Shadow of the Raven (1988)

Trausti returns to Iceland just in time to be entangled in a family feud over a stranded whale-cadaver. His mother (the family head) is mortally wounded and Grim kills Erikur; the other ... See full summary »

Director:

Hrafn Gunnlaugsson

Writer:

Hrafn Gunnlaugsson

Stars:

Reine Brynolfsson, Tinna Gunnlaugsdóttir, Egill Ólafsson

2 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Reine Brynolfsson	...	Trausti
Tinna Gunnlaugsdóttir	...	Isold
Egill Ólafsson	...	Hjoerleifur
Sune Mangs	...	Bishop
Kristbjörg Kjeld	...	Sigrid
Klara Íris Vigfúsdóttir	...	Sol
Helgi Skúlason	...	Grim
Johann Neumann	...	Leonardo
Helga Bachmann	...	Edda
Sigurður Sigurjónsson	...	Egill
Sveinn M. Eiðsson	...	Ketill
Flosi Ólafsson	...	Erikur
Guðmunda Elíasdóttir	...	Fostra
Rúrik Haraldsson	...	Lawman

Storyline

Trausti returns to Iceland just in time to be entangled in a family feud over a stranded whale-cadaver. His mother (the family head) is mortally wounded and Grim kills Erikur; the other clan leader. Isold, daughter of Erikur now takes his place. Isold and Trausti are attracted to each other, but Isold was promised to Hjoerleifur - the son of the Bishop (of Iceland) and his powerful wife. However, Isold has a plan...

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Plot Keywords:

iceland | mother | sword and shield | sequel | second part | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Did You Know?

Trivia

Appearing as a extra in this film is what made Noomi Rapace want to be an actress. According to Rapace, some of the actors where getting tired after a long day of shooting the wedding scene and asked director Hrafn Gunnlaugsson to call it a day. When he heard this, he pointed at Rapace who was still dancing after hours of filming, and said: "Look, if that little girl can continue, then so can you!"

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Quotes

Trausti: [to a statue of Odin] You gave my father strength. Now you will help Jesus Christ.

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Connections

References Ran (1985)

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Soundtracks

Suðurnesjamenn
Written by Sigvaldi Kaldalóns

User Reviews

Truly amazing film

Another great film from Iceland. What a beautiful and deep work! I saw it many times in my home country, Russia, as it was shown on central TV quite often in 1999-2001. The story is breathtaking - Trausti, who has become a Christian, returns to Iceland from Europe, but then he is thought to be lost at sea and while he is still not found, his house is looted, his people are murdered and he is virtually alone. Then, his revenge starts. Trausti finds new people who will help him to avenge his family and friends. Finally, he uses a very sly method, with the help of nature - in fact, a geyser, that is used as a water heater there. Then, mostly all of his enemies are destroyed and although Trausti is revenged, the film leaves you with a heavy heart, as so many people are dead. What is great in this film is the brilliant, severe nature, with terrible rains all the time. It is not merely a background for the action, no, it acts and work out as a real hero there, too. Other big plus is the role of the fat, greedy Bishop, who is the actual master of the lands, and he is a vile, sinful, horrid creature, with no drop of Christian mercy inside. His power is enormous and his deeds are so gruesome that you feel a deep disgust to him. The very fact that even in a "baptized" land people still pray to hidden statues of Thor explains much in this film. The faith has not come, and the nominal religion is used for masking the bloody crimes. Watch this splendid and breathtaking film, you really must do it.

Details

Country:

Sweden Iceland Norway

Language:

Icelandic German

Release Date:

23 October 1988 (Iceland)

Also Known As:

Shadow of the Raven

Filming Locations:

Krýsukvik, Iceland

Box Office

Budget:

ISK200,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cinema Art, Film, Svenska Filminstitutet (SFI)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

124 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Fujicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1