Animated Epics: Beowulf (1998) Online

I disagree with the previous reviewer--I feel that this adaptation does an admirable job capturing the feeling of the poem. While it necessarily skips certain sections of the epic (such as tales that are told in the hall) it vividly portrays the main action while preserving many of the poem's actual lines, and a good sense of its sound. I also liked the visuals, which reflect the style of Anglo-Saxon art. Extra points for not taking the easy way out and stopping after the death of Grendel's mother, with Beowulf young and victorious. Showing Beowulf's noble death in old age is critical to staying true to one of the poem's clearest themes: what it takes to be a good king.

Considering how many cinematic versions exist for Beowulf, amazingly enough this 30 minute animated version is about the only one to cover the epic poem correctly. For those desiring to see the poem come to life, this would be the choice. It covers the fight with Grendel and the Dragon most true to the poem. Don't be swayed by golden-covered actresses or Scottish hunks--this animated version swiftly, though a bit surrealistic at times, covers the great monster story. The animation is a bit sketchy and rough at times, but the narration is quite well done. This is an especially helpful version for showing to students or for those wanting a quick version of the classic tale.

I just saw the animated short a few minutes ago for the first time. I say first, because I intend to purchase it. I teach Senior English, and this film is about to become my newest tool. This is an excellent retelling of the Beowulf legend. The story is intact (except for a few of the bits of background), and the surreal animation lends to the storyteller's voice perfectly. The art is just vague enough (except for the arm scene) that it leaves enough to the imagination to still keep the fairy-tale/legend/campfire-story quality of oral tradition.

It kept the monster's body-count high, but the art was mild enough that I didn't mind allowing my six-year old to watch it with me (proof that even a story as violent as this can be told without an abundance of gore).

This is a delightful retelling of the Anglo-Saxon tale, which is set in Denmark and Sweden, and contains nothing English whatsoever, using animated graphics; half narrated, half enacted with the spoken voices of several well-known British actors, including Derek Jacobi and Joseph Fiennes. Quite short, at 27 minutes, it is infinitely more true to the original than the recent productions by Zemeckis and Sturluson. There are no silly interpolated extra characters, sub-plots, or post-modern interpretations of the story's "meaning". The monsters are traditional, shapeless, scary and mysterious. The mead-hall is splendid and magnificent. Beowulf is noble, brave and gentle. All aspects are left unexplained: things just happen and the viewer is free to read whatever interpretation he feels like into the events. Consequently it is really more intellectually stimulating than the big-budget films. Although it is violent, there is nothing distasteful about any of it, and should be suitable for older children as well as adults. I was left wishing it had been longer.

Ever since my third year in University, I have been a fanatical lover of Beowulf. The seventh-century poem has a great hero, an enthralling story, and a group of monsters (Grendel, his mother, and the Dragon) that is still capable of terrifying. While I have seen more than one adaptation of the poem (The 13th Warrior is right now by far the best), this is easily the version that is truest to the subject matter.

This version concentrates on the monster fights, excluding the background stories that are sprinkled throughout the poem; not a surprising move by the scriptwriter, as the many asides would end up scattering the narrative. The story is told simply and quickly, with the characters well represented.

Unfortunately, where the poem had an earthly thrill to it, this film descends into an artfulness that completely destroys the mood. Much of the action is so artistic that it becomes incomprehensible (for example, rather than grappling with Grendel's arm, Beowulf somehow ends up travelling up it), and the animation, rather than being crisp and clean, is rather crude and sketchy. With the surreal feel to the film, anybody who has not nearly memorized the poem in advance is in danger of finding themselves either lost or bored out of their skull.

Final mark: 2.5/5. The story was right, but the spirit of the poem was completely lost in the translation. Sigh...perhaps the next film version of the poem will get it right...