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IMDbPro

A Viking Saga: The Darkest Day

  • 20132013
  • RR
  • 1h 28m
IMDb RATING
4.1/10
1.4K
YOUR RATING
A Viking Saga: The Darkest Day (2013)
Cast into a violent and bloody world of murder, Hereward, a novice monk, must deliver the Holy Gospel of Lindisfarne - a book of great beauty and power - to the safety of the Iona monastery, while being pursued by a Viking death squad hell- bent on its ca
Play trailer1:05
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Hereward, a novice monk, must deliver the Holy Gospel of Lindisfarne to the safety of the Iona monastery, while being pursued by a Viking death squad hell-bent on its capture.Hereward, a novice monk, must deliver the Holy Gospel of Lindisfarne to the safety of the Iona monastery, while being pursued by a Viking death squad hell-bent on its capture.Hereward, a novice monk, must deliver the Holy Gospel of Lindisfarne to the safety of the Iona monastery, while being pursued by a Viking death squad hell-bent on its capture.
IMDb RATING
4.1/10
1.4K
YOUR RATING
    • Chris Crow
    • Chris Crow
    • Graham Davidson
  • Stars
    • Gareth John Bale
    • Ian Dicks
    • Richard Elfyn
    • Chris Crow
    • Chris Crow
    • Graham Davidson
  • Stars
    • Gareth John Bale
    • Ian Dicks
    • Richard Elfyn
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 18User reviews
    • 11Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Videos2

    A Viking Saga: The Darkest Day
    Trailer 1:05
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    A Viking Saga: The Darkest Day
    Trailer 1:07
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    Photos10

    A Viking Saga: The Darkest Day (2013)
    A Viking Saga: The Darkest Day (2013)
    Mark Lewis Jones and Paul Jibson in A Viking Saga: The Darkest Day (2013)
    A Viking Saga: The Darkest Day (2013)
    A Viking Saga: The Darkest Day (2013)
    A Viking Saga: The Darkest Day (2013)
    A Viking Saga: The Darkest Day (2013)
    A Viking Saga: The Darkest Day (2013)
    'Darkest Day'

    Top cast

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    Gareth John Bale
    Gareth John Bale
    • Apostle
    Ian Dicks
    • Saxon Warrior
    Richard Elfyn
    Richard Elfyn
    • Older Hereward
    Lindsey Fickling
    • Saxon Warrior
    Paul Gamble
    • Saxon Warrior
    Huw Garmon
    • Atelic
    Christopher Godwin
    • Athelstan
    Gareth Groombridge
    • Saxon Warrior
    Ioan Hefin
    Ioan Hefin
    • Ambushing Bowman
    Aled Humphreys
    • Naked Monk
    Rob Jackson
    • Saxon Warrior
    Richard James
    • Apostle
    Michael Jibson
    Michael Jibson
    • Hamal
    Paul Jibson
    Paul Jibson
    • Yngvarr
    Mark Lewis Jones
    Mark Lewis Jones
    • Aethelwulf
    Fraser Maclennan
    • Saxon Warrior
    Gary Mavers
    Gary Mavers
    • Drengr
    Jason May
    Jason May
    • Arn
      • Chris Crow
      • Chris Crow
      • Graham Davidson
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

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    User reviews18

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    7/10
    Anglo-Saxon believers vs. Viking "devils" in the haunting woods of Britain
    The Viking era lasted roughly 300 years from about 790 to the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. The word 'Viking' comes from the Old English wicing, meaning pirate. The Vikings were Norse plunderers from what is modern-day Norway and Denmark who preferred to prey upon undefended rich monasteries in Britain and nearby regions. Their speedy longships gave them terrifying mobility. By the time an army was raised against them they had moved on to other raids.

    I bring this up to point out that the supposedly mighty Vikings were not noble warriors, but rather lowly brigands who preferred weak, defenseless victims. "A Viking Saga: Decision Day" (2013) drives this home and details a Viking raid on a monastery (mostly off-screen) and the subsequent pursuit through the haunting grey woods as the Viking chieftain seeks a priceless holy book in the possession of two monks who escaped the monastery.

    The sluggish, grim tone is akin to that of "Valhalla Rising" (2009), but I slightly prefer this one due to the potent theme, which addresses the folly of absolute pacifism vs. the wisdom of limited pacifism. The former stupefying-ly refuses to resort to physical violence under any conditions whereas the latter resorts to violence only when necessary and justified. The young simpering monk in the movie, Hereward (Marc Pickering), represents the view of absolute pacifism while the noble warrior, Aethelwulf (Mark Lewis Jones), represents limited pacifism.

    The monks adhered to the gross misunderstanding that revolves around Christ' teaching to "turn the cheek." The Messiah was referring to a backhanded slap to the face, which was an insult in that culture. In other words, we could all save ourselves a lot of trouble in life if we learn to ignore the antagonism of various morons who would like to divert our focus and ruin our day. The Old Testament teaches this as well: "A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult" (Proverbs 12:16). So Christ was talking about giving an antagonist a break for the sake of peace in situations of personal offense; he was NOT referring to cases of criminal atrocities, which is what Viking raiders were guilty of committing. After all, why else do you think Christ allowed his disciples to carry swords, as chronicled in the Gospels?

    The bible says that governments are "God's servants" for good in the sense that they protect citizens from criminals and their military protects the people from foreign attack; in short, they "bear the sword," meaning that they possess the power to punish and even execute criminals or foreign raiders when justified (see Romans 13:1-6). Relating this to the movie, the monks were the government of their area and they in essence "bore the sword." As such, they would be perfectly justified in annihilating the Norse thugs from the face of the earth. It's a lesson Hereward needs to learn IF he and his remaining loved ones are to survive.

    One last thing: Someone commented on how the Vikings are effectively depicted as diabolical fiends, which is true to a point. They're also portrayed as mere men, who can be slain as easily as any other. This was a good call by the director in light of how Vikings are often depicted in a mythical super-heroic manner, which is light-years from the truth. They were wretched human pillagers, brutal murderers and sadistic rapists who deserved slain on sight. Speaking of which, the movie poster (and DVD cover) is thoroughly misleading and the clueless producer(s) responsible should be shot (not literally).

    The movie runs 1 hour, 28 minutes and was shot in Neath Port Talbot area in South Wales, Britain. The UK production reportedly only cost around $132,000, but you wouldn't know that from viewing the movie; it looks more like a $2 million production.

    GRADE: B/B-
    helpful•3
    2
    • Wuchakk
    • Oct 6, 2018

    Details

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    • Release date
      • July 23, 2013 (United States)
      • United Kingdom
      • Official Facebook
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      • English
    • Also known as
      • South Wales, Wales, UK
    • Production company
      • Lindisfarne Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • 1 hour 28 minutes
      • Color
      • Dolby Digital

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