Many viewers liked the beautiful fairy tale fantasy - the film "The Seventh Son". Many waited for the year 2014, since it was announced for hire just then. The intriguing plot, the participation of stars such as Julianne Moore and Jeff Bridges could not but arouse interest. Critics wondered if Russian director Sergei Bodrov Sr. could create a decent picture on a fantasy theme. She saw the light only at the beginning of 2015. Opinions were divided about the film - half of the viewers considered it a failure, the other a completely successful fantasy tale.
Sergei Bodrov Sr. - Director of "The Seventh Son"
For Russian viewers, the film is of interest primarily because it was shot by a domestic director. Bodrov Sr. is known for many successful works. Two of them were nominated for an Oscar - the Mongol and the Caucasian Prisoner. Therefore, the news that he began work on a film in the fantasy genre aroused great interest. For Bodrov himself, the news that the producers of the film had chosen him from among many worthy candidates was unexpected and pleasant.
History of creation
Universal Pictures studio and Legendary Pictures company thought about the film adaptation of Delaney's book after its release in the United States. Actors were found quickly enough, but the search for the director dragged on. The producers wanted to make the picture international, so that it would have a special atmosphere. The choice fell on Bodrov after one of the producers saw his film "Mongol". The film crew and actors were also happy about the opportunity to work with a Russian director.
Filming began in 2012. Mostly they took place in Canada. Huge scenery was created in Vancouver. The artist decided to move away from the traditional for paintings of a similar genre of Gothic architecture. It was decided to create something new, an alloy of different cultures and eras.
Much work has been done by the costume designer. Since in the film the action takes place in an uncertain country, and the time period is also unknown, this gave reason to show imagination. Costumes of peoples from different historical eras were taken into service.
A special role in the film belongs to special effects. Many scenes, especially the transformation of Malkin and her minions into dragons and other creatures, look great. It could not be otherwise - the same team worked on them, which took part in the creation of Star Wars.
The plot of the film "The Seventh Son"
John Gregory, the witcher and the last of the ancient Order to fight evil, high up in the mountains, encloses the powerful witch Malkin in a deep well with iron bars. Once they were lovers, but the evil, which increasingly dominated her, made Gregory imprison her former lover in prison.
After many years, the witch was able to break free and decided to take revenge on all living things. She gathers all surviving supporters in her citadel and begins to attack the cities. Along the way, Malkin kills a witcher student, whom he trained for ten years. Now Gregory has almost no time to prepare a new assistant. Only the seventh son of the seventh son can help him - one who has unprecedented magical power. And the witcher finds him - this is the son of a simple farmer Tom Ward.
Young men and Gregory have very little time to develop a plan to save the world. When the bloody moon rises, Malkin’s strength will increase so much that no one can cope with it.
Legend of the seventh son
According to the beliefs of many European nations, the seventh son of the seventh son possessed supernatural powers. It was believed that magical powers became subject to him and he could heal from diseases. There are other versions. According to one of them, such a person became the bearer of a curse. This belief is connected with the number "seven", to which from ancient times they attached mystical significance.
“The Witcher Apprentice” Joseph Delaney - the basis of the film Bodrov Sr.
The plot of the film "The Seventh Son" is based on the first novel from a series of books by an English writer about Tom Ward, who became a student of the famous witcher John Gregory. The cycle consists of ten books.
The review of the film “The Seventh Son” of Delaney himself is unknown, but those who read the source will note some differences in the plot of the picture and the book. Tom Ward in the film is much older than his prototype. The hero’s mother in the novel does not die in the battle with the witches, but returns to her homeland to fight against evil there. There are many discrepancies between the film and the original. In fact, only the basis remained unchanged - the struggle of the student and teacher with the strongest of the witches Malkin. It seems that the writer allowed the scriptwriters to slightly change the original plot in order to fit the whole story into the framework of one picture.
Cast
Feedback on the film "The Seventh Son" should be positive at least for the composition of the performers who participate in it.
The main role - the student of the witcher Tom Ward was played by Ben Barnes, better known as Prince Caspian from the Chronicles of Narnia.
The role of the witcher John Gregory needed an actor who could create the image of a tired, slightly grouchy and cynical warrior with a quick-tempered character. Jeffrey Bridges was just perfect for this role. And he gladly started filming, especially since one of the main roles was to be played by Julianne Moore, with whom they got along very well during the creation of the picture “Big Lebowski”. In 2014, Bridges played the old teacher in the movie Dedicated, so it was easy for him to get used to the image of the mentor again.
Thanks to the film, Julianne Moore now has the role of a witch in her arsenal. Malkin in her performance turned out to be truly cruel and merciless. The actress managed to convey a combination of elegant beauty and evil in one person.
Jason Scott Lee, familiar to the audience as Bruce Lee, in the film "The Seventh Son" appeared in an interesting image of Urag, Malkin's assistant, who takes the form of a giant bear.
English actor Keith Harington, who played in the TV series Game of Thrones by Robb Stark, played the role of Tom's predecessor, who was mercilessly killed by the witch queen.
Olivia Williams, a British actress, played the role of Tom's mother, who was also a witch, but went over to the good side.
Reviews from critics and viewers
Despite high expectations, the picture was not well received by critics. If we summarize all the statements in one review of the film “The Seventh Son”, we get the following verdict: “The slurred logic of the plot and the fantastic creatures piled into a bunch turned the picture into a vinaigrette from everything that fell into the hands of an unlucky chef.”
Critics, however, liked the work of Bodrov. Here they just praised him for saving the film with a good production. Claims were to a small timekeeping, which simply did not give time to reveal the characters' characters. The plot seemed too simple and naive to the critics, the dialogues were trivial, and the jokes were not funny. There were no complaints against the actors' game.
Rental Results
Was the film “The Seventh Son” successful? 2014 was a waiting time for the audience, but the picture was released only at the beginning of 2015. Despite being late, there were many who wanted to see the new work of director Bodrov. With a budget of about $ 100 million, the picture collected a good amount of 110 million. This is not a record, but not a failure either. Despite the negative reviews from critics, viewers found the picture interesting.
Conclusion
To make your impression and review of the film "The Seventh Son", it is worth watching it yourself. He really deserves the attention of the audience with a dynamic plot, good cast and impressive special effects.