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

Theatrical movie debut of Andy Serkis (Torsten).

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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

"I would like to thank my Mother for introducing me to, and teaching me to love these ancient Chronicles." - Gabriel Axel

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Connections

Version of Hamlet (1979)

User Reviews

Superb Acting

Although I found the movie a little short, and some of the fighting scenes almost laughable, I found the acting incredibly well done..particularly by Gabriel Byrne (after seeing him in Little Women first I didn't know if he could pull of an evil character..he does!) I also found Christian Bales acting one of the best that I have seen in a long time..his knack for accents has been mentioned so many times it's getting almost annoying (not the accent..the mention of it..) but I was quite pleasantly pleased to find out just how good Christian Bale was at acting like a lunatic..with all the talent that he has, it's surprising that he doesn't have all of Hollywood chasing after him to be in their films!