hertadalen, Nerthus valley

[@StaffordshireFolklore]

I hope if other film makers decide to follow up on the success of this film with another similar project that they seek you out to consult on its production. Cinema has such a massive cultural impact, and I would love to see more of this to encourage the already growing interest in European Heritage.

[@Survivethejive]

me too

[@serdobsky_]

К сожалению, бюджет фильма - 90 млн., а сборы в кинотеатрах 68 млн. Для окупаемости фильму нужно минимум получить вдвое больше чем его бюджет. Фильм очень крутой интересный и вдохновляющий, но вряд ли в наше время такие фильмы без СЖВ-пропаганды будут окупаться(

[@mikem4314]

i would really like to see Eggers' take on native americans, specifically the iroquois or the comanche. given his attention to historical detail i think itd be very cool

[@TheOlgaSasha]

Very good explanation. "Rodzanice" is in Polish language. As well as in Ukraine we still say "Рожаниці" ("Rožaníci"). The Slavic witch in 22:45 has "spiral" temple rings - the "visit card" of women of Severians (Сіверяни) - east Slavic tribe located in the Desna river basin with centre in Chernigov city (modern Northern Ukraine). While women of Novgorod (tribe of Ilmen Slovenes) had "rhombus shield" temple rings. Every Slavic tribe had its own unique type of temple rings which is a strong marker for the archaeologists. The Viking (Varangian) settlement in Shestovíća (Шестовиця) in 10 km from Chernigiv is one of 2 largest ever found ones in Eastern and Central Europe (as well as in Gnezdovo near Smolensk). Greets from Kyiv🇺🇦 (Kænugard), ancient capital of Rus (Gardariki). BTW in 23:21 there was shown Ukrainian folk band "Džerelo" (transl. as "River source") in dresses with Ukrainian embroidery of the middle Dnieper region (every region has its own type of embroidery from old times of Rus).

[@teeheeteeheeish]

After the VVitch, the Lighthouse, and the Northman, I am on the edge of my seat waiting for Eggers' next masterpieces.

[@panetapes]

Next is noveratu

[@pablohdz23]

I'm so excited 😊

[@teeheeteeheeish]

@@panetapes right!!!

[@eliastv5498]

Astute analysis. Great movie. All should see. Will be sharing.

[@dharmawarrior111]

It's as if this film was made with you as the target audience Tom.

[@gsingh5402]

I would be weary of trusting Arabic sources. In India, we have history that is written by the natives and is "arabicized" and becomes much more bias. Remember, most religious communities write about others as if they are savages. It may be mostly right, but might be skewed to be more unfavorable to hear. This is the case with the Indian/mughal accounts at least.

[@Stephen-so9oi]

One of the greatest movies for years

[@annetteprince7536]

I have been a Germanic pagan for six years now and I’m very proud of my peoples heritage , religion, and old ways. I loved the vid Tom , it was awesome. Thank you for spreading our beliefs and spiritual journeys of our sacred ancestors. We need more people like you, that will do the research and find that our religion and heritage was suppressed by force and the conversion was a bloody Battle between Christianity and our ancestral religion. I think that our people are lost because our heritage, customs, and old ways where outlawed because of money and power. May all of our people become whole once again. Again thanks for the vid Tom!

[@Primatenate88]

Our ancestors were reduced to goths, and now we americans are left with fragments of our faith in the form of Heresy and Mysticism. These christians who cry "to valhalla" are a mockery to the spirit of battle. They think themselves gods because of their masked rituals in darkness. Their frivolous drug fueled offspring dance and mate over buried native blood. If the gods still have ears, they surely bleed in agony. If they still have eyes, they surely weep in anguish.

[@austinhellems9724]

1st comment i see and its someone pretending to be a viking, your "pagan genes" have been so far removed from modern bloodlines, the vikings would've enslaved you. You can buy as much pseudo hippy shit you want, it won't make you a pagan, or a viking.

[@Primatenate88]

@@austinhellems9724 Paganism isn't genetic, also I never claimed I was viking... Im north germanic and irish, but bloodlines mean nothing anymore, christianity made sure of that. Anybody can be a goth, but guess what happened? EDM booted the goth movement out of relevancy.

[@austinhellems9724]

@Milk Thistle but they bought the magic witchcraft herbs on Amazon for their pagan rituals. Does that not excuse centuries of rape and violence???

[@austinhellems9724]

@@Primatenate88 well sadly centuries of rape of violence kinda kill your whole "pagan vibe" be careful what cultures you idolize for a trend.

[@Ian-yf7uf]

I am stoked! Good documentary. I am surprised to see I missed a few videos from you. I am subscribed/ hit the bell icon but I must have missed them somehow.

[@Survivethejive]

Please make sure to go and watch them and click like. Funny biz hiding them frm viewers

[@kevinlawler3252]

Tom really is something else, his knowledge on our history is incredible. I say our culture because I share of coarse a similar background as Tom, as many of us who follow his content do. In these times we live in .. being more and more hostile for one merely wanting to explore their culture and heritage , as well as having concern for what the future holds.. for example, for myself I have two children coming of age before long… I am really grateful to have people like Tom in our corner, I’ve called him a patriot of our culture.. and he really is. Well spoken and educated, a fitting example of our modern people.. I strive to survive the jive myself and seek to improve personally and to improve my position.. I feel there is hardship ahead for Western Civilization in its entirety, no one knows what the future holds, we shall see. Thanks Tom for the content, entertainment, knowledge, and for helping distribute pride to our culture. I could often use a friend like Tom, perhaps we all could from time to time, he is here in this way like few are.

[@wanderingdeer1114]

I echo your words, Kevin. Well said. And thank you, Tom.

[@djprincegrandmasteryrjdalo2905]

Outside of this giant paragraph being cute and kind of nice, I find your comment on how people being hostile for your wanting to show your culture and pride, is a little bit laughable, because while I understand that you want to expressed that culture, you need to realize that that culture repressed other cultures as well and that white folks have done a lot of damage to other races, and don’t get me started with well other races have attacked all the races. All humans have attacked all the races. Yes, I know that I’m not a fucking idiot. I know that but in terms of recent history, most of the damage, Has been done by white folk white people, and I’m not gonna see him be like oh you need to apologize and feel weak and you know kiss peoples asses to make them feel better. I’m not saying that, but what I am saying is personally I don’t care if you spend your pride in your culture and all that I think that’s a good thing but if you’re going to do that you have to let people know how you’re coming about it because unfortunately, there is a lot of racist people on the planet, mostly white folk, nothing all of them, but mostly white folks who are racist who use that culture as a way to impress and put other people down, and all I’m saying is you should do that just let people know. Hey, I’m just here to express how I love my culture and how I love my heritage that’s it. I’m not here to put anybody down. I’m not here to hurt anybody or make anybody feel crappy or shit on them for their heritage anything by all means go and celebrate, but I want to Xpress my culture as well and that’s it that’s all you Gotta do but that’s the problem people like y’all, I also would include survive the job on your yard, undo that y’all say that, and expect people to get it when they don’t because of the complicated nuances that are in today’s society, and that’s the problem…

[@gabm999]

Wow, this has got to be the most well conveyed film analysis I've come across on YT. I love this so much, Great JoB! (Liked/Subed.)

[@Survivethejive]

Welcome aboard!

[@HarryG-man]

Yay I've been waiting for this video since you mentioned you'd make it on your appearance on the GTK decameron.

[@Survivethejive]

STJ delivers

[@HarryG-man]

My libations worked.

[@Survivethejive]

Click here bit.ly/SurvivetheJive and sign up for a 14-day free trial and enjoy all the amazing features MyHeritage has to offer. If you decide to continue your subscription, you’ll get a 50% discount.

[@alanbstard4]

excellent. Shared on twitter

[@nappertandy9089]

Would a "sacrificial" knife be considered a "weapon" if it never saw battle thereby not breaking taboo of weapons in Freyrdshof?

[@CuFhoirthe88]

MyHeritage's founder and CEO is Gilad Japhet and the company (apparently sponsoring this video) is headquartered in Or Yehuda, Israel.

[@CuFhoirthe88]

@वेदेषु आर्कटिक गृहम् What's funny?

[@Son-of-Tyr]

This is a little unorthodox but I'm not very computer literate. I'd like to apologize for any comments I made that you may have seen as negative in any way. They were just constructive observations and meant to be questions rather than statements. I should have messaged you directly with those questions rather than just posting them. I wasn't trying to question your knowledge or research of the subject and I certainly wasn't trying to make you look foolish or anything like that, especially not in public. I am a huge fan, I love your content and I have an immense amount of respect for you and what you do. It would upset me a great deal if I caused you any sort of problem, even if it's just insignificant comments on a video. Anyway, again, I sincerely apologize and If there's any way I can make it right, let me know. I look forward to your next video.

[@drraoulmclaughlin7423]

Brilliant to see your expert research and analysis brought to this epic movie 🙂 They filmed the Icelandic Scenes at Torr Head, County Antrim, Northern Ireland. And the Berserker Attack/ Odinic Temple at Clandeboye Estate, Bangor, North Down (my favourite place to run 🙂)

[@Ζήνων-ζ1ι]

May Wotan be praised, you actually did this video. Thank you, Tom.

[@jetorixjones]

Such a well done movie.

[@mbm8404]

Thank you good sir. You are the Carl Sagan of Norse Paganism. P.S., Nice devil horns during your sponsor section.😎😂

[@Egill2011]

Germanic pagan themes are very strongly felt in the film. I cannot remember any other movie where these themes would be represented so adequately and authentically.

[@jaxn13]

Great film. I like to think Eggers watched your videos. He got so much right. The horned man Speer dancing during an Odinic ritual, perfectly displayed in my opinion.

[@Prometheus7272]

Loving the viking drip ❤️

[@WestlehSeyweld]

You should do a short video on King Æthelfrith of Bernicia. Bede himself claimed that “he ravaged the Britons more than all the great men of the English, for he conquered more territories from the Britons…than any other king or tribune” Also fantastic video, I’ve sent it to many of my friends who loved the movie.

[@WhiteWolf126]

Probably the only review on KZbin that understood the movie. Excellent video! Even the reviewers who liked the movie I feel like they didn't really understand the underlying mythological themes. The movie more or less demands that you have at least decent knowledge of Norse mythology. Most of the stuff happening in the movie is just over one's head otherwise. I went into this movie expecting the typical vikings hollywood crap and generic formula, but oh boy, was I wrong. I did not expect this at all. Given how based this movie was I still can't believe it actually was allowed to be made without inserting the usual subversion.

[@ghostpatriot2370]

When people find out I am a Germanic pagan their faces light up and always have a million questions. Many guys have come and said how do they start to follow the old ways. Makes me have hope for the future.

[@straytonox1492]

Hail Odin

[@marcusaurelius4941]

wow, where do you live?

[@radwald189]

@@sliderstruth Our cultures largely got turned into a blob when we were Christianised.

[@ghostpatriot2370]

@@marcusaurelius4941 the mountains of NY

[@ghostpatriot2370]

@@radwald189 it’s still there and up to us to bring back our ancestors teaching and ways. The very same culture that scarred the hell out of the Roman world.

[@marcusporcius9842]

While there is much to applaud in the film in terms of historical research, I feel it does not treat the tale through a sympathetic or realistic human eye. It has the "Christian gaze" or the "modern western secular gaze". The film views the pagan past as being strange, violent and having an infernal quality -the film is full of gloom, aggression and suffering -most scenes are even bled dry of colour (did colour only arrive in the world recently?) This infernal vision immediately separates us the viewer from the characters who exist in a world of a past that was painful, gloomy and inhabited by men who had plentiful testosterone, minimal human qualities and do not know the meaning of love. This is such a loss. Germanic paganism is a very real human thing, it must not be portrayed as strange, frightening and inhuman. It is deeply human and natural -remember that in it our ancestors found the strength to deal with a challenging world. They were nurtured to do this as well as hardened. People need nurture to be able to do hard things. We do not actually gain strength from our tests -mental or physical but from how we put ourselves back together stronger after them. Heroes, like athletes and intellectuals, are built by a mixture of test and nurture and the director needs to take us on their journey through this. This cold strangeness is sadly very typical of modern renderings of Germanic paganism. The first and most important thing a director who seeks greatness must do is to show us characters that the audience can identify with and so become bound up with. The mature of men is unchanged by the passing of the ages. They were like us emotionally and usually actually physically weaker than the average fit outdoors man today -from worse nutrition, sometimes high parasite burdens and a lack of optimal recovery opportunities post exercise. Where has the inner conflict of Hamlet gone? It is in the soul searching that he becomes heroic. Would a western be shot like this? Would a war movie have such characters that lacked humanity? Would a historic epic be so lacking in empathy? Would a tale of indigenous pagan peoples from a different continent so lack warmth in depicting their spirituality? So why inflict modern western cultural prejudice on us? Will some director please rid us of such emptiness. If you must give us gloom, do not make it strange and infernal, give us something more like Scandi noire. Give me someone I can like and identify with. Give me someone with warmth and soul, then make him live these things. This film is a teenage nerd's comic book fantasy of the pagan past. It contains what such a boy secretly fears and openly fantasises about but actually knows little of from experience.

[@Survivethejive]

I will concede that it could have been more colourful and showcased more of the jovial and humorous side of the Norse but this is a revenge story not a comedy. the sagas themselves contain humour, but it is rare. Violence is frequent and is described without emotion, as though it were common, which it was. The reality of Norse culture is very strange and foreign to modern people and that is a fact. Egil's father gets angry in the evenings and trys to murder his own children, a bloody family feud is started when a slave steals a piece of cheese and families brutally slaughter each other over the corpse of a dead whale they both wanted rights to.

[@marcusporcius9842]

​@@Survivethejive Thanks for your reply. I appreciate your taking the time to consider my gripe with the film (which was not a gripe with your video, I hasten to add. Your video is an excellent examination of the pagan themes). I wasn't really knocking the revenge theme of the film either. It is just that my experience of modern day close (and occasionally feuding) clans is that they draw strength through human kindness even more than we who live in a non clan system. They need it to equip them to face a harsh world where you can never really walk down a path without vigilance and sometimes stopping to look behind you. I am not saying it is all fluffy bunnies in such a clan based honour driven system, just that I think this more human side is under exploited in modern views of the past , particularly the pagan past. Strange stuff can happen in strange families when the evenings are long and dark, - it even happens these days when there are many laws against it and many potential electronic distractions from family quarrels. It makes perfect sense in clan or large family system that people should start shedding blood over a slave's theft or ownership of a large protein source. If negotiation is impossible, in the absence of a fair and powerful judicial system, one is obliged to assert one's family's claim or else lose all respect and become a people from whom stuff can be taken at will. Honour and honourable vengeance are very practical things as well as sacred obligations. -I would go so far as to say that they are sacred because of their practical necessity, for religion is usually the mirror of a people. In a harsh world, you need the people around you to survive, so you treat them well whenever you can afford to and you should do anything to avenge a wrong to a family member. In the absence of a fair judicial system with a reliable enforcement arm we get to see what people are really made of -for good and for ill. This is at the heart of so many a western, this is something that the film could have explored deeper, rather than being a voyeuristic trip round a "benighted violent pagan past" -note the Guardian review of the film that said it was not dark and violent enough. The Guardian reader can't have enough of their voyeuristic pleasure in violence and barbarism but those who have walked closer to the old ways know this is just a comic book fantasy, they want to see the men's heart's and minds that drive the works of their hands. They also know that the works of their hands will be a good deal less dramatic in reality. The law may take some of the evil out of us -from fear of the law- but it also takes some of the good from us -from it being less needed. Need as we know is a help and salvation to men and in a time when life is hard, heeding the need of your fellow man can be a great help to you as well as him, if you heed that need in a timely way. This is something that people who face hardship know instinctively. Even today men who suffer hardship together tend to treat each other more like brothers than like friends. When you add in a blood kinship dimension the bonds are incredibly strong. Man is the joy of man, dear to his kinsman in mirth. The Roman word nefas is the only word that I have found that comes close to describing the evil of fratricide. In the absence of a law that can hold you to account, some can be terribly tempted to do evil things and fratricides are rare but they certainly do happen in powerful families where there is no law that can touch a ruler -look at the Kims in North Korea today -nothing has changed, they will kill close family for power. Killing a brother is a terrible thing and of course in a world where honour is strong such a thing must be terribly avenged by a son. But one also needs to see the loving relationship between a father and son that gives fire to the need for the revenge and one could also see benefit in seeing the hero on his quest for vengeance taking and giving whatever human kindness he can on the way -just like in fact your cowboy hero often does in a western. In the end he will know that his humanity needs to be fed if he is to keep himself going on his quest. The circumstances change but humans are all the same in the end. It could have been a movie with a real hero, not an archetype from the mind of a cartoon reading boy. Paganism was and is a faith for real people and we must not be seen as cartoon archetypes or we will just attract comic reading boys.

[@rapecel]

You have no knowledge of the Homeric Hero. This film is an exhortation of the exuberance and tragedy of war and revenge, of the affirmation for immanence as Nietzsche would put it. The Homeric Hero will never receive his reward--that of great honor--until he accepts his fate, which is death. It is this acceptance of death that transcends his soul to greatness through action. He does not fight for anything beyond this, for the reward of a dutiful death makes all his cunning, his determination, and his utter superiority over his enemy complete. There is no play of morality in his plan for conquest; it is not his fate he is commanding, but instead only the fate of others---that is, his enemy.

[@Hybris_Speedrun]

KINO

[@blacklisted4885]

The 'Iceman' movie based on Otzi, (much older time period obviously), was also pretty good recent European historical movie

[@LooniJoose]

I hadn't seen a KZbin upload from Tom in so long I forgot he existed. Thank you, Tom, for persevering for so long. I would love to hear more from you on this platform again some day. You really helped me think critically and form ideas and opinions early on in my journey to understand our ancestors and know the gods. Also, I'm diggin the horns.

[@Survivethejive]

Welcome back!

[@MysteriousPerson1991]

Paganism is one of the most interesting subjects to me. To think that if christianity didn't migrate to europe, everyone there would still believe in those gods. This movie is awesome. One of the best depictions of vikings in cinema.

[@WisdomPrevails369]

The break down of the movie was better than the movie lol

[@markos3396]

I might see devils, but i have a bad feeling with "my heritage"

[@alriktyrving5051]

Nice analysis of a very well made movie overall. Poor Denmark though. Always being replaced by Norway in nearly every American filmatication of the Viking Age. In ”Vikings”, Danish/Swedish Ragnar Lothbrok and his sons, became Norwegians. Now even such a famous Danish character as Hamleth/Amleth, was robbed of his nationality, in favour of becoming a Norwegian.

[@PanSzawu]

This, as well as changing the Celts to Slavs, even if I am one, because of Alexander Skarsgard’s suggestion that it was boring to deal with celts.

[@Survivethejive]

Prince of Jutland is good because it uses really Danish and English looking landscapes and actual barrows and little Viking age horses

[@Survivethejive]

@@PanSzawu It never had Celts in it. It was Anglo-Saxon England where people spoke a language mutually intelligible with that of the Danes

[@antonyreyn]

@@Survivethejive some interpretations set amleth saga to before the viking age in the migration period as he marries Celtic queen Hermuthruda who remarries and becomes the ancestor of the Mercians. Set in Jutland before the Danes when the Angles were in control it could be classed as Shakespeares only AngloSaxon play! Bit of a stretch i know!(Beside the Northumbrians in Macbeth) Cheers from Icels land mercia

[@bobokin5815]

Great Video! Ever since I watched the Trailer for The Northman a few months before release I knew it would be great! I even watched it the first day it released in a movie theater. It was a great experience and I have since watched it 5 times on my own to really digest its meaning alltough I could not digest it and understand its meaning as you did I am still proud I managed to see some of the outlines of what you pointed out in your analysis. Ever since I watched this movie I always wondered when and if you would do an analysis/review and I must say I am more than satisfied! Great Work!!

[@AbhiN_1289]

Whole be thou Odin, he who hung himself on the world tree!: सर्वासु नवरात्रीषु वातार्दितयूपेवृक्षे अवालम्बे कुण्ठक्षतः ओदिनाय दततः इति जानामि यस्य च येभ्यः मूलेभ्यः विसृजति न कश्चित् जानाति तस्मिन् यूपवृक्षे ममात्मने आत्मनम् (Havamal 148)

[@jeremiad86]

Iceland had trees during the Viking era. Icelandic Birch covered almost 40% of the island. The Vikings cut them all down.

[@jamiestewart4087]

They have found roots of ancient, large oak trees in Iceland as well.

[@zachd7354]

Why’d they cut em all down?

[@jeremiad86]

I imagine fuel and building material.

[@inquisitive-]

​@@zachd7354i tend to think that with modern religion who came to Iceland and found them reluctant to convert, taking their forests and therefore nature dieties, would have seemed an appropriate punishment. They never tell us the truth. It does seem like places where paganism lasted longer, the trees were deforested the most. Oftentimes just seemingly hacked down and set alight. Not even for cultivation or shipbuilding or left to rot.

[@kylekrasilikovs]

​​@@inquisitive- this. basically what colonizers did in North America but with bisons instead of trees.

[@csrencz6942]

Feel like the movie shit the bed a bit by not hiring Tom as a consultant but otherwise enjoyable.

[@ProfessorShnacktime]

How this still only has 54k views boggles the mind. I’ve been sharing this with as many people as I think might watch it!

[@jennarowe2026]

When I typed "The Northman Explained", this is EXACTLY what I was looking for. Great video, thank you!

[@Survivethejive]

Glad it helped!

[@HalfManThirdBiscuit]

I watched this eating a tasty, bloody steak, eggs and greens, and drinking wine. You're welcome.

[@pilgrim42]

Fantastic review. I saw the film just a few weeks ago ad was greatly impressed by it, and will definitely see it again after having seen this review. Thank you for the time you put in on this as well as all of your other outstanding work.

[@jeffebdy]

What an excellent analysis & explanation of the film. The attention to detail Eggers put in, which was mostly lost to the casual observer! I saw it alone in the cinema (my name translates as "no mates Billy") & was blown away. Funnily enough it was on your recommendation. I've watched it twice so far on DVD, the second time with director's commentary. I notice new things on each viewing. I think the title character was also the producer & he wanted this project to be as accurate as possible. He poured his heart & soul into his performance. The bersekir ritual put me in mind of how Tarzan would have been (the actor played him a few years ago)

[@saxon4676]

They appeared at Yo Mama's Yogurt. "So how does this work?" asked Saxon Philpott . "You just take a cup, and shove as much in it as you can!" explained Varg. "No no no," said Survive the Jive. "It's measured by weight!" "Ohhhhh," said Varg. "So you pick the heaviest toppings! PACK IT IN THERE!" "Sounds like fun!" said the others, running off to fill up their yogurts while Tom Roswell felt a sharp pain in his wallet. Varg ran over to the toppings, without getting any yogurt, and started shoveling in M & M's. "What are you doing?" The Golden One asked. "You forgot the yogurt." "No no no," explained Varg. "I'm going to have layers, so I can navigate it properly. First layer is M & M's, then strawberry non-fat froyo, then comes the gummy bears, then strawberry low-fat froyo, then comes chocolate froyo, then on top of that is oreo crumbs, and THAT'S when I bust out the real ingredients..." Marcus Follin walked away. "Woah, I've never seen so many toppings in one place!" Saxon exclaimed, stars forming in his eyes. "Hey," challenged Marcus. "I bet I can put more toppings in than you!" "You're on, scrub!" said TheChadPastoralist. They began shoveling in sprinkles by the scoop. "Woah woah, slow down there!" Tom tried, but Saxon knocked him over as he ran for the Captain Crunch. Varg was still writing out the map of his yogurt. By this point, he had three yogurt cups stacked on top of each other, and all the layers were color coded "Alright, here's where the stale pieces of cone go... oh no! But that leaves no room for the full strawberries! Wait, false alarm, I'll just add a new cup and put them in layer D6." Saxon overheard Varg and liked the idea of putting in full strawberries. But why stop there? He started putting in full bananas too, and a full pineapple! "Dammit!" cried Marcus, realizing he was falling behind, since Saxon took the only pineapple. He began shoveling the yogurt out of his cup so he could fit more toppings. He melted all the chocolate ingredients so more could fit in, and also smashed the fruity pebbles, sprinkling the crumbs throughout. "Hahaha, Saxon doesn't stand a chance against my brilliance!" Saxon spotted a 5 pound gummy frog. Marcus spotted it too. They both dashed for it, bumping Varg and almost knocked over his 6 story yogurt. Marcus realized he was falling behind, so he grabbed the hot fudge and squirted it in Saxon’s face. "AHHH IT BURNS!" he cried, doubling over in pain. Marcus made a mad dash past him, almost reaching the frog. Until Varg grabbed it. But Marcus wouldn't have it. He snatched a nearby scoop and started stealing Varg’s toppings. "NOOOOO! YOU'RE MAKING IT DISORGANIZED!" he cried. "HOW WILL I EVER FIND THE BUTTERFINGER CRUMBLE LAYER!" Meanwhile, Saxon had recovered, and he too began stealing Varg’s toppings. "MY MAAAAAP! NO! The vanilla non-fat and the vanilla low-fat can't touch! It'll be too confusing! I won't be able to sample them each separately!" Just then, they reached the gummy frog Varg had stashed in layer 8C. Marcus reached for it, but Saxon dropped candy rocks on his hands. "OWWW NUUUU!" cried Marcus. "That was supposed to be my gummy frog!" Saxon shoved the frog to the bottom of his cup so Marcus couldn't find it. He slid the cup across the counter with all the sauces, running alongside and pushing all the sauces in. The frog was thus buried in toppings, and unrecovable. Marcus threw his yogurt down in fury, and it splattered all over the floor. "IF I CAN'T HAVE THAT FROG, THEN VARG CAN'T HAVE ANY POUND CAKE!" "What?!" cried Varg. Marcus grabbed a new cup, and poured the entirety of the pound cake bin in, so there was not a single crumb left for Varg. He then topped the pound cake with hot fudge, marshmallow fluff, strawberry syrup, and carmel, so it dissolved completely. He grabbed handfuls of mixed toppings and shovelled them in. "WHY MARCUS WHY!? NOW WHAT SHALL I PUT IN LAYER B4?! Oh look, I suppose I could substitute it with strawberry short- NOOOOOO!" "MINE!" yelled Saxon and Marcus. Meanwhile Survive the Jive grabbed his cup. He measured out four ounces of non-fat vanilla froyo, and walked over to the toppings. "Hmm," he thought out loud. "I guess I'll be frivalous today!" He topped it with a single chocolate sprinkle and one dab of whipped cream. "Done!" Saxon began guzzling the butterscotch so Marcus couldn't have any. Meanwhile, Varg was trying to balance out his tower of toppings and yogurt, recovering from the damages to his map and attempting to sort out the dichotomy. TheGoldenOne grabbed the bucket of nerds and threw them at TheChadPastoralist. "GAH! THEY GOT IN MY SHIRT!" Saxon Philpott screamed. He grabbed Marcus Follin and shoved him under the chocolate yogurt machine, turning it on. "AAAAAAAAA!" The Golden One cried. "This is regular yogurt, not non-fat! THE CALORIES!" Saxon swapped out Latsbrah’s yogurt cup with his, while Marcus drowned in yogurt. "Hahahha, Marcus had more toppings than me, but they're mine now!" "I SAW THAT!" screamed Marcus. Saxon made a mad dash to the check out counter. Marcus followed suit, throwing more toppings in as he ran after Saxon . Varg slowly approached the counter, careful not to tip over his yogurt pyramid. Survive the Jive layed his yogurt down on the scale. "Four ounces, $3.00 exactly," he applauded himself. "Another job well done." He pulled out the three dollars to pay, when the employee stopped him. "Aren't you going to add your friends' cups onto the order?" He turned around, as TheChadPastoralist pushed his cup in a wheelbarrel, TheGoldenOne brought his in on a forklift, and Varg had a staff of twenty carrying his over. Tom’s eyes grew wide with horror. They struggled to put theirs on the scale, instantly breaking it. "That will be $687.00," said the employee. "WHAT!?" Tom sobbed, falling to the ground in agony. "Yogurt can't cost that much!" he wailed. "No, but that scale was expensive!" said the worker. "Don't worry, Tom!" Varg said merrily, handing him a hankerchief and patting him on he shoulder. "We still have my 50% off coupon!" He handed Tom the coupon. "Varg, you twit!" said Tom. "This isn't 50 percent off, this is 50 cents off!" "Oops, my bad," said Varg, taking his yogurt and digging in. Tom payed the 686.50 while tears dripped down his face. "You know, I actually just ate," said Marcus, going to throw out his yogurt. "Same, I wasn't really hungry," said Saxon. "OH NO YOU DON'T!" Tom growled. "YOU'RE GOING TO SIT DOWN AND EAT ALL THAT YOGURT!" "That's the thing though," said Saxon. "There's not actually any yogurt in here... At least I don't think so..." "I DON'T CARE!" Tom scolded. TheChadPastoralist pouted, and TheGoldenOne looked defeated. Tom glared at Saxon as the latter hesitantly rose the spoon to his face. He took a nibble. "Eww, this is awful!" exclaimed Saxon. "Nope!" said Tom. "You're going to eat every last drop." Saxon put the full spoonful of just toppings in his mouth, and began crunching really loudly. Tom continued to glare at him, shaking his head. Tears formed on the corners of Saxon’s eyes, and he began sob, as he continued to chew his mouthful of toppings. "These gummy bears are rock solid!" he cried. "And this Captain Crunch tastes like it's been in there for twelve years!" Marcus too tried to eat his frozen yogurt. "WHY DID I PUT JOLLY RANCHERS IN HERE?!" Varg sulked. "Now I have to sit and watch the yogurt melt as I slowly suck on them. "OH GAWD!" cried Saxon. "Why did I put gum in here!? Every mouthful I have to spit out chicklettes, and pomegranate seeds! This is becoming more of a challenge than a pleasure!" "OH GAWD!" sobbed Varg. "I JUST REACHED THE JAWBREAKER LEVEL! I CAN'T EVEN FIT THIS IN MY MOUTH!" "Rmmmmrhrmmrmr," Marcus tried to complain. "What?" asked Tom. He pulled out a piece of paper and started writing. "My mouth is glued shut from ten year old Sour Patch kids!" "These whole strawberries are so sour!" Varg coughed. He peeled his whole banana and started eating that. "It's so ripe!" Saxon continued to spit out gum, and he tried to be sly and spit out one of the Jolly Ranchers. "Hey, is that a Jolly Rancher?!" Tom asked, catching him. "Nrrrrrr!" Saxon said, shaking his head and trying again to spit out the Jolly Rancher. But Tom put a dark energy barrier on the trash can so no one could throw anything out. "This is so dry without any yogurt," Marcus moped, finally able to speak again. "Maybe I shouldn't have scooped it all out!" "How will I eat this ten pound weight!?" Saxon wailed. Varg looked at him. "You put a ten pound weight in your yogurt?" "I let the competition get the best of me," he admitted, glumly. Marcus began to look to Tom desperately. "Cut me some slack, come on!" "Alright, you guys can stop now," said Tom finally, sickened by them eating their melted yogurt and moldy toppings. Marcus passed out. TheChadPastoralist threw up. Varg wiped his mouth and said, "Thanks for the yogurt, Tom!"

[@ragnarskwigelf8477]

This film was a superb look at Nordic medieval culture. The little details that referenced the sources brought so much depth and colour. I was hoping that you would agree and I was not disappointed. TBH, you pointed out many more details that I had not noticed, which was so appreciated. Now, I am going to watch the film again, for the third time in a week.

[@peterfrance7489]

Wow. Suddenly the past comes alive. A complex, vibrant world rich in meaning, far more in touch with raw nature and emotion than the insipid culture we have today. REAL LIFE. This not only breathes life into the Viking world, it also illuminates an entire epoch. Truly enriching.

[@brunotakeda2875]

I loved this movie and everything else in it, because it helps me and reinforces the concept a lot and because I became a pagan and I honor the gods and the vaettir and the ancestors. and see what this film faithfully and amazingly did. and I loved the video, and about that having renounced Christianity and becoming a pagan was the best thing I've ever done in my life and happiness. and I hope there are more faithful films that do the same thing that roberts did.

[@violenceislife1987]

Absolutely the greatest cinematic art of 2022.

[@ivicajovanovic2897]

Serbs call those three fairies of fate Sudjaje. From the word Suditi - to Judge. Judges.

[@josephpercy1558]

Excellent film analysis. Good genealogy plug as well. I'm pleased to say that I was able to trace my father's tree back to 1067 and William de Percy who was granted land in England by William of Normandy. On a viking related note, de Percy also had an ancestor, Manfred, who apparently was a member of Rollo's retinue at the time. That discovery is pretty special for me.

[@antonyreyn]

Cool I’ve been to your ancestors castle at Alnwick in Northumbria. Cheers from Mercia

[@josephpercy1558]

@@antonyreyn 👍

[@Saku19]

Best Pagan film? I still love The 13th Warrior, and the novel.

[@sh-hg4eg]

Just rewatched this a few weeks ago, so this is good timing whilst it's still fresh in my mind. Cheers, Tom!

[@ktheterkuceder6825]

The movie is crap. The real amleth story was much more epic and nowhere near as boring as this one. I love Eggers the witch and lighthouse but I think he got it wrong this time. The norse characters are speaking modern english,the protagonist looks like a modern bodybuilder, the plot is predictable and there are some cringe actors like Nicole Kidman and the big son of the uncle. I expected something more from a director who puts historical authenticity as important.

[@nicolasbevilacqua6690]

Indeed!

[@manfrombritain6816]

STJ is the voice to take up the mantle when David Attenborough finally leaves us

[@Bsoupful]

I wonder if the Norns, (the three female entities/spirits who are related to fate) have any correlation with the Greek mythology? The Graeae were "the grey ones", or the grey witches, three sisters who shared one tooth and one eye amongst them all. The same eye Perseus stole as ransom from the sisters in order to gain information on defeating Medusa. Either way, a very interesting video and very much appreciated.

[@Survivethejive]

Yes they are the same as the Greek Moirai

[@randyjones3050]

Yes, they are the same. It is evidence that some elements of Germanic/Nordic paganism and Greek/Roman paganism have a common root source deep in the past.

[@RoninAvenger]

I’ve worn an old bronze pendant which depicts one of those horned spear dancers for a long time, holding two spears in one hand and a sword in another. I am not a Germanic Pagan though, rather Mazdayasnian. But the two religions have the same ancient origin in Proto Indo European/Iranian culture and peoples. Germanic pagans worship the Aesir and we worship the Ahura, many many other concepts are shared. Even ragnarok exists in our religion as “rastakiz” I believe Vedic religion has a similar connection to Germanic religion.

[@numenoreaneternity6682]

Laughable power-trip fantasy, someone should film a movie about the Pomeranian razing of Konungahella, Hedeby, and Roskilde, and the Obotrite razing of Hamburg.

[@danielhummer4482]

This really is a WONDERFUL dissection of Northman!👍 We’re also reminded of the POWERFUL magick of writing and oral tradition. Writing and oral tradition really do protect people from the actual death that is ignorance. 🌀🌾🌾🌀

[@thelawfus]

More qualified than most? I wonder how many people in the world have a degree in film making AND Germanic Paganism?

[@jaybones8457]

Epic video on an epic movie. Pity that it flopped so hard at the box office and Eggers has said he needs to re-evaluate the manner in which he makes movies. The art of cinema is under threat from content farms like Netflix and Amazon.

[@OldToby53]

One thing I was amazed with this movie is it wasn't a woke POS

[@VideovigilanteUSA]

I have to pay for the movie and did not , I guess Ill buy the stream now, during Christmas Break. Makes sense right . Movies looks like a trip.

[@Play2earnJorëèélJosephroth420]

We will meeet at the fire gates of hell and there we shall fight to the death!!!

[@farfandelosgodos1681]

I was long time waiting for this, fele thanks for this SJV, gods may lead thou always in the true.

[@toxicblackwidow9841]

Not accurate and detailed enough to be a solid documentary and boring enough to be an annoying film, not to mention the very bad acting of most of the actors, what a disappointment to me.I am not criticising the director's good intentions to get as close as possible to reality, or at least to what we know about the reality of Scandinavian society and culture at that time, but the film object. The explanations of the pagans rituals and symbols are interesting indeed.

[@E.lectricityNorth]

A masterpiece! (So was the movie) Thanks for the great commentary and analysis.

[@snaiwa]

Almost like Eggers bingewatched STJ videos in the process of making the movie

[@pvp72]

My son and I watched this excellent movie a few weeks ago. Thank you for your superb analysis, Tom!

[@Survivethejive]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@teeheeteeheeish]

Interesting parallel with the Mead of Wisdom.... Charlamagne, who was very much in favor of sobriety, referenced the "Wine of Learning" or the "Wine of Knowledge". He believe that the moderate amount of wine accompanied with study was acceptable. He must have been a fan of old Norse literature and/or themes I imagine.

[@kennykenny1616]

I wasn’t expecting the anchorman reference but thank you for finding a way to fit that in

[@WarDogMadness]

Odin: having a nice day making clothez. Lok: later that night at the pub . Ha gay . Odin: holmgang now you little shit..

[@nullgravity2583]

After watching this, I have a brand new respect for the film and even Germanic culture as a whole🔥🐺🤴🏻🌋⚔

[@br7189]

STOP REFERRING TO YOURSELF AS A NORSE / GERMANIC PAGAN The one who chooses to refer to their belief from the standpoint of Abrahamic religions; are blind to the fact they’re undermining their own faith/gods by referring to it from the standpoint of the very ones who sought to destroy it

[@elbuggo]

And not even a single 3rd worlder in the cast! Not even 1!

[@HroduuulfSonOfHrodger]

But it has it's shieldmaiden on horseback and supposedly a maiden king. So some modern agenda seeped in. And I believe Thorir was meant to be gay if you watch his mannerisms closely.

[@ryanorionwotanson4568]

That's one good thing.. maybe I'll give the movie a chance.

[@HolyMith]

​@@HroduuulfSonOfHrodgershield maidens were a real thing, and if they depicted a possibly gay character, that is not a conversion of history. It is safe to say that homosexuality has existed for some time. Be careful not to jump to conclusions whenever your modern understanding of gender roles and sexuality is depicted a different way historically. This doesn't immediately mean the woke agenda is at work. You may just not be aware of the historical reality. It's always crucial to do your own research with an open mind.

[@RusskiyMed]

@@HolyMithI’m pretty sure homosexuality was a abominable thing in most cultures back then.

[@SanctusPaulus1962]

​@@RusskiyMed The Greeks beg to differ.

[@CulainRuledByVenus]

Beautiful work done with obvious care. I'll be referring here those who liked the film and are further interested in its subject matter.

[@paulmac9289]

This movie was B grade

[@mutzeputze4624]

The scene in which Amleth enters the mound and finds the dead king enthroned is somewhat reminiscent of the legend of the Untersberg. In the interior of the mountain lie immeasurable treasures; dwarves and giants, heroes, and princes, as well as the wild women who are kind to the people, are at home in the mountain. But the most legendary secret that the mountain holds is an elderly emperor who sleeps in the Untersberg until his time comes. Rarely, once every hundred years, does a mortal manage to see his face. Then the emperor asks this mortal, mostly a shepherd, if his ravens are still circling the mountain top. "Speak! Are the ravens still flying around the mountain at this hour?" And the shepherd replies humbly: "They are still flying around!" "So, I must sleep another hundred years!" answers the emperor. The emperor sleeps in the Untersberg until the empire's hardship is at its height and the ravens no longer fly around the summit. Then, according to legend, the emperor appears and rides with his entourage to the pear tree in the Walserfeld. There the "last battle between good and evil" takes place under this pear tree. This motif can also be found in Tolkien's Lord of the Rings when the dead rise with their leader for the last great battle besides a tree. The basis of this motif is probably the Ragnarök (White Tree of Gondor, Yggdrasil, pear tree). Presumably the ravens could not follow their lord into the realm of the dead, as far as I know, the Edda does not provide any information about the fate of Hugin and Munin after Odin's death?

[@steelforge9194]

During my masters program in history I was studying the colonization of Iceland. Aside from the spot on work in the rest of the video, the part where you said “Iceland had no forests” isn’t correct. I read an article on the environmental history of Iceland (I have the source, just not including it for brevity) where it claims Iceland was once populated by dwarf tree forest. The Norse colonists eradicated these shortly after arrival. Aside from this travesty of an error, you gained a subscriber (first part was sarcasm).

[@Survivethejive]

There can't have been much forest for the few early settlers to destroy it so quickly

[@steelforge9194]

@@Survivethejive Seems like I used a science journal that talked specifically about forests, but I did use this article for sure: Mooney, Dawn Elise. Examining Possible Driftwood Use in Viking Age Icelandic Boats. Norwegian Archeological Review November 16 49, 2. Pgs 156-176. I will see if I can scrounge up my annotated bibliography on my old HDD.

[@chuck948]

That movie was amazing

[@lecy2521]

55:05 why the hell would you use a silly "people in tent with hearts around them" cartoon when you're talking about a violent SA?

[@Survivethejive]

best i could find

[@eisenfried9817]

Banger Video and very nicely explained. I also like the fact that you show the books where you get your knowledge from so that others (like me) can read into it aswell.

[@-MONTEZUMA]

Interesting how initiation rituals of some deities took place in caves very commonly in all cultures, in Central America we can still see caves today with the entrance carved like the mouth of monsters, which culminated in underground lakes with a bridge and things like that. Magnificent detail in human nature.

[@disband_thebbc5933]

I actually got a notification for this one but I was at work. I got up early this morning to watch it, and really enjoyed your detailed break down of the sources that the film was based on.

[@ВладКудлатий]

Thank you, it was very interesting. Not planning to do a similar review for the movie Midsommar? This would clarify many things for many

[@ilfurlano1228]

Very Indo-European Movie, Indeed!

[@dunmwarupreachan4567]

I should get around to watching this film. Now I want to research pagan Ireland and Britain's attitudes towards men practicing magic/witchcraft and cross dressing and gender roles. I never actually thought of it.

[@gibmattson1217]

Fascinating. Didn't know Hamlet was taken from a Norse saga. I'd heard Shakespeare's Hamlet was taken from a German play although there are presumably different versions taken from the old Norse. Must read that Saga....thanks.

[@bokoroko7786]

my man calmy stated that the vikings did human sacrifice and rape rituals but got butthurt that a respected scholar suggested that shamans occasionally crossdressed

[@WhiteWolf126]

lol... It stated time and time again in norse sources that magic is an unmanly practice, and very shameful for men to practice. So it makes all the sense that the men who did practice it wore feminine clothes. But it's not like it was endorsed or encouraged, it was considered extremely shameful.

[@ЗвездыБольшойПротуберанец]

Interestingly, the scene with the draugr in the tomb is very similar to the story "The Thing in the Crypt" by L. Sprague de Camp and Lin Carter, which tells how the young Conan fought the warrior's mummy in the crypt after taking the sword lying across his knees . This story is also based on Grettir's Saga. The Arnold Schwarzenegger movie also features this scene, but Conan didn't have to fight because the mummy fell apart while trying to revive.) When "The Northman" came out, I couldn't believe that a movie could be made in 2022 without some stupid woke propaganda. Well, then I read that the lead actor Alexander Skarsgard considers himself a feminist.)

[@KSmithwick1989]

It's a waste of time calling everything "woke". Writers and actors don't carry their politics into every project their involved in. For example, the film's director Robert Eggers is also openly left-wing. Nor is simple neutrality is an endorsement of "anti-woke" politics.

[@ЗвездыБольшойПротуберанец]

​@@KSmithwick1989 I don't call everything "woke", but only what is woke. Today, little is left untouched by these trends, so I have doubts about every film production being released today. And I am very happy in those rare cases when my doubts are not confirmed. I agree that actors don't always bring their political views to every project they take part in. Although, many actresses, and some actors who consider themselves feminists say they choose roles that express their political views. As for writers, I don't agree, they just can't get over themselves and not build a story around their beliefs. These days, publishers put forward requirements for the presence of certain themes in a work, otherwise it will not be published. So it is with the film industry. Yes, there are cases when an actor in real life is not a very good person, but talentedly and superbly embodies the images on the screen. But a feminist is a sentence for me, I can’t calmly look at an actor’s play knowing that he is such an abomination, my body won’t digest it. But I in no way urge you to feel the same way.) "Nor is simple neutrality is an endorsement of "anti-woke" politics" - when someone defecates on someone's head and a person does nothing and silently endures thinking that he will remain neutral, then this is already unhealthy behavior. There are situations when neutrality is a reasonable choice, but sometimes it's just an attempt to turn a blind eye, hide your head in the sand.

[@djprincegrandmasteryrjdalo2905]

⁠​⁠ Please tell me you’re joking without saying, you’re actually joking, how the fuck is feminism an abomination?