Viking The Darkest Day

Title: Viking The Darkest Day (15)

Year: 2013

Running Time: 86 minutes

Director: Chris Crow

Cast: Gareth John Bale (Apostle), Ian Dicks (Saxon Warrior), Richard Elfyn (Older Hereward) Notes: Also called Viking Saga The Darkest Day

Rating: 9

Thoughts:   Novice monk Hereward flees with the Holy Book of Lindisfarne, heading for Iona. He's pursued by a Viking band desperate to capture the book.

Generally this is a decent effort.

The dialogue is realistic and they really capture the brutality of the time. You totally believe the Vikings will do anything.

The monk meets people along the way and their interchange is well done, feeling very natural. Perhaps the story risks going into a plod at times but there is plenty of action dotted around to get it all going again.

There's a claim this is based on a true story - well, yes, the Vikings did invade England. But that's probably about it!

I can ignore that as it is a strong story, there is a real sense of danger for the heroes as they try to flee and it generally delivers.