The Last King (also known as Birkebeinerne)

This Norwegian historical adventure dives straight into the chaos of civil war-era Norway in the early 1200s. It follows two warriors, Torstein and Skjervald, as they risk everything to protect an infant heir to the throne during a bitter winter. I was immediately pulled in by the snowy landscapes and the energy of the chase — the film opens with tension, and doesn’t slow down much from there.

What really stood out for me was the sense of authenticity in the environments. The cinematography makes great use of Norway’s frozen wilderness — you feel the bite of the cold, which adds a physicality to both the danger and survival elements. There are some genuinely kinetic ski-chase sequences, which aren’t something you see too often in historical dramas. Visually, it’s a treat if you like rugged, immersive period settings.

The story itself is straightforward, mostly focusing on loyalty, fatherhood, and the cost of war. It’s not trying to be a sweeping epic with dozens of political threads; instead, it feels smaller and more intimate, which I actually liked. The relationship between the two guardians and the little heir pulls the emotional weight.

If I have a gripe, it’s that the characters beyond the main pair aren’t as fleshed out as they could be. Some of the villains and political figures are pretty one-note, and a couple of the plot turns felt telegraphed. But overall the film leans into adventure and momentum rather than twists, so it didn’t bother me too much by the end.

You would enjoy this if you like historical adventures with a brisk pace, stunning winter visuals, and don’t mind subtitles (it’s in Norwegian). For fans of movies like The Revenant or The Eagle, but with a tighter focus on a particular episode in Scandinavian history.