Royal Deceit (1994)

An ancient Danish story of evil, power and human spirit, that subsequently inspired William Shakespeare on his tragedy - Hamlet.

Director:

Gabriel Axel

Writers:

Gabriel Axel (screenplay), Erik Kjersgaard (screenplay)

Stars:

Gabriel Byrne, Helen Mirren, Christian Bale

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Gabriel Byrne	...	Fenge
Helen Mirren	...	Geruth
Christian Bale	...	Amled
Brian Cox	...	Aethelwine
Steven Waddington	...	Ribold
Kate Beckinsale	...	Ethel
Tony Haygarth	...	Ragnar
Freddie Jones	...	Bjorn
Tom Wilkinson	...	Hardvendel
Saskia Wickham	...	Gunvor
Brian Glover	...	Caedman
Mark Williams	...	Aslak
Andy Serkis	...	Torsten
Philip Rham	...	Aelfred
Ewen Bremner	...	Frovin

Storyline

This re-telling of Hamlet goes back to the original Danish source material. The opening scenario remains the same: Hamlet's father murdered by his brother who then weds the widowed mother. Hamlet must discover his strength and leadership that will allow him to regain his rightful throne. Don't expect an ending which matches the Bard's though, this is more like a true Viking epic.

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Plot Keywords:

regicide | voice over narration | vengeance | uncle nephew relationship | stepfather stepson relationship | 

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Taglines:

His Quest for Vengeance... May Cost Him Everything.

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Genres:

Adventure | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some violence and scenes of nudity

Details

Country:

Netherlands UK Denmark France Germany

Language:

English Danish

Release Date:

23 February 1994 (France)

Also Known As:

Royal Deceit

Company Credits

Production Co:

Les Films Ariane, Woodline Films Ltd., Kenneth Madsen Filmproduktion A/S

Technical Specs

Runtime:

103 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The first of two movies pairing Christian Bale and Kate Beckinsale.

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Goofs

On the day Hardvendel dies, Fenge receives a significant cut wound to his upper left arm. The very next day, after Hardvendel's funeral, Fenge is seen stripped in a sauna and there is no trace of the wound whatsoever.

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Crazy Credits

The director would like to thank Extras for their patience and cooperation.

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Connections

Version of Ithele na ginei vasilias (1967)

User Reviews

Not American...

If you have seen Babette's Feast and can appreciate the difference between a more European, understated style of film making and the slam-bang, in-your-face style the Yanks dish out year in and year out... Then this may be a movie for you.

Here is a small film by a director working in a language that is not his own. An experiment in story telling that succeeds on its own terms. Here is a film that is scored by one of the more highly rated, avant-guard classical composers in Europe. It re-tells a well beloved story by going at it by the roots in order to give it a fresh spin. The wonderful cast of British (and Irish) stars can be applauded for endorsing what must have been a modestly budgeted film.

Of course it is not Shakespeare. But it sheds new light on the Hamlet play by exploring the legend that inspired the bard to choose it as story material. For fans of history and drama.