Film Notes: Beowulf and Grendel

I didn't expect to enjoy the Icelandic, Canadian, and British co-production of Beowulf and Grendel (2005) as much as I did, but I did. This bittersweet tale of revenge and the need for understanding not only reminded me of the classic 1950 revenge Westerns of Anthony Mann and Jimmy Stewart but its stark and austere Icelandic settings reminded me of the stark and austere landscapes of Lone Pine in the classic 1950s Westerns of Budd Boetticher and Randolph Scott. Further proof if needed that Westerns are alive and well and living in fantasy and action adventure films these days. Check it out.