Saturday 14th September 2024
Channel 4 @ 9pm
If there’s one film that makes you feel like you’ve been transported back to a time when Viking warriors roamed the misty fjords, it’s The Northman. Directed by Robert Eggers, this is a film that can only be described as primal. The plot is your classic Viking revenge saga: young Prince Amleth witnesses the brutal murder of his father, and he spends the rest of his life single-mindedly pursuing justice with a level of intensity that makes The Lion King look like a fun romp at a petting zoo. Blood, mud, and an impressive amount of beard are all integral to this savage tale.
But what truly elevates The Northman is its haunting soundtrack, composed by Robin Carolan and Sebastian Gainsborough (also known as Vessel). In keeping with the film’s brooding aesthetic, the music is more of an immersive experience than your traditional orchestral score. It's a fascinating mix of ritualistic rhythms and eerie, otherworldly sounds, which feel as if they’ve been pulled from the mists of Norse mythology. With pounding drums, chanting, and the ominous drone of ancient instruments like the tagelharpa (imagine a Viking with a violin—just, not quite as delicate), the music is designed to seep into your bones and rattle your nerves.
For soundtrack collectors, this is one to get on vinyl, if only for the tactile pleasure of putting on something that feels as ancient as the music itself. While it hasn’t exactly swept up awards (probably because it feels too raw for the mainstream), the soundtrack has been widely praised for its authenticity and the visceral atmosphere it creates. It’s not one you’ll hum along to, but then again, The Northman isn’t exactly a singalong, is it? It’s brutal, unrelenting, and utterly captivating—and its music follows suit.
Paul Allen