The Last King (2016)

In the year 1206 Norway is raged by civil war. The King's illegitimate infant son, Håkon Håkonsson, which half the kingdom wants killed off, is guarded in secrecy by two men. A story which changed the course of the country's history.

Director:

Nils Gaup

Writer:

Ravn Lanesskog

Stars:

Jakob Oftebro, Kristofer Hivju, Torkel Dommersnes Soldal

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jakob Oftebro	...	Skjervald
Kristofer Hivju	...	Torstein
Torkel Dommersnes Soldal	...	Egil (as Torkel D. Soldal)
Ane Ulimoen Øverli	...	Inga
Nikolaj Lie Kaas	...	Orm
Pål Sverre Hagen	...	Gisle
Åsmund Brede Eike	...	Stale (as Åsmund-Brede Eike)
Thorbjørn Harr	...	Inge
Thea Sofie Loch Næss	...	Kristin
Jeppe Beck Laursen	...	Audun
Fridtjov Såheim	...	Gard
Bjørn Sundquist	...	Chancellor
Jonathan Oskar Dahlgren	...	Baby Håkon Håkonson
Ravn Lanesskog	...	Lodin
Benjamin Helstad	...	King Håkon

Storyline

In the year 1206 Norway is raged by civil war. The King's illegitimate infant son, Håkon Håkonsson, which half the kingdom wants killed off, is guarded in secrecy by two men. A story which changed the course of the country's history.

---

Plot Keywords:

interrupted wedding | norwegian history | medieval | 

---

Taglines:

A story of legendary bravery

---

Genres:

Action | Drama | History | War

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence and a scene of sexuality

Did You Know?

Trivia

The character "Gisle" is based on the real life Norwegian Jarl "Håkon the Crazy". The name was changed to avoid confusion in a movie that already have two Håkons. Jarl Håkon was also never directly antagonistic towards his brother, Inge, even though they are said to have had a shaky relationship at best.

---

Goofs

Potatoes didn't exist in Norway before 1750.

---

Quotes

Skjervald: No, wait, wait! The King's son is in Borg.
Stale: He was in Borg. You and Torstein took him away. I saw you there. Just tell us where the boy is, and he will let Ylva and your son live. The King is dead, Skjervald. Tell where the boy is.
Skjervald: Okay, I will show you the way. I will come with you.
Orm: Which direction?
Skjervald: To the north.
Orm: Where?
Skjervald: Where the Lågen flows into Lake Mjøsa.
Stale: I know where it is. I can take you there.
Skjervald: Traitor!

---

Crazy Credits

Quote at end of credits: "The difference between a novelist and a historian is this: that the former tells lies deliberately and for the fun of it; the historian tells lies and imagines he is telling the truth"

---

Soundtracks

Biskupin
Composed by Gaute Storaas and performed by Bratislava Symphony Orchestra
© (p) 2016 Lydmuren

User Reviews

All it needs is a better story

As a Norwegian, I appreciate that we are starting to make movies that on a technical level are as good as this. The costumes, locations, music, special effects and acting were all on a professional level, just as something you would expect from any other European movie.

The setting was also good. Norway should take advantage of its history, and make the kind of movies that it would not make sense for other countries to make. Speaking as a Norwegian, there are too few good cross-country skiing action sequences out there.

The story that this is based on is interesting, but the movie's flaw is that it never quite managed to capture the drama inherit in the story it tells. I found myself not caring much about the scenes with the scheming and plotting, the villain and his people. All of that. In fact, that most interesting part of the movie was probably the "Two men and a baby"-aspect of it, which at times were very enjoyable.

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook (Norwegian)

Country:

Norway Denmark Sweden Ireland Hungary

Language:

Norwegian

Release Date:

17 June 2016 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Last King

Filming Locations:

Lillehammer, Norway

Box Office

Budget:

NOK45,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$4,599, 19 June 2016

Gross USA:

$8,905

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$3,705,618

Company Credits

Production Co:

Newgrange Pictures, Nordisk Film Production, Paradox Film 3

Technical Specs

Runtime:

99 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1