MovieChat Forums > The Last Kingdom (2015) Discussion > Danes we're pretty lame

Danes we're pretty lame

posted 9 years ago by cdr-11
6 replies | jump to latest

Compared to how the Norsemen we're portrayed on Vikings. I never really felt that much tension towards the Saxons losing because most encounters with the Danes ended with a win. And they aren't exactly shown as amazing warriors who should be feared (even the village drunk killed a few in the last battle). The only person that kinda lived up to it was Skorpa. I love his look and his mannerisms. Also, it was extremely surprising when he killed Iseult. Ubba had his moments but that's it really.

By the way, the final minutes of the season we're a total cop-out. Guthrum getting baptized all because he thought he lost a battle due to god not being on his side... what? This is a guy who believed his whole life that Odin was the one true god and he converts just like that.

Anyway, love both series. Each have their strengths.

[–] SevenHouses 9 years ago

Actually, Guthrum's conversion was foreshadowed in previous episodes.
I think the most notable scene would be the one with King Edmund as Saint Sebastian. That event sparked Guthrum's interest in Christianity.

"Now, who has the key?"

[–] VGsam 9 years ago

Historically- Guthrum did convert BUT I he did not give up the fight as easily as he did in the show. They didn't show the Saxons pursuing the Danes back to the stronghold, and starving them out.

[–] Kyumonryu 9 years ago

Sorry this just bugs me
We're =/= were

...but they hung him anyway.
Hanged, Ami. Your father was not a tapestry.

[–] xxhelterskelterxx 9 years ago

In real life the Saxons won more battles than the Danes did. It was their ability to show up at any time in their ships that truly made them dangerous. The greatness of Alfred was not his ability to reconquer England, it was his foresight in re-arranging England's defences and navy to counter the Viking threat.

[–] SevenHouses 9 years ago

Thanks to Uhtred! ;p

"Now, who has the key?"

[–] jimprideaux2 9 years ago

You're right the Norsemen are portrayed differently in the two series. I think they are more realistically portrayed in Last Kingdom. The fighting in Vikings is more choreographed, like professional wrestling, and more interesting if you like that kinda thing. I didn't care for all the war paint and the heavily mascaraed Skorpa who, to me, looked like a member of a tribute KISS band.

Regarding Guthrum's conversion I think that was very realistic. The barbarian kings (with their kingdoms having no choice but to follow) converted to Christianity for two reasons. Once they saw the Christian God (or local Saint) as having the power to deliver victory in battle they sought to align themselves with that power to ensure future victories for themselves. I don't think many sat down to figure out which system had a superior theology. Also a strict monotheism is not necessarily implied. Other gods could be admitted in the pantheon with the Christian God being the most powerful.

Secondly, when the barbarian kings moved to being rulers rather than raiders they knew they needed an administrative system where writing an accounting were necessary. The folks knowing how to read and write were the Christian clergy. Guthrum is seen admiring written scrolls in Alfred's library and associates it with the abilities (perhaps unique) of the clergy of the Christian God.