Sword Of Vengeance

Title: Sword Of Vengeance (15)

Year: 2015

Running Time: 87 minutes

Director: Jim Weedon

Cast: Stanley Weber (Shadow Walker), Annabelle Wallis (Anna), Karel Roden (Durant) Notes: None

Rating: 8

Thoughts:   The Shadow Walker returns to the now Norman lands after the Saxon defeat at Hastings. And seeks vengeance.

The film is shot in monochrome with little hints of sepia, immediately adding mood. Throw in some cool long shots, clever use of light (normally sparkling through trees) and there's plenty to soak up. The lead broods.

The actors all do a decent job and the direction is very good, albeit with plenty of nods to Sergio Leone - raindrops fall off the hero and his foe, slow walks abound and there are plenty of cuts to a slow-moving hand near a weapon.

,The fighting is brutal, close up and grim. It all fits the feel of it. So far so good, but it's not without errors.

Firstly, as I read the opening captions I wrote down the ending - and was 90% correct. It is a little predictable. Also, this has no tie to the Norman invasion.

The period, the years post Hastings, are fascinating but are hardly used. In addition, there are a few plot elements that don't fit for me.

The hero is sneaked up on twice early on which feels unrealistic. There's an unnecessary sex scene, thankfully brief, and the introduction of some Viking berserkers is just a bit silly. Later the enemy leader charges ahead of his men, then disappears completely, only to join in again at the very end of the battle to cause an end scene.

They are mild annoyances and don't especially detract from a brutal and visceral film, with strong acting, realistic fighting (one hand flying through the air forever aside), and plenty of cool shots.

Early on I was reminded of elements of High Plains Drifter in terms of the revenge tale and a lot of the ways it is portrayed.