The movie The 13th Warrior did miserably in theaters. Based on Michael Crichton's book Eaters of the Dead, the movie version sought to make a Viking adventure, but created a flop instead.
But in one area, it trumped all the odds that were stacked against it.
Herger, the movie's third main character, after Ibn Fadlan (Antonio Bandaras), and Buliwyf (Valdimir Kulich) is played by Norwegian actor Dennis Storhoi. He is the best example of the philosophy of Northmen that I have ever seen portrayed in film, or maybe anywhere else outside of the Sagas.
You may wonder how it is that I know this, or can substantiate it.
I intend to show, with some little Philosophy 101 thrown in, how this is true.
What we must first understand, to lay the groundwork for this argument, is that the Northmen in general believed that the Allfather, or in some cases the Norns (Fates) wove our lives on a skein or tapestry, long before we were ever born. This skein was akin to destiny, or fate. It was, according to them, unchanging, and regardless of how or when it happened, death was predestined and unavoidable.
Herger, in his first real dialogue with Fadlan, makes it plain that this is what he believes, and follows up his explanation with the maxim that he clearly lives his life by; "Fear profits a man nothing".
But it isn't this so much as the shrugging joy with which he faces his inevitable demise.
This is carried throughout the movie. He seems occasionally burdened by the events, but frequently laughs, jokes, and faces the dangers about them with an intentional unconcern.
That is not to say that he is willingly throwing his life away. He hasn't lost hope, or even fallen into a fatalistic motivation or become morbid, or obsessed with death.
He simply isn't worried about it.
Many of his quotes prove this assertion, and, in terms of proving my point, will require a small amount of back story.
In the course of the film, the warriors are in the cave home of the Wendol, their enemy. Though they have been successful in their mission, however, they are unable to return the way they've come. Fadlan discovers a possible way out, but it will require them to swim to their escape. All but Herger and Fadlan have begun the swim, and Herger says, as he gasps to fill his lungs, "The way we'll know is: if they don't follow us, it's too far to swim!" he laughs and plunges into the water.
This apparent fearlessness inspires us, not with reckless abandon, but with unbridled hope. He doesn't know what he will find, but that doesn't keep him from going ahead.
This, day to day minute to minute enjoyment of all aspects of life, seems to be much richer and fulfulling, than our tendency to consider all ways very carefully, and make hesitant baby steps, when we are uncertain, or worse yet, to fail to act at all.
Existentialism suggests, as one of it's more basic principles, that it is this very approach that ruins our lives. With each new moment, comes a new opportunity to live the way we were meant to. To enjoy life to its fullest, requires a certain abandon, that is not pinioned on excessive morals, nor nihilistic self-destruction, but somewhere perfectly between the two.
Somehow we have lost, in general, a sense by which we can both enjoy life, and not feel as though we are being irresponsible about it.
Herger shows us that, regardless of the events, this lifestyle is a chance to make each moment count.
The fact that the majority of us live our lives almost entirely within a network of moral conditions, is irrelevant to this life choice. If anything, it enhances those maxims and codes we live by.
For when we realize, with no doubt or fear, that our lives are on a predetermined course , we have no need to hesitate, or calculate too much what our actions will be.
And of all of the lessons his lifestyle teaches us, the one that sticks out to me is Herger's joy. His moments of gloom in the film are few and short lived. He doesn't mourn for his lost friends, but is happy for them. He is fully in the moment, and does not struggle to keep himself there. He faces each new trial, each new adventure with the same sense of inevitability.
And finally, we see that Herger's faith is not affected or diminished by his attitude.
As the movie closes, he tells Fadlan that he will make prayers for his safe passage home. Fadlan, a Muslim, asks to who he will pray to. Herger answers honestly that in Fadlan's land, one god may suffice, but that Herger and his people need many. His final comment "Do not be offended." resounds through to us now.
This is the final point. Herger is telling Fadlan the most important part of his philosophy. That life, regardless of faith, action or consequence, is precious while we have it, and that while we have it, we have one single requirement. To live joyfully and well.
Fadlan replies that he will be in Herger's debt.
I suggest that, if we adopt the very likely probability that this was the general philosophy adhered to by real Northmen, then we owe a debt of gratitude to this representation in film, of their memories. We owe it to them to adopt Herger's Philosophy.
But in one area, it trumped all the odds that were stacked against it.
Herger, the movie's third main character, after Ibn Fadlan (Antonio Bandaras), and Buliwyf (Valdimir Kulich) is played by Norwegian actor Dennis Storhoi. He is the best example of the philosophy of Northmen that I have ever seen portrayed in film, or maybe anywhere else outside of the Sagas.
You may wonder how it is that I know this, or can substantiate it.
I intend to show, with some little Philosophy 101 thrown in, how this is true.
What we must first understand, to lay the groundwork for this argument, is that the Northmen in general believed that the Allfather, or in some cases the Norns (Fates) wove our lives on a skein or tapestry, long before we were ever born. This skein was akin to destiny, or fate. It was, according to them, unchanging, and regardless of how or when it happened, death was predestined and unavoidable.
Herger, in his first real dialogue with Fadlan, makes it plain that this is what he believes, and follows up his explanation with the maxim that he clearly lives his life by; "Fear profits a man nothing".
But it isn't this so much as the shrugging joy with which he faces his inevitable demise.
This is carried throughout the movie. He seems occasionally burdened by the events, but frequently laughs, jokes, and faces the dangers about them with an intentional unconcern.
That is not to say that he is willingly throwing his life away. He hasn't lost hope, or even fallen into a fatalistic motivation or become morbid, or obsessed with death.
He simply isn't worried about it.
Many of his quotes prove this assertion, and, in terms of proving my point, will require a small amount of back story.
In the course of the film, the warriors are in the cave home of the Wendol, their enemy. Though they have been successful in their mission, however, they are unable to return the way they've come. Fadlan discovers a possible way out, but it will require them to swim to their escape. All but Herger and Fadlan have begun the swim, and Herger says, as he gasps to fill his lungs, "The way we'll know is: if they don't follow us, it's too far to swim!" he laughs and plunges into the water.
This apparent fearlessness inspires us, not with reckless abandon, but with unbridled hope. He doesn't know what he will find, but that doesn't keep him from going ahead.
This, day to day minute to minute enjoyment of all aspects of life, seems to be much richer and fulfulling, than our tendency to consider all ways very carefully, and make hesitant baby steps, when we are uncertain, or worse yet, to fail to act at all.
Existentialism suggests, as one of it's more basic principles, that it is this very approach that ruins our lives. With each new moment, comes a new opportunity to live the way we were meant to. To enjoy life to its fullest, requires a certain abandon, that is not pinioned on excessive morals, nor nihilistic self-destruction, but somewhere perfectly between the two.
Somehow we have lost, in general, a sense by which we can both enjoy life, and not feel as though we are being irresponsible about it.
Herger shows us that, regardless of the events, this lifestyle is a chance to make each moment count.
The fact that the majority of us live our lives almost entirely within a network of moral conditions, is irrelevant to this life choice. If anything, it enhances those maxims and codes we live by.
For when we realize, with no doubt or fear, that our lives are on a predetermined course , we have no need to hesitate, or calculate too much what our actions will be.
And of all of the lessons his lifestyle teaches us, the one that sticks out to me is Herger's joy. His moments of gloom in the film are few and short lived. He doesn't mourn for his lost friends, but is happy for them. He is fully in the moment, and does not struggle to keep himself there. He faces each new trial, each new adventure with the same sense of inevitability.
And finally, we see that Herger's faith is not affected or diminished by his attitude.
As the movie closes, he tells Fadlan that he will make prayers for his safe passage home. Fadlan, a Muslim, asks to who he will pray to. Herger answers honestly that in Fadlan's land, one god may suffice, but that Herger and his people need many. His final comment "Do not be offended." resounds through to us now.
This is the final point. Herger is telling Fadlan the most important part of his philosophy. That life, regardless of faith, action or consequence, is precious while we have it, and that while we have it, we have one single requirement. To live joyfully and well.
Fadlan replies that he will be in Herger's debt.
I suggest that, if we adopt the very likely probability that this was the general philosophy adhered to by real Northmen, then we owe a debt of gratitude to this representation in film, of their memories. We owe it to them to adopt Herger's Philosophy.
No comments:
Post a Comment