An important event for the domestic film industry was the release of the film “Viking” in 2016. The appearance of the picture at the box office was preceded by a rather active PR campaign, positioning the tape, as the Russian response to “Game of Thrones” and other near-historical film projects. Let's find out if the movie turned out to be so good, how was it advertised?
Budget
A record amount (for modern Russian cinema) of almost 21 million dollars was allocated for the production of this project. It is worth noting that the picture paid off for the money spent, having earned more than 30 million at the box office.
Despite the fact that the project was more than successful financially, after the release of the movie, a flurry of criticism rained down.
For example, on the same KinoPoisk tape, only 104 positive reviews were dedicated, and 246 were negative.
What is the picture about
This story is an attempt by the authors to tell their version of the history of the baptism of Kievan Rus.
After the death of Prince Svyatoslav, he had three sons left: Yaropolk, Oleg and Vladimir. When hunting, Oleg accidentally kills the servant of Yaropolk and, fleeing from his brother, dies. According to the laws of their ancestors, now Vladimir must avenge the death of one brother to another.
Following Sveneld’s insistence, the young prince gathers the army of the Varangians and goes to Kiev.
On the way, they call in on a visit to Prince Polotsk. Vladimir invites Oleg's ex-bride, Rogneda, to become his wife. However, the girl refuses and insults the groom. In revenge, the Varangians attack the city, and Vladimir forcibly marries Rogneda.
In further wars, Yaropolk perishes, and Vladimir draws close to his pregnant Christian wife Irina. It is this woman who manages to interest the new prince by the faith of the Greeks.
Letting her go home to Byzantium, Vladimir goes to war on Korsun in order to marry the sister of the Byzantine emperor - Anna. But when the hero nevertheless manages to take the city, he changes, deciding to become a Christian, and at the same time bring a new faith to Kiev.
Historical basis
In addition to the weak, not always logical plot, Viking was criticized most of all for its excessively free attitude to historical reality. In fairness, it is worth saying that most historical art projects, as a rule, are far from events that actually took place. However, according to many historians, the Viking has surpassed them all.
If the chronology of the events of the project is more or less true, then the description of the life of the ancient Slavic pagans does not withstand any criticism. Rusich are portrayed as dirty and stupid, forgotten by God people living almost in the stables. At the same time, it has been historically proved that in the 10th century the Slavs were already famous as excellent craftsmen, and in the Byzantine Empire their products were very much appreciated.
A lot of work has also been written on the hygiene of Rusich. It is known that the Slavs almost always settled near water bodies, not only in order to make farming easier, but also to be able to maintain cleanliness in their homes.
As for the human sacrifices that are shown in the Viking, most Slavic tribes did not practice them. And for those who allowed the killing of people for ritual purposes, this did not happen at all as shown in the film.
As for the Christianization of Russia itself, it is known that Christianity became one of the most common religions in Kiev, even under Vladimir’s grandmother, Princess Olga. In fact, the Varangian prince (and not the Viking, as he is positioned in the tape) only legitimized the already existing order.
main characters
Before you consider the game of the actors of the movie “Viking” (2016) it is worth knowing which main characters act in it.
As the name implies, the main character is the youngest son of the deceased prince Svyatoslav - Vladimir. In the picture he is shown as, in general, a good, but confused person.
Despite the mind and strength, the young prince is constantly under some influence. In most cases, the governor Sveneld pushes him to do bad things. Unfortunately, for the whole picture the main character does not find the strength to become independent, but only changes one manipulator, for another.
Yaropolk is the strongest and richest of the three Svyatoslavichs. Due to his too arrogant behavior, there is a quarrel with Oleg, as a result of which the latter perishes.
At the same time, Yaropolk, like all three sons of Svyatoslav Igorevich in this picture, at certain times manifests himself as a coward. For example, not wanting to take responsibility for Oleg’s death, he decides to “atone” for guilt by executing the governor’s brother, Sveneld, for failing to save Oleg.
The governor himself is an experienced warrior, he respects the old customs. In the past, he was a faithful servant of Svyatoslav, after his death he began to serve Oleg, and later, he moved to Vladimir. The creators of the project shift most of the blame for the misconduct of the prince precisely on this character. And to make the image of Sveneld even more disgusting, they add in the final a scene in which he tries to kill Vladimir.
Rogneda is another wicked but beautiful demon of Vladimir. When the girl insulted him, calling him the son of a slave (which was true), the prince destroys her house, and the girl herself is raped in front of her parents. In the future, she finds the strength to love her husband. However, it turns out that he and the prince are different people. But it is this wife who will give birth to Yaroslav the Wise - the most famous and successful Kiev prince.
If Rogneda is the demon of Vladimir, then Irina is an angel. Like the Polovtsian princess, she became the wife of Yaropolk not of her own will. At one time, this prince attacked her monastery and took away the beautiful Greek woman with him. Despite the fact that Vladimir makes her his concubine, the woman forgives him. In the future, she becomes the person closest to him and helps the hero find his way.
Varyazhko is one of the most faithful servants of Yaropolk. Unlike Sveneld (who quickly found a new master after Oleg’s death), Varyazhko, even after the death of Yaropolk, continues to remain loyal to him.
That is why he seeks to take revenge on Vladimir, indirectly guilty of this, and save the pregnant Irina.
Minor Heroes
Which of the actors in the movie “Viking” (2016) plays minor characters? We learn about this at the end of the article.
Prince Oleg can be attributed to secondary heroes, since he practically does not participate in the plot. Sveneld describes this hero as a brave knight to the madness. However, after several scenes, the prince manifests himself as a coward, running away from his brother, although he has not yet threatened him. As a result of the escape, his horse stumbles, the rider falls into the pit with spears and dies.
Prince of Polotsk Rogvolod is a worthy and intelligent ruler. However, his connivance to his death.
The Christian warrior Fedor is courageous, strong and judicious, opposed to the Vikings who drink a psychotropic potion in order to win battles.
Looking at him, it seems that Fedor and his son John are the only (besides Irina) Christians in Kiev, but this is very doubtful. Not only from a historical point of view, but also a logical one. After all, it turns out that the very people of Kiev who dreamed of sacrificing John, in the final, they themselves safely become Christians. However, they do not show any regret for the murdered by them Fedor and John. Somehow, it is difficult to believe in their sincere repentance.
Also in the tape the noble priest Anastas and the pagan magus are in a peculiar way opposed. When creating the characters of these characters, the writers too rushed to extremes. As a result, they allegedly showed absolute good in the person of Anastas, and evil in the face of the Kiev magician.
The film "Viking" (2016): actors and roles
Having considered the main characters acting in the plot, it is worth moving on to the main issue. So, what actors of the movie “Viking” (2016) allowed to create these images?
It is worth noting that artists are perhaps the only thing for which the film can be watched.
Prince Vladimir was played by Danila Kozlovsky ("We are from the future", "Friday"). His brother Yaropolk is Alexander Ustyugov (“Peter the Magnificent”, “Fathers and Sons”).
The role of the cunning Sveneld was played by Maxim Sukhanov (“Countdown”, “Inhabited Island”), and the faithful Varyazhko - Igor Petrenko (“Driver for Vera”, “Taras Bulba”).
Considering the actors, roles and photos from the movie “Viking” (2016), it is worth paying attention to the leading performers.
The impudent pagan Rogneda was played by Alexandra Bortich ("The Elusive 1-4"). It is worth noting that she and her heroine are ethnic Belarusians.
Christian Irina in the film was performed by Svetlana Khodchenkova, who agreed to change her hair color for the role.
Photos from the movie “Viking” (2016) and actors who played minor characters
Having examined the leading actors, it is worth paying attention to the artists who played minor characters.
I would like to note among the actors of the film “Viking” (2016) Kirill Pletnev (“Saboteur”, “Three Days Until Spring”). He played the role of Prince Oleg.
The failed father-in-law of this prince - Rogvolod, was played by Andrey Smolyakov ("Bourgeois's Birthday", "The Fugitive"). The martyr Fedor was performed by Vladimir Epifantsev (“Generation P”, “Spy”), and his son was a budding artist Ivan Shmakov.
Among the actors of the film "Viking" (Russia, 2016) and foreigners. For example, Anastasa was played by Pole Pavel Delong (“Kamo Gryadeshi”, “Schindler's List”), and Joakim Nutterquist, the leader of the Vikings Hevding. The role of the magician was played by Anton Adasinsky, a former member of the AVIA group.