The Last King is a 2016 Norwegian drama set in a time of civil war where the King’s illegitimate infant son is guarded in secrecy by two men, changing the course of the country’s history.
Who says that only Hollywood can churn out epic historical dramas? This 2016 masterpiece from Nils Gaup is easily on par and in many cases outdoes some of its contemporaries, offering a powerful story and astonishing effects. At a time of savage civil war in a country splitting apart, two clans, the Baglers and the Birkebeins deal in death. The king favors the Birkebeins and in Bagler territory, fathers an illegitimate son, who, when grown could greatly upset the balance of power, so the Baglers want him dead. With that, two incredibly brave men Skjervald (Jakob Oftebro), a farmer with a wife and child, and Torstein (Kristofer Hivju), a trained warrier, take upon themselves to save the baby by any means necessary. You really don’t need any knowledge of Norwegian history to fall right into the incredibly well-made and acted spectacle that features amazing visual effects and a grand story of immense scale. This is raw, energetic entertainment and should not be missed. Read our full review here.
THE LAST WORD
Full of terrific action and following a story seeped in Norwegian lore, this is a great adventure that is very satisfying.
For historians looking perhaps to glean something more in depth about the Norwegian past, this might disappoint as it puts more attention into action than the politics.