Wrath of Gods (2007)

Truly Dreadful Film

Such a frustrating disappointment

Powerful

Fun premise, good actors, bad writing. This film seemed to have potential at the beginning but it quickly devolves into a trite action film. Ultimately it's very boring.

As of this time, this is on Prime, and since I was on a bit of a Vikings/Norse/Scandinavian kick, I gave it a go. I'm so glad that I did.I don't often find making-of-(movie-x) docs, because unless everything went insane, there's really not that much to see (or that you can't get in a director's commentary). This film shoot more than lived up to the 'insane' part. Every possible thing that could go wrong did go wrong. Literally, every. thing. In one scene, when they're almost, *almost*, done, a crew member says sarcastically "Well, at least we haven't had an earthquake or volcanic eruption." I thought to myself, oh god don't jinx yourself, but didn't _really_ believe it would. In the next scene (I can't recall, but it was a few days to a week later) the friggin volcano erupts. I sat there in compete disbelief. You couldn't write a script like this, everyone would scream about suspension of belief. The director, Stula, is almost child-like in his optimism. At the end, the person filming this asks him if he thought the shoot went well. Sturla replies "Oh yes! We had a car accident and no one got hurt (and some other examples like fire, hurricane, etc)." He's completely serious. He says something like "What fun would it be if you filmed in a studio and everything went exactly as planned?" I can only imagine the reaction of every other single person involved when they saw/heard that. He's very lucky that the last disaster wasn't "director found dead; appears to have been pushed off the cliff by angry mob." That actually wouldn't have surprised me at all.I guess the last bit of irony is that while the movie itself cost somewhere north of $16 million, the gross was under $100k. It sits at 5.1 on IMDB with 90% of the praise being "at least the scenery was incredible." Meanwhile this doc is at 7.9 and noted as having won 4 film festival awards. Ok, a list of some of the various disasters: *First they way under estimated the cost of everything in Iceland. Having been there, it's insane (understandably; it's an island so the majority of goods are imported.*The pre-production money was a month late. By which time the exchange rate of the kroner had increased 20%*Because of the delay, they were shooting in the fall, not summer. Iceland is one of those countries which has a very dramatic seasonal shift, the least of which being they had 6 minutes less light daily*They built a Viking long ship that turned out to be too wide to get across the bridge to the lagoon. When they *did* get across (with, according to some, about an inch to spare on either side) it leaked. To keep it afloat the crew rigged pumps, but those had to be hidden for filming. The cast was in a (quickly) sinking ship, with no life vests (they were sitting out of camera) in water so cold you can only survive in it about 5 minutes. While wearing full chain mail.*Much of the filming was outside, on cliffs. That year Iceland had the worst windstorms in 60 years. It was hurricane force, to the point of upturn cars and blowing the roof off a nearby hotel. On the one night they were shooting 'with fog', there was absolutely no wind and they had to use fans with the smoke machine.*They wanted to shoot a scene in the mead hall, because it was so windy it was blowing the beards off the actor's faces. The roads were icy so only the transport (I'm assuming heavier) vehicles could get up there. The first driver to try slid/was blown off the road and almost went off a cliff (not that it means more, but with 5 other people onboard)*The second time they tried to film a scene I the hall due to weather, it caught on fire. It didn't completely burn down, but was seriously damaged (in addition to all the wind damage)*Did I mention a freakin volcano erupted?! There are actually MORE things I'm forgetting. It's mind-boggling that 1) no one died .. 2) most cast and crew didn't leave .. 3) that it exists at all. Blood sweat and tears doesn't come close. Bravo to all.

It was fascinating to watch this DVD, both the documentary and the added footage.The incredible weather, the working conditions and the beautiful scenery I had heard about and expected from the clips I had seen previously. But what I didn't expect was such an eye opening journey into the world of film making.I am sure production difficulties/fun moments differ from film to film, which is another reason I would like to see more documentaries like this...it is so different from the other 'making of' or DVD extras that I have seen. For one, it unabashedly shows how directors/producers/cast and crew act in times of stress, as well as providing several outtakes with (somewhat) less emotional discussions of the situation. I thought it a brave film and commend Gustafsson as well as the participants for allowing such tense and unscripted moments to be viewed.What is strange is that it felt like Gustaffson was able to capture a completely honest picture of the people involved. Obviously, I wouldn't know, not knowing anyone in this production, but that is what it felt like...perhaps because people are most honest in times of stress when they do not put on a public persona. Of course, that runs the risk of being one sided, but so does any snapshot of life.Although I found it fascinating to listen to Gunnarsson, Butler, and other members of the production (the writer and producers especially), I would have liked to have heard more perspectives from other seasoned actors (such as Skarsgard) and less seasoned actors and crew. Given the talent of the director in capturing people so honestly, it left me wanting to see more....which after 3 hours of film is pretty spectacular.On a side note: It is funny how so many people criticize actors, and other industry people for being shallow or vain, or whathaveyou, but people are more complex than that. I think the tenacity, positive energy, crazy effort and creativity demonstrated by the participants of this film is wonderful (and I did enjoy Beowolf and Grendel), and according to those interviewed, this wasn't even the most difficult film that they had ever made! Well done.

I just finished watching the whole DVD and it's no surprise that I thoroughly enjoyed it. I have to say that as interesting as the film is, your narration and the music is what drew me in. The tone of your voice together with the music was a perfect match. You did a great job mixing everything together.Sturla is a true optimist. Faced with all the difficulties and having the right to feel beaten at times, he still persevered.Gerry is, of course, Gerry. Professional, determined and funny. He went through hell but still was able to give an excellent performance and retain his sense of humor.Everyone involved with Beowulf and Grendel should be very proud of their accomplishment. The adversity that was overcome to make this movie is amazing. Wrath Of Gods brings to light what sheer determination (and some luck) can do to make dreams become reality. This film would be an excellent teaching tool for any aspiring filmmaker! Congratulations Jon, very well done!!! Janet

Great doc!!!! about the making of a GREAT MOVIE!!! Wrath of Gods is about the agonies the cast and crew had to endure during the making of Sturla Gunnarsson's wondrously magical film, 'Beowulf and Grendel, (and it does in no way compare to Lost in LaMancha Terry Gilliam's lost tale of Don Quixote).Watching the movie, I could feel the icy rain and the northern wind during the movie and they are even more evident in Wrath.As an actor and sometimes director myself, I could immediately relate to everything they were going through but can't image how they were able to endure and still produce such a wonderful, beautiful and thoroughly entertaining movie.It's breathtakingly beautiful and Beowulf (Gerry Butler) and Selma (Sarah Polley) give wonderfully truthful and memorable performances.If you haven't seen Sturla Gunnarrson's 'Beowulf and Grendel' don't walk but run to your local video store and buy a copy, otherwise you'll be kicking yourself as you'll need to see it again and again.