Evil breeds pain.|Nov. 05, 2007|United States | United Kingdom|115 Min.|PG-13
Genre: Action;Adventure;Animation
Description: The 2007 film “Beowulf” follows the epic journey of the legendary Geatish warrior, Beowulf, as he travels to Denmark with his loyal band of soldiers, including his close friend Wiglaf. They are summoned by King Hrothgar, who seeks a hero to defeat Grendel, a monstrous and cunning creature that has terrorized his kingdom. Grendel’s brutal attacks during a celebration in the mead hall, Heorot, have left many of Hrothgar’s warriors dead. Upon arriving, Beowulf develops an attraction to Hrothgar’s wife, Queen Wealtheow, who shares his interest.
To lure Grendel out, Beowulf and his men hold a celebration in Heorot. When the creature attacks, Beowulf faces him unarmed and naked, seeking an even fight. During the battle, Beowulf discovers Grendel’s hypersensitivity to sound and damages his eardrum. Grendel, now weakened, escapes only after Beowulf severs his arm, leaving him mortally wounded. In gratitude for freeing his kingdom, Hrothgar gifts Beowulf a golden drinking horn, symbolizing his victory over the dragon Fafnir.
Grendel’s mother, enraged by her son’s death, vows revenge. She invades Heorot and slaughters Beowulf’s men while they sleep. Hrothgar informs Beowulf and Wiglaf that the attack was carried out by Grendel’s mother, the last of the Water Demons. Hrothgar’s advisor, Unferth, offers Beowulf the legendary sword Hrunting to defeat her. Beowulf and Wiglaf journey to the demon’s cave, where Beowulf encounters her in the form of a seductive, gold-covered woman. Unable to kill her with Hrunting, Beowulf succumbs to her promises of kingship and a son to replace Grendel, sealing their pact with a kiss.
Upon his return to Heorot, Beowulf presents Grendel’s head and claims to have killed the demon. He embellishes the story, stating he left the sword in her body and lost the golden horn in the battle. In private, Hrothgar questions Beowulf’s truthfulness, revealing that he too was once seduced by the demon, and Grendel was their offspring. Hrothgar declares that what matters most is the end of Grendel’s curse, freeing him from its burden.
Cast director: Robert Zemeckis
Cast actor: Ray Winstone, Angelina Jolie, Anthony Hopkins, John Malkovich, Robin Wright, Brendan Gleeson, Crispin Glover, Alison Lohman, Paul Baker, John Bilezikjian
Original name: Beowulf