Product ReviewsPathfinder (DVD, 2007)

A Viking Fantasy with roots in history?

I'm a traditional type, so when I see movies with a premise like this (Viking raiders plundering the new world centuries before it was actually 'discovered') I'm aware that it will take a flight of fancy in order to immerse myself in the story.

My biggest beef is with the movie's pacing; when you see the previews you get the sense that this is an action piece, but if so- its a little light on the action. I don't know, maybe I just expected too much.

There are some inconsistencies which probably should not matter as it is a movie, but it bothered me nonetheless. For instance, how does a young Viking lad, left behind by his steading and adopted by the indigenous tribes (Native Americans), manage to use a sword which he has not handled since he was a child, using techniques similar to what the returning invaders used? He fought well armed and armored warriors using only this sword (which looked SIMILAR to a Viking blade) - you could attribute it to dumb luck until you realize that he's decimated a number of them singlehandedly and you're sitting there like, what the hell?

There is a lot of mystique tied to the Native Peoples and I know the director was shooting for that but what he ended up with was a stoic lead man who was sort of pigeonholed into this character. If you're a fan of Karl Urban (Lord of the Rings, Doom, Bourne Supremacy) then you'll want to watch this movie- he does have screen presence, they just didn't develop his character- in a way that I would've found to be equitable.

I did like how the Natives spoke in English (you as the viewer are led to understand that what you're hearing is the translation of their language) and the raiders spoke...something else. I'm no linguist but it sounded like a cross between German and some other language for which I'm not familiar, but it was an interesting little bit nonetheless.

So, in wrapping up- this was a decent movie, with a fantasy element that is supposedly rooted in history somewhat (it is purported by this movie that the basis comes from a legend that Viking raiders had plundered and settled in Newfoundland circa 1000AD which would make it almost 500 years before Christopher Columbus stumbled upon it) - but it does nothing for the movie. Worth watching? You bet. In my library? Check. Watch it again? MAYBE.Read full review...

artistic quality film, but not for the faint of heart

A couple of weeks ago, browsing the cable channels.. I'd clicked on Pathfinder (Vikings brutalizing Indians) which didn't really appeal to me at the time but once I started watching I could not look away.
Should be rated XXX for violence and graphic depiction of slaughter, however, it was amazingly filmed and the story line, even though fictional, probably had more than enough basic truth to it.
Synopsis, a lone surviving Nordic boy is rescued from a wrecked Viking ship by a native American woman and raised by the tribe. His adulthood is troubled by visions of his past and his destiny among the natives unfolds as the next wave of violent marauders return to destroy their people and way of life.
The filming and costumes were amazing.
(Frank Frazetta fans gather round)
More detail than any of the mainstream films and the dark lighting through much of it set the tone of dread and on the reverse, enhanced the beauty of the landscape.
Warning of graphic.. and I mean- GRAPHIC- violence, but to truly depict this type of carnage with the use of historically brutal weapons I don't know how a serious director could veer to the lighter side if they wanted to create the dark art that Pathfinder became at the final cut.
proud to have it in my collection- but will only break it out for the pirates and ne'er do wells that would appreciate it.Read full review...

Great Movie

Pathfinder is a great movie it’s a very good story and that story is very well acted by all the players in the movie!! Karl Urban is a talented actor, also Moon Bloodgood is a spectacular actress!!

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: cm2_sean

Pathfinder (2007) DVD

This was an excellent premise for a story, but many inconsistencies for the times depicted. Horses are not the Nordic breed, a dog more domestic AKC Benji, than the dingo-ish breeds available (that were more food source than pet) and kills with a broad sword that smoothly and effortlessly pierced armor and heavy furred skins specifically designed to thwart blades. The appearance of a white Arabian horse, more than probably 700 years prior to Spanish reintroduction (whom evolved into Mustangs vs Arabian) was a puzzle. Hmmm.

If you could suspend your disbelief and incredulity (Russell Means again as a chef--is this sterotypical?) and people of the dawn (aka Passamaquoddy indigenous to the Maine, New England coastal areas)so why the Rocky Mountains they climbed so blithely , then it was an interesting movie for costume and plot.

The DVD arrived well packaged and played flawlessly, many thanks to the Ebay seller curiousgoodsoddthings (1504Feedback), whom I have tagged as one of my favorite A+++ vendors.Read full review...

its dances with wolves but with a happy ending

exciting battles. beautiful unconquered region. hero uses his courage & genius tactics to defeat evil vikings. zero depth to the vikings= cardboard villains.

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: jimmyzakaspidey

Too much hype

This movie could have done worse or better depending on the hype and praise that was surrounding you. For me friends was standing in line for a great amount of time just to be one of the first to see it. Ok, I was amoung them as well and the hype that was being pushed made me expect way more than the movie showed, so this at the end didnt please me as I thought it would. However, on the flip side the action scenes was highly graphic (loved it), no bar hold was held back. All I can say is gore gore gore...Read full review...

Pathfinder dvd movie

I thoroughly enjoyed this fast action movie. It had good acting, good writers and was interesting

Great Entertainment

This is one of those films, that many are taking too seriously. Pathfinder is a fun popcorn action flick, no more no less. I can't believe how some people were expecting a history lesson from this. What you see is what you get, ninety nine minutes of pure violent action.

Karl Urban is great as Ghost and the excellent Russell Means, also provides major support as the wise Pathfinder.

Leave your brain at the door, sit back, relax and have fun. If you want a history lesson watch something else. If you want to be entertained for an hour and a half, watch Pathfinder.Read full review...

Vikings are lot more intersting than this......

Viking lore, it rocks, read up especially fi you're a history nut like I am. that being said - this movie bites in the sam extreme that Pulp Fiction is a masterpiece.

Worst movie i've ever seen hands down. Utter garbage. If you have read any viking lore, know a shread of history this movie will give you an anurism of frustation, inaccuracies, etc etc. Go read a book, watch some paint dry, anything else is more productive and enjoyable than watching this movie. No cool fights, no real story. The only thing this movie had was a deceptively cool trailer. If someone says:

"Hey, lets go watch Pathfinder!"

Your response should be:

"Sorry, got some breathing to do, may even contemplate the carpet for a bit."Read full review...

Pathfinder

A thousand years in the past, a young Norse boy is left behind after his clan shipwrecks on the Eastern shores. Despite his lineage, the boy is raised by the very Indians his kinsmen set out to destroy. Now, as the Vikings return to stage another barbaric raid on his village, the 25 year-old Norse warrior wages a personal war to stop the Vikings' trail of death and destruction. Forging his own path, his destiny is revealed and his identity re-claimed. This is a great movie. This movie is about belonging and forgiveness were very moving, and the action/adventure scenes are excellent. There is very little dialogue and the characters come through in the eyes of the actors. If you can sit still for something a little more serious, you'll be rewarded.Read full review...