Product Details

• Actors: Gerard Butler, Sturla Gunnarsson
• Directors: Jon Gustafsson
• Producers: Gerard Butler, Karolina Lewicka, Jon Armann Steinsson
• Subtitles: English, Icelandic, Polish
• Region: All Regions
• Rated: Unrated
• Run Time: 192 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (44 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 9979702206
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #150,108 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

This is the Icelandic version of Wrath of Gods starring Gerard Butler. Winner of 6 international film festival awards, this entertaining documentary tells the dramatic story behind the making of the epic movie Beowulf & Grendel, starring Gerard Butler, Stellan Skarsgard, Sarah Polley and Ingvar Sigurdsson. When Canadian director Sturla Gunnarsson and his cast and crew, including Gerard Butler and Stellan Skarsgård, set upon Iceland to film Beowulf & Grendel in 2004, they expected the usual complications involved in making a major motion picture. What they encountered was a ruthless Icelandic winter on a foreboding landscape, financing complications and a bizarre run of bad luck that led some of them to believe they were in an epic battle with the Norse gods themselves. Filmmaker Jon Gustafsson was along for the ride. Hired to play one of Beowulfs warriors he is on the set with his camera as the crew battles hurricane force winds and he is in the back room as the producers scramble to shore up a collapsing deal, creating an intimate portrait of filmmakers fighting the odds in pursuit of a vision. If you liked "Lost in la Mancha" or "Burden of Dreams" you will probably like this one. DVD Special Features: 2 hours of bonus features, 1 hour exclusive interview with Gerard Butler, exclusive interviews with producers of Beowulf & Grendel, additional & extended scenes, Subtitles: Icelandic, English, Polish.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Burden of Sturla's Dream!, August 24, 2007

By 

J. Cross "TheMermaidWhoWrites" (Green Mountains) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Wrath of Gods (DVD)

Many MANY years ago, being a dedicated Werner Herzog fan, I went to see the documentary, "Burden of Dreams" which was based on the many trials and tribulations of filming his incredible movie, "Fitzcarraldo" in the jungles of Peru. "Wrath of Gods" could be its Icelandic cousin. There seem to be certain films that fight against their creators. Their directors, crew, and cast must give all they have, and sometimes even a bit more, in order to see their dream realized. Indeed, there are moments during WOGs when the forced smile on director Sturla Gunnarsson's face melts into something sad and desperate; those are among the most beautiful moments in this film, because that sadness and desperation added to the haunting (and I mean that in the most lovely and primal way) beauty of what became "Beowulf & Grendel". There is no happy, storybook ending here; the film did poorly by Hollywood standards, but so what?! The film is ultimately true to the prose, true to the raging, frozen, breathtaking Icelandic landscape where it was filmed, and true to the tale of its anti-hero, Beowulf. It is almost an anti-Hollywood movie, and sometimes, who could ask for more than that? Thank you to the director of "Beowulf & Grendel", Sturla Gunnarsson, to Jon Gustafsson, who filmed its filming, and to the extraordinary cast. Absolutely loved this movie. It has SOUL.

29 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding interview with Gerry!, October 19, 2007

By 

Betty J. Kilgore (Medway, Ohio) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Wrath of Gods (DVD)

I can't believe what I'm seeing...a solid hour interview with Gerry Butler AFTER a grueling workday on the set. I'm amazed at his patience under the visible stress of an aching head and body after braving the Icelandic weather to shoot this revealing documentation. How much more can he do to show his appreciation for the support of his fans worldwide? His behavior speaks volumes about the depth of his character and his commitment to excellence and dedication as an actor. His star is definitely rising and he is indeed 'paying his dues'...he is not afraid to shoulder the tough roles, transforming himself into a character in ways that startle directors and producers alike. When he signs on to play a role they can be assured of this: they will get much, much more than their money's worth from the likes of this humble, towering Scotsman who has his feet planted solidly on the ground and who has restored the grandeur of moviemaking. Don't look for his handsome face in the gossip rags as he's rarely caught up in their sordid stories...he's too mature to get swept up in their tasteless diatribes...he's too busy concentrating on his career to cater to the crowded flashbulbs. The law profession lost an excellent attorney when he set his sights on becoming an actor; can't you just see him in the courtroom making his case summarization! He's stunning in a suit and tie but even better in his preferred 'dressed-down' look of an old tee shirt, old jeans and an old leather jacket - like in THE JURY film...go getum, Gerry. I may be old enough to be his mother, but I can hardly breathe when he's on camera...go figure.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Better than Beowulf! Mother Nature at Her Wildest!, August 20, 2007

By 

Wzlwmn (Fredericksburg, VA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wrath of Gods (DVD)

I liked Beowulf the film in spite of the unpolished, anachronistic script, because of the gorgeous scenery, excellent costume and set work, and good performances by the title characters. For me the best part was Iceland itself; its vistas and its unbelievable weather, and this is where Wrath of the Gods surpasses the film by far. I think it gives insight into formation of the culture when people struggle to survive in such a place. Highly recommended for anyone interested in filmmaking.