Video: 1066, The Battle For Middle Earth

[Chlodovech]

Cool, entertaining Channel 4 documentary, making use of a fictionalized story line to illustrate how the Anglosaxons repelled the Vikings, and then took on the Norman invader, in the fateful year that was 1066.

The action scenes turned out nicely, especially when considering the documentary's budget. As a whole "1066, The Battle For Middle Earth" is crafted in the tradition of the fantasy/epic adventure/medieval/romance movie genre that has been so popular ever since 'Braveheart' appeared onto the scene.

Religion doesn't feature prominently in the doc, however, I'm curious as to whether the Anglosaxons, but first and foremost the Vikings, were already so Christianized that God's name should be evoked more often than Odin's by the actors, which is what happens. Also, ignore the fact that the Anglosaxon's helmets aren't accurately depicted, unless you want to spoil the whole experience.

The Anglosaxons, Vikings and Normans talk only briefly in their native tongue, in the opening scenes, afterwards we have to settle for English - both the Anglosaxons and Viking world feature prominently in the story, but the Anglosaxon perspective dominates.

That being said, if you got the time to watch both parts of the doc, you should.

Moment to look out for (and I quote): When England doesn't bow down to bounty hunters.

Watch Part 1

Crowhurst newlywed Tofi and his farmer friend Leofric are torn from their Sussex homes by the English warrior Ordgar and summoned to defend the English coast from invasion. But while the army of King Harold waits in the south, fierce Vikings set sail from the fjords of the north.

The Vikings land in Cleveland - and annihilate the men of Yorkshire at the Battle of Fulford. Hearing of this surprise invasion, our English fighters are ordered to march 280 miles north to repel the invaders. After an epic trek they meet the Vikings at the Battle of Stamford Bridge. But the Vikings have divided their force - and the English triumph.

It's the end of the Viking age, and Ordgar, Tofi and Leofric have survived. But news soon reaches them that the Normans have landed in Sussex. Their own homes are under attack, so they must run all the way south again to save all that they love.

Watch Part 2

Tofi, Leofric and Ordgar are reinforced by the Viking warrior Snorri as they race south to save Crowhurst and defend England from the Norman invasion.

We meet the Normans - an alien army of men loyal to the ruthless Duke William. Among them, the ruthless Ozouf struggles to command the loyalty of the aristocratic and gentler Coutances, despite the intimidating presence of the tongueless Drogo.

Just outside London, the English fellowship divides. Ordgar and Snorri stay with the dwindling army of King Harold, while Tofi and Leofric set off to rescue the women of Crowhurst. To their horror, they discover that Crowhurst has been destroyed. Stumbling across the captive women and children in the southern forest, they fight off Ozouf and Coutances, rescue Judith and the child Aelf, and take them to safety.

[Renwein]

I can testify these are very worth watching. Norwegian members especially might get a kick out of their 'unstoppable tough warrior badass viking' image in the first part (and the footage is interspersed with historical quotes to justify this portrayal).
BTW, it seemed to me the 'English' cast in this vid was rather 'dark-ish celtic' looking, and the Vikings were somewhat 'big strong UP types'. I had to wonder if this was intentional, or just how things panned out (at least they didn't 'go BBC' on the cast and fill it with ethnics ). Id be interested to see if anyone else gets that feeling.

I'd been meaning to link to this since they aired, but was too lazy

[Svartljos]

I'm pretty sure the Anglo-Saxons were quite christianised by that point in time, I think even a lot of Norse were. Ugh, 1066. Really my least favourite point in English history.

[Chlodovech]

I'm pretty sure the Anglo-Saxons were quite christianised by that point in time, I think even a lot of Norse were.

Absolutely, I was mainly wondering about the raiding/pirating Vikings themselves, not the Scandinavians as a whole - as it's true that the Christianization of Scandinavia was nearing its completion by 1066.

And yes, as Renwein points out, for the Viking adepts (that means: between a quarter and a half of Skadi's population), this documentary promises instant gratification.

[Hersir]

Very nice videos, enjoyed them alot.
Interesting to see battles of the forefathers in video, will send this around

The vikings quote håvamål, but prey to God

[Huginn ok Muninn]

Interesting video. 1066 was indeed a fateful year. Think of how profoundly history would have been changed had Harald Hardrada decided to colonize Vinland instead of York. 10,000 viking warriors slaying every skreling in sight instead of their brethren Saxons, and not dying themselves. The army of Harold Godwinson would not have exhausted itself before the battle of Hastings, and with their amazing performance against the Norse, such a force should easily have handled William.

We would have had a more purely Germanic language and culture in England, and a Norse foothold would have been achieved in North America 1000 years ago. Christopher Columbus would have been met by longships and annihilated.

[Méldmir]

I'm glad they make these kind of historical films, since films are actually one of the best ways to make people aware and proud of their past (if it is a good film).

I'm not sure the Norwegians should be called Vikings, they had probably not so much in common with the earlier Vikings since this was an organized army led by a King, who was out to conquer and not simply to raid (although Vikings conquered sometimes). Also they were Christians.

I wish a really good movie about what happend in 1066 would be made, this documentary is very good but I would like to see more professionalism in the cinematic aspects

What is sad though, is with the current state of society, PC things are often added. I saw that a movie called 1066 is coming next year, and of course it will include a "Saracen woman". Just look at the recent Robin Hood series...

Luckily, this series seemed to have been spared of all that, although I haven't watched it all yet, but I will!

I have to appluad the makers of this series, since they didn't add all that Hollywood Good vs Evil stuff. The Norwegians weren't made to be evil monsters and some were even shown as well-educated, and they were pretty similar to the Anglo-Saxons overall. I'm really interested in the Anglo-Saxon history, and I'll probably buy the Chronicle sometime to read.

[Nordlander]

I think Sticklestad (battle) was in 1030 and Olaf Haraldsson and the christians were pretty soundly defeated even then if I am not correct

Interesting video. 1066 was indeed a fateful year. Think of how profoundly history would have been changed had Harald Hardrada decided to colonize Vinland instead of York. 10,000 viking warriors slaying every skreling in sight instead of their brethren Saxons, and not dying themselves. The army of Harold Godwinson would not have exhausted itself before the battle of Hastings, and with their amazing performance against the Norse, such a force should easily have handled William.

We would have had a more purely Germanic language and culture in England, and a Norse foothold would have been achieved in North America 1000 years ago. Christopher Columbus would have been met by longships and annihilated.

I really like the way you think!Excellent observation