Film Snail

Ragnarok
Ragnarok

5.7

Ragnarok

NR·2013·93m

Summary

Archaeologist Sigurd Svendsen discovers that the Oseberg ship hides a secret from the Viking Age. Along with his two children put Sigurd out on a quest to find the truth. The mystery leads them into "No Man's Land" between Norway and Russia where no man traveling in modern times. Old runes take on new meaning when the secret they uncover is more frightening than anyone could have imagined.

Crew

Director

Mikkel Brænne Sandemose

Screenplay, Story

John Kåre Raake

Script Consultant

Roar Uthaug

Script Consultant

Tom Gulbrandsen

Script Editor

Harald Rosenløw-Eeg

Script Editor

Ole Gjæver

Story

Martin Sundland

Reviews

Wuchak

Wuchak

February 18, 2023

6

**_An expedition to arctic Scandinavia turns terrifying_**

An archaeologist widower in Oslo believes he has discovered the secret to the myth of Ragnarok from an inscription via the Oseberg ship. He and a colleague form a small expedition to Oksefjorden (Finnmark) in extreme northern Norway where they discover a legendary bottomless lake. Unfortunately for them, something ancient and terrifying seems to dwell there. Will they make it back alive?

Released in 2013, “Ragnarkok,” aka “Gåten Ragnarok” (meaning "The Riddle Ragnarok"), is a Norwegian adventure & creature feature highlighted by awesome remote Scandinavian scenery, some simple Nordic mythology and Cold War relics. There are bits of “The Island at the Top of the World,” “Alien,” “Jurassic Park” and a little “Dragonslayer” (1981).

Unfortunately, the characters are rather bland and at least one story idea is glaringly hackneyed (you’ll know what I mean). Yet Pål Sverre Hagen is goodhearted as the protagonist, Sigurd, and Sofia Helin is winsome enough as Elisabeth, although she coulda been utilized better (not talkin’ ’bout nudity or sleaze).

Shortcomings notwithstanding, there are enough positives to make “Ragnarok” worthwhile for those interested. Like “Jurassic Park,” it’s family-friendly despite the terrifying elements.

The film runs about 1 hour, 36 minutes, and was shot in Norway (including Vikingskiphuset, Oslo, for the museum scenes) and Sweden. The language is Norwegian, but there are subtitles.

GRADE: B-

Media

Status:

Released

Original Language:

Norwegian

Budget:

$6,500,000.00

Revenue:

$3,721,345.00

Keywords

treasure
vikings (norsemen)
ancient history
clue
archaeologist
norse mythology