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.
8 Reviews
Great (although somewhat mild) interpretation
csenix11 June 2004
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).
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).
An Animated Epic
LuiJC3 October 2020
I watched this film because of my studies on Beowulf in high school. This is the first adaptation of this Old English epic I have seen. I was pleasantly surprised. Animated Epics: Beowulf is a high-quality television movie. I quite liked the animation, although, in principle, it was nothing revolutionary. I was impressed by the sound design, which perfectly expresses individual emotions (fights with monsters). Creativity could be found more or less in all aspects, I also very much appreciate the set of the film from a historical point of view. The harsh, period atmosphere of the 6th century was intimately portrayed here. Another plus is that the film can nicely summarize the whole heroic epic in 27 minutes and the viewer has the experience. I think he will be appreciated more by people who are more interested in Beowulf, as there are also a few references to the text itself. The Russian-American-British film was a pleasant surprise and an interesting form of epic adaptation of this most important work of Old English literature.
Bravo
kphilbin-18 January 2005
Warning: Spoilers
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.
English 3 11th
joysabrinastx19 December 2022
My review won't be long but the animation was good. The animation added more emotion to the actual poem. The difference is that you actually have a visual guide through the poem now. I rated this a 7 because I don't care for the monster part of the story, but the type of animation used portrayed a specific style that high lighted the Anglo-Saxon theme. They also had good sound effects and the emotion was played well through the voice actors. Sometimes I would prefer to watch the animation over the poem, however I believe the book was better. But I would consider recommending this to a person who likes mostly visuals and the summary of a story.
Best Introduction to Old Scandinavian Epic
eyesour27 December 2012
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.
A good effort, but not enough...
Robert-1321 May 2001
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...
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...
A decent, but flat adaptation
Rectangular_businessman25 May 2023
Warning: Spoilers
A correct, mostly faithful adaptation of the original poem that does not deviate too much from the source material with only some rather minor omissions.
It has a decent animation and voice acting, but it is also kinda dull. Not terribly boring in any way, but it was mostly forgettable. Considering how much visual creativity allows animation as a medium, is kinda disappointing the filmmakers chose to depict Grendel and his mother as some sort of Swamp Thing creatures.
Say what you want about the Robert Zemeckis version, but at least his take on Grendel was far more interesting, depicting him as horrifying, yet pitful abomination instead of the non-entities used here.
This version will definately will satisfy more the purists, but is mostly unremarkable otherwise.
It has a decent animation and voice acting, but it is also kinda dull. Not terribly boring in any way, but it was mostly forgettable. Considering how much visual creativity allows animation as a medium, is kinda disappointing the filmmakers chose to depict Grendel and his mother as some sort of Swamp Thing creatures.
Say what you want about the Robert Zemeckis version, but at least his take on Grendel was far more interesting, depicting him as horrifying, yet pitful abomination instead of the non-entities used here.
This version will definately will satisfy more the purists, but is mostly unremarkable otherwise.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
