The Last Viking short film

March 14, 2017

UK Film Review

Directed by Philip Stevens

Written by Giles Kristian

Starring Philip Stevens, David Clayton

Short Film Review by Rachel Pullen

I often think what it must have been like 100 of years ago, where entertainment was a story round a fire, where history was kept alive in the same manner, where all that was known was passed on by word of mouth.

This thought crosses my mind often when I am surrounded by people who cannot tear themselves away from their phones in social occasions, who cannot spend five minutes actually listening to one another without some kind of technological stimulation, and before you question whether or not I am hypercritical within my statement, I shall take this moment to reassure you that I, like an Amish person, do not have a smart phone.

We have become a society who can have any information and entertainment at the click of the button, we actually have the world at our fingertips and while that is amazing, I sometimes imagine what it must of felt like to hear a story rather than see it, to connect face to face, to let my imagination play out the words, and I wonder would I feel the same as I do when watching great cinematic masterpieces?

Well I’m sure you can see where this is going and yes, The Last Viking is just that.

We meet Harald Hardrada, played by Philip Stevens, who takes leave from the battlefield to sleep and feast, when suddenly he is awoken by a one-eyed figure, which without saying a word drives Hardrada to regale him with a poetic tale of the battles and triumphs of his life.

This mystery visitor is none other than Odin, who was known as the father of all gods by the Viking’s. As well as this, they believed that those who fought valiantly and bravely would feast with Odin before making their way into Valhalla, and so it is no surprise that our storyteller is breaking bread with him.

His tale is compelling and well versed, and over the crackling fire we are drawn into his story, one of heroic acts, great accomplishments and triumphs.

Director Philip Stevens has taken every detail into consideration to create this atmospheric piece of cinema, since The Last Viking is shot predominately from one angle in the same room, atmosphere plays an important part, and Stevens hits the nail on the head.

The static shot of Hardrada as he tells his story makes you feel as if you too are there, sitting around the fire, hanging on every word he says. This is a bold move in a short film that is essentially one man telling a story on camera, but add in the other effects that have been used and Stevens has created a deeply compelling and engaging stage for this tale to unfold.

Philip Stevens who play’s Hardrada gives an intense performance, but with enough reservation that we believe him to be a great Viking warrior, he allows us to get swept up in his tale, and his delivery of the story is rich in pride and valour.

The Last Viking is an engaging watch but it is simply a tale of a warrior and for those who have no interest in history or Viking warriors will find this a very boring piece of film, but for those who are on the other end of the spectrum this is a must see.

Image Upwards facing close up of the Main character of the short film

- Shows the emotion on the characters face, which shows fear. Perhaps this identifies the genre to be of a thriller/horror nature as the character’s facial expression shows.

- Mise en scene; chain vest shows the character is a Viking, linking to the short film title once again uncovering the films genre. Another aspect of this is the marks on the characters face which could suggest that he has been in a battle.

- Overall I believe this is a good choice in image because it covers two aspects; uncovering the genre and introducing the character. This is as the text links with the image giving the reader a good insight into the film itself and the atmosphere around it.

Language and register Very opinionated piece

- “I wonder would I feel the same as I do when watching great cinematic masterpieces?”“Well I’m sure you can see where this is going and yes, The Last Viking is just that.”These quotes show the reviewer’s opinion on the film as he has labelled it a “cinematic masterpiece” which connotes that this short film is made by the highest standard.

- “tale of a warrior and for those who have no interest in history or Viking warriors will find this a very boring piece of film, but for those who are on the other end of the spectrum this is a must see.”Here the reviewer is brutally honest, creating an idea on what type of person would like this film and if you are not in this bracket then you will not enjoy this film.

Lexis - Repetition of words associated with Vikings such as:

“Tale” “feast” “triumph” “battlefield” “warrior” This shows once again the genre and story as it is a story being told about a Viking. Also this links with the image.

- “Tale is compelling and well versed, and over the crackling fire we are drawn into his story, one of heroic acts, great accomplishments and triumphs.”With use of the Viking lexis again the reviewer creates a very positive representation of the short film with words such as “compelling”

- “This atmospheric piece of cinema, since The Last Viking is shot predominately from one angle in the same room, atmosphere plays an important part, and Stevens hits the nail on the head.”Media specific language to analyse the film, this is positive as the reviewer addresses he film maker to “hit the nail on the head” this lexis choice connotes the director made a perfect film representing the short film positively to the reader.

Register- You feel that the reviewer genuinely thinks this film is a cinematic masterpiece, but his

lexis choice and his audience representation create an ideology to the reader that this is more of an art film. A typical feature of short films but it may suggest it’s not for everyone.

LayoutThe layout of the review is dull and is just text and an image, however break down of paragraphs in the reviews discourse creates a flowing review. It begins not even talking about the film but then it all ties together as the writer introduces context, and his overall opinion of the film.

- The three parts of which I have circled are features of the layout that interest me as firstly before the review you are introduced director, writer, actors and reviewer. This may attract people to read this review as they recognise some of these names. Once again with the “tags” the same thing is done but it also targets shirt film fanatics in general with the tag “short film”

- Another feature of which I circled was the links running down the border of the review as this could give the reader more choice to other reviews on this site.