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Dec 13, 2014Nursebob rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Based on the books by Jan Guillou, this spirited costume epic set in medieval Scandinavia follows the shifting fortunes of Arn, a Swedish Knight Templar sent to defend the Holy Land for a period of twenty years as a form of penance after he falls in love with and impregnates a local chieftain’s daughter. With glorious widescreen cinematography that makes the most of its European and Moroccan locations, an international cast of seasoned actors, and an intelligent script that shifts effortlessly between English, Swedish and Arabic, Peter Flinth’s assured film seamlessly combines a rousing historical adventure with a heartbreaking love story. Even in the midst of clashing armies his camera manages to capture the subtlest nuance; a hungry stare, a bloodied crucifix, while scenes of battlefield carnage and desert sandstorms give way to quietly lit chapels and gentle snowfalls. Perhaps he relies a little too heavily on slow motion brooding and soaring chorales, but it’s a small critique for something that kept me captivated for over two hours.