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.
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.
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.
@@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.
@@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.
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.
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
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.
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...
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.
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.
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).
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.
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!
@@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
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.
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(
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
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!
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.
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.
@@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.
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
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.
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…
I hadn't seen a UA-cam 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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
I came across this channel to learn more about some of my ancestors. My rabbit hole began with reading Bryan Sykes where he wrote that descendants of the I-M253 haplogroup trace their lineage to Wodan. As a Christian, I cannot abandon my faith, but learning about my ancestors and their culture is a blessing and for that, I will be forever thankful to you. Kudos Tom, your channel is a true blessing. Also high praise to Eggers for putting together this beautiful piece of art, I am pretty sure it faced a lot of opposition from the usual suspects.
@@rapecel You can't "reconvert" to something that you never converted to in the first place, genius. European paganism has been dead for a thousand years. Neo-pagans today are simply LARPers playing dress-up. Christianity won. Get over it.
The old gods have been abandoned. You say this, but I have discovered Orthodox Christianity. Pre-Christian doesn't exist because he has been prophesized for thousands of years. There is only pre-incarnate Christianity.@@rapecel
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.
Probably the only review on UA-cam 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.
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.
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)
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.
Great breakdown of the historical aspects of an incredible movie. Excited to see what other gems are lurking in the back catalog of videos for this channel. Thanks!
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.
@@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.
I find the concept of the introduction being done in that way interesting. Last year, I started writing a Science Fantasy book called The Midnight Deep, that takes place in a far away star cluster in some distant time. It feels both modern and futuristic, but ancient at the same time. The stars hold both cold emptiness, but also Lovecraftian horrors beyond your comprehension. The story is too detailed to go on about here, but for some reason I got the inspiration for the intro of the book to begin with an ancient poem from my world, called 'The Song of the Stars.' That is what my book was originally going to be called before I came up with the current title, but basically the poem recalls an ancient war and the triumph of the human spirit in unimaginable darkness. It takes place tens of thousands of years before the main story, but in my universe only sub-light space travel is possible, and the people live for hundreds of years, so they are human, but also not really human. The poem is still ancient by the time of the story. Basically, the poem is meant to provide a background and set the stage for the central struggles in the universe, and how only one thing reigns supreme in their world: The cold harshness of space, and death. I never knew that famous epic poetry also began in a similar way. I might have subconsciously picked up the idea when reading about the Odyssey, but at the same time the idea just came spontaneously to me late one night, almost like a vision. The whole poem formed and the intro to my book. I hope to finish at least the first draft by next year.
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!!
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.
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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.
I'd given up on modern film but it was this video which gave me the impetus to go and watch this in the cinema with a friend. We were not disappointed and I thank you.
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.
This is an insightful and comprehensive breakdown of pagan motifs in this amazing film. I never thought I would see a film as well-researched and respectful to its subject matter as The Northman in my lifetime.
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.
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 🙂)
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?
You touched on several topics that, each by themselves, could easily merit an hour long video alone. And for just an hour video, yours was probably the best such documentary I've ever seen on the topic. Please do continue. In this age, when Western European culture is so constantly under malicious attack and degradation, your videos are very important. It's the antidote of George Orwell's warning that the quickest way to destroy a people is to make them doubt their own history.
I've only just hit play and am looking forward to your review. I hope you'll be stopping by the very bacchanalia-esque little slave party that took place toward the end. That part sent shivers down my... everything! I truly ADORED "The Northman". Thanks so much to you, sir, for doing this.
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. 🌀🌾🌾🌀
Best review of this film and it's esoteric elements. I think it is great that so much research of Norse paganism and sagas had clearly gone into this film.
Fantastic breakdown, definitely deepened my appreciation of the film even more. The only correction I might make, if I may be so bold, is to say that during that time period there very likely still would have been birch forests in Iceland, as when the Norse settled there studies have shown Iceland could have been over 30% covered in forest, the deforestation only happened in the subsequent hundreds of years of occupation. Keep up the great content!!
@@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.
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.
I finally got to show it to my dad a day before this came out. Watching on TV is nothing compared to the theatre, but still he recognized the scope and literal epicness of this movie
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.
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.
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.
This truly was an excellent review about a really good movie. Appreciated the movie as a casual viewer, now can see it again and admire the work behind it too. Thanks
I like a lot this movie, maybe not 100% accurate but it's absolutely worth watching. A thing I noticed the first time I watched it it was the dead king in the burial mound that had Vendel clothing and weapons and I found very good that they had the accuracy of thinking about it. But then I realized that Vendel people never went to Iceland, but well no one is perfect.
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)
Yes!!!! My friend you have no idea how happy I am that you've covered this subject. It is probably the most realistic Viking film I'd ever seen. And of course, your video, the research, the presentation, were all gold. Exceedingly good content as usual.
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.
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.
@@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
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.
What timing, I just watched this movie again the other night. Fantastic film, gives me a special feeling every time I watch it. Excellent analysis Tom, as always your videos do not disappoint!
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.
We desperately need more films like this. Exploring our history and culture accurately.
Whatever the heathen version of "Amen ! " is, my man.
@@SwissCheese667 Strength and Honor
Yes, definitely. It is my world! 🌎
Totally agree.. but sadly these kinds of movies won't win awards because it isn't "diverse" in Hollywood's opinion
@@EstbXCIIIMost Hollywood movies are majority white. Most of the ones that win awards are especially so
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.
No I did not. well spotted!
I live 5 minutes away from here :)
I didn't know that about Iceland, so I learned something new. Thank you for helping to make my evening!
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.
Correct currently huge program to regrow them obviously getting ready for Ragnorok. Cheers from Mercia
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.
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.
@@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.
@@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.
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.
Please more historical breakdowns into the history of famous stories. In particular giving us the original sources. This is a delight.
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
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.
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...
We are our ancestors
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.
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.
You should watch my film about horse sacrifices
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).
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 🇮🇳🙏🫶
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.
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!
@@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
@@randyjones3050 here is a Chant from the Rig Vedic Ashwamedha Horse Sacrifice
ua-cam.com/video/3oZmTKFAyQ8/v-deo.html
Also similar to Zoroastrianism. The Aesir are literally the Ahura.
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.
me too
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(
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
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!
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.
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.
@@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.
@Milk Thistle but they bought the magic witchcraft herbs on Amazon for their pagan rituals. Does that not excuse centuries of rape and violence???
@@Primatenate88 well sadly centuries of rape of violence kinda kill your whole "pagan vibe" be careful what cultures you idolize for a trend.
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
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.
I echo your words, Kevin. Well said. And thank you, Tom.
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…
When I typed "The Northman Explained", this is EXACTLY what I was looking for. Great video, thank you!
Glad it helped!
I hadn't seen a UA-cam 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.
Welcome back!
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
This is probably the fourth time I've watched this since it was released and I've shared it with several. This was very well done Mr. Rowsell!
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!
After the VVitch, the Lighthouse, and the Northman, I am on the edge of my seat waiting for Eggers' next masterpieces.
Next is noveratu
I'm so excited 😊
@@panetapes right!!!
Astute analysis. Great movie. All should see. Will be sharing.
One of the greatest movies for years
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.
May Wotan be praised, you actually did this video. Thank you, Tom.
I wasn’t expecting the anchorman reference but thank you for finding a way to fit that in
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.
Give it ten years
saltycracker heh...I like it.
@@adamyoung6797 that's generous, I'd give it 5
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.
Reeeeeee! What do you mean there weren't morbidly obese, transgender, disabled, black vikings? Accept our diversity and inclusion, bigots!
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.
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.
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.
Please make sure to go and watch them and click like. Funny biz hiding them frm viewers
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.
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.)
Welcome aboard!
Just rewatched this a few weeks ago, so this is good timing whilst it's still fresh in my mind. Cheers, Tom!
Yay I've been waiting for this video since you mentioned you'd make it on your appearance on the GTK decameron.
STJ delivers
My libations worked.
I came across this channel to learn more about some of my ancestors. My rabbit hole began with reading Bryan Sykes where he wrote that descendants of the I-M253 haplogroup trace their lineage to Wodan. As a Christian, I cannot abandon my faith, but learning about my ancestors and their culture is a blessing and for that, I will be forever thankful to you. Kudos Tom, your channel is a true blessing.
Also high praise to Eggers for putting together this beautiful piece of art, I am pretty sure it faced a lot of opposition from the usual suspects.
Your rabbit hole will end in reconversion.
@@rapecel You can't "reconvert" to something that you never converted to in the first place, genius. European paganism has been dead for a thousand years. Neo-pagans today are simply LARPers playing dress-up. Christianity won. Get over it.
The old gods have been abandoned. You say this, but I have discovered Orthodox Christianity. Pre-Christian doesn't exist because he has been prophesized for thousands of years. There is only pre-incarnate Christianity.@@rapecel
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.
Probably the only review on UA-cam 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.
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.
Absolutely the greatest cinematic art of 2022.
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)
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.
Great breakdown of the historical aspects of an incredible movie. Excited to see what other gems are lurking in the back catalog of videos for this channel. Thanks!
Glad you enjoyed it! Please do explore!
I was long time waiting for this, fele thanks for this SJV, gods may lead thou always in the true.
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.
Hail Odin
wow, where do you live?
@@sliderstruth Our cultures largely got turned into a blob when we were Christianised.
@@marcusaurelius4941 the mountains of NY
@@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.
I find the concept of the introduction being done in that way interesting. Last year, I started writing a Science Fantasy book called The Midnight Deep, that takes place in a far away star cluster in some distant time. It feels both modern and futuristic, but ancient at the same time. The stars hold both cold emptiness, but also Lovecraftian horrors beyond your comprehension. The story is too detailed to go on about here, but for some reason I got the inspiration for the intro of the book to begin with an ancient poem from my world, called 'The Song of the Stars.'
That is what my book was originally going to be called before I came up with the current title, but basically the poem recalls an ancient war and the triumph of the human spirit in unimaginable darkness. It takes place tens of thousands of years before the main story, but in my universe only sub-light space travel is possible, and the people live for hundreds of years, so they are human, but also not really human. The poem is still ancient by the time of the story. Basically, the poem is meant to provide a background and set the stage for the central struggles in the universe, and how only one thing reigns supreme in their world: The cold harshness of space, and death.
I never knew that famous epic poetry also began in a similar way. I might have subconsciously picked up the idea when reading about the Odyssey, but at the same time the idea just came spontaneously to me late one night, almost like a vision. The whole poem formed and the intro to my book. I hope to finish at least the first draft by next year.
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!!
Great analysis, Tom!
It's amazing a film like this was made in this day and age!
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.
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.
excellent. Shared on twitter
Would a "sacrificial" knife be considered a "weapon" if it never saw battle thereby not breaking taboo of weapons in Freyrdshof?
MyHeritage's founder and CEO is Gilad Japhet and the company (apparently sponsoring this video) is headquartered in Or Yehuda, Israel.
@वेदेषु आर्कटिक गृहम् What's funny?
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.
My son and I watched this excellent movie a few weeks ago. Thank you for your superb analysis, Tom!
Glad you enjoyed it!
I'd given up on modern film but it was this video which gave me the impetus to go and watch this in the cinema with a friend. We were not disappointed and I thank you.
His previous film The Lighthouse was also cool
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.
Cool I’ve been to your ancestors castle at Alnwick in Northumbria. Cheers from Mercia
@@antonyreyn 👍
This is an insightful and comprehensive breakdown of pagan motifs in this amazing film. I never thought I would see a film as well-researched and respectful to its subject matter as The Northman in my lifetime.
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.
Seeing the Horned Spear dancer in this film was such a surreal moment for me!! Like seeing the Sutton Hoo carving come to life!
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 🙂)
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?
Loving the viking drip ❤️
You touched on several topics that, each by themselves, could easily merit an hour long video alone. And for just an hour video, yours was probably the best such documentary I've ever seen on the topic. Please do continue. In this age, when Western European culture is so constantly under malicious attack and degradation, your videos are very important. It's the antidote of George Orwell's warning that the quickest way to destroy a people is to make them doubt their own history.
Such a well done movie.
I've only just hit play and am looking forward to your review. I hope you'll be stopping by the very bacchanalia-esque little slave party that took place toward the end. That part sent shivers down my... everything! I truly ADORED "The Northman". Thanks so much to you, sir, for doing this.
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. 🌀🌾🌾🌀
You did well here. I was born in the north in 1962. Iwas told all the stories and all of them whre "find it out yourselve" Well done, vel gert.
The 'Iceman' movie based on Otzi, (much older time period obviously), was also pretty good recent European historical movie
This movie immerses you into the nordic myth so well it's amazing! I watched this movie with headphones for greater immersion, highly recommend it
Best review of this film and it's esoteric elements. I think it is great that so much research of Norse paganism and sagas had clearly gone into this film.
Thank you
Beautiful work done with obvious care. I'll be referring here those who liked the film and are further interested in its subject matter.
Looking forward to this!
Fantastic breakdown, definitely deepened my appreciation of the film even more. The only correction I might make, if I may be so bold, is to say that during that time period there very likely still would have been birch forests in Iceland, as when the Norse settled there studies have shown Iceland could have been over 30% covered in forest, the deforestation only happened in the subsequent hundreds of years of occupation.
Keep up the great content!!
Wonderful content as always
I appreciate that
This movie is so much deeper than I realized.
An excellent review Jive! The Northman was an incredible experience when I watched it both on a spiritual/esoteric level and on the aesthetic.
Well researched, thank you. And I'm due for another watch -great timing!
A masterpiece! (So was the movie) Thanks for the great commentary and analysis.
One of your best. It gives a great background for people who liked the film.
Iceland had trees during the Viking era. Icelandic Birch covered almost 40% of the island. The Vikings cut them all down.
They have found roots of ancient, large oak trees in Iceland as well.
Why’d they cut em all down?
I imagine fuel and building material.
@@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.
@@inquisitive- this. basically what colonizers did in North America but with bisons instead of trees.
so glad to see Andrei Rublev mentioned
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.
I finally got to show it to my dad a day before this came out. Watching on TV is nothing compared to the theatre, but still he recognized the scope and literal epicness of this movie
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.
Yes they are the same as the Greek Moirai
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.
This is by far my favorite review of this film, thank you.
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.
This truly was an excellent review about a really good movie. Appreciated the movie as a casual viewer, now can see it again and admire the work behind it too. Thanks
I like a lot this movie, maybe not 100% accurate but it's absolutely worth watching.
A thing I noticed the first time I watched it it was the dead king in the burial mound that had Vendel clothing and weapons and I found very good that they had the accuracy of thinking about it. But then I realized that Vendel people never went to Iceland, but well no one is perfect.
I thought this as well
Your knowledge is impressive. I genuinely enjoy your videos. Keep up the good work!
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)
Yes!!!! My friend you have no idea how happy I am that you've covered this subject. It is probably the most realistic Viking film I'd ever seen. And of course, your video, the research, the presentation, were all gold. Exceedingly good content as usual.
Thank you good sir. You are the Carl Sagan of Norse Paganism.
P.S., Nice devil horns during your sponsor section.😎😂
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.
It's as if this film was made with you as the target audience Tom.
Phenomenal video, the amount of effort you must've put into all the research for this video is mind numbing
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.
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.
Prince of Jutland is good because it uses really Danish and English looking landscapes and actual barrows and little Viking age horses
@@PanSzawu It never had Celts in it. It was Anglo-Saxon England where people spoke a language mutually intelligible with that of the Danes
@@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
Always excited for your videos! I haven't watched this movie but it doesn't take away from your analysis.
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.
What timing, I just watched this movie again the other night. Fantastic film, gives me a special feeling every time I watch it. Excellent analysis Tom, as always your videos do not disappoint!
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.
Your analysis greatly increased my enjoyment and understanding of this film. Thank you.
STJ is the voice to take up the mantle when David Attenborough finally leaves us
I thought i noticed a fair bit when watching this, but you have shown me so much more! Excellent analysis, thank you.