Nameja gredzens (2018) Reviews

• OK movie, but 10 years late.

  Sergei_Maruk2018-02-21

  I like the idea to make a movie about baltic tribes during crusades. There are a lot of interesting traditions and events to explore. I can feel that The Pagan King wants to be a movie that will introduce the world with Baltic culture and land of Semigallia. However, they put too much accent on showing traditions instead of focusing on characters or plot. The best example is wedding scene. This scene gives us 0 new information about characters. They love each other- we already know it, but what else? We learned how pagan weddings looked like. Well... ok. Characters are living stereotypes. Bad guy wants to rule this land just because he's bad. Good guys doesn't want to allow him, because he's good. First half of the movie tries to rush all the action without actually introducing us to the characters and as a result there is lack of connection between character and viewer. Plausibility. I can't believe in this world and actions. Movie budget wasn't great and this fact affected overall movie quality. There are few locations: village, swamp, castle and few more. Village, which is one of the most important locations looks really small and artificial as well as crusader ship- it simply cannot transport so many crusaders. Visual part of the movie is great. Camera angles and views are well chosen and gives me a feeling of high quality work, especially during fighting scenes. Fight on the sand beach is amazing. Sand and blood is an amazing combination, wish there would be more of that. There are a lot of dynamics and fighting scenes feels natural.... except last one. Fight scene in the swamp with fog and smoke looks unrealistic. Smoke takes over battleground too fast and it feels empty. Film editing makes it even worse, when they show same action with rolling fireballs from different angles all over again during battle. Overall, The Pagan King gives me feeling of a good movie which struggles because of low budget and poor script. I would recommend to watch this movie if you are interested in old traditions and cultures, otherwise - you can skip it, won't miss anything.

• The Ring Cycle

  lavatch2018-11-03

  Semigallia is a historical region in the area of modern Latvia and Lithuania. The so-called Ring of Namejs is a symbol of Latvian independence, friendship, honesty, bravery, and personal freedom. "The Pagan King" (Nameja gredzens) draws upon the legend of the ring for a violent action film, yet fails to closely place the story in its historical context. The era depicted is linked to the high point of the order of the Teutonic Knights, a group of warrior-monks that began in the Crusades in the Middle East and eventually settled in northern Europe in the Baltic region in which the film is set in the thirteenth century. But no attempt is made to depict how the Catholic knights were fighting for Latin Christendom at a time when Eastern Orthodoxy was infusing Eastern Europe. Rather, the focus is on Max, the illegitimate son of a pope, who wishes to conquer a pagan culture in Semigallia for reasons of personal greed and power. Standing in the way of Max is the hero Namejs and his beloved queen Lauga. Along with a brave band of Semigallian warriors, they stand up to Max in the name of freedom and for the preservation of their homeland. Early in the film, Namejs recognizes the strange conduct of the papal ambassador Max, who is making illogical alliances with the local pagans and does not seem interested in missionary work of spreading Christianity. The story turns into a melodramatic action film of good (the Semigallians) versus evil (the nefarious Max). The film was handsomely photographed with great scenery of the forests, lakes, and swamps of Northern Europe. But this was primarily an action picture with a series of violent battle sequences. There was an effort to develop the mythical significance of the ring which invests not only power, but freedom and the responsibility of the individual, for discovering one's own path in life. While energetically and enthusiastically performed by a competent acting company, the film never rose above the level of a gritty, medieval action flic.

• Remind me about where I am from

  lailamasa2018-11-17

  Good movie! Movies isn't correct history, but it gives a look on freedom fight of my nation's. Finally it takes 700 years and only 100 years ago we can establish our own country and also after we have so much trouble but now we are free and I hope Namey's and another heroes fight makes a sence to get a freedom.

• Blown expectations!

  losdolor2018-09-27

  So much hate for a movie that was shot in just 47 days with a budget of 2,000,000 EUR. I say good job. I am glad that I watched this movie. You will also be introduced to the pagan traditions and their 'way of thinking' so to speak. :)

• meh

  jimmyjoe5832019-01-23

  Prince Valiant of the Baltic. Nice try but no depth in the acting corps and terrible writing.