Release date: August 27, 1999
WHAT'S THE BIG DEAL? Two words: Antonio Banderas. Oh yeah, and this Michael Crichton adaptation has been delayed release for almost two years.
THE CAST
ANTONIO BANDERAS: is quite possibly the best-looking actor on earth, likely to even make this probable suckfest tolerable. Past credits include The Mask of Zorro, Evita, Desperado and Interview With a Vampire.
OMAR SHARIF: Egyptian Oscar-nominated actor with a vast history of historical dramas. Best-known for Laurence of Arabia, but other films include Doctor Zhivago, Ghenghis Khan, and Funny Girl.
DIANE VERONA: Character/Shakespearean actress who has appeared in over 20 films, including two different versions of Hamlet, The Cotton Club and Heat.
THE CREW
MICHAEL CRICHTON: Popular novelist with history of conjuring evil creations (The Lost World, Sphere, Twister, CongoEaters of the Dead from which The Thirteenth Warrior is based. Expect more of the same here. However, the Crichton Rule is that the more words in the title, the better the flick, (Jurassic Park, Rising Sun), so maybe there's hope after all.
JOHN MCTIERNAN: A man of many action films, including Die Hard, Die Hard: With a Vengeance, and Last Action Hero. With Crichton, he directs The Thirteenth Warrior.
OTHER
The Thirteenth Warrior is a Walt Disney Production (lucky them!); the score is composed by Jerry Goldsmith.
THE PREMISE: 10th century Arab Antonio and Viking friends battle cannibalistic creatures.
GOSSIP and USELESS FACTS:
- Originally titled Eaters of the Dead -- and when has changing the name of a best-selling novel ever been a good move? Especially when 1999 movies with 13 in the title tend to blow.
- Delayed release for over a year, including a recent switch from the 13th to the 27th of August, although it has already opened internationally. Has been reshot many a time, and judging from the trailer it hasn't helped any.
LINKS:
Official Site
Definitive 13th Warrior Page
