The 13th Warrior

Factual error: When Wulfgar, the little boy, speaks you can tell he is using modern southern Norwegian language. At that time that language didn't exist. Also the old man's translation is far off. (00:09:25)

Mortug

Factual error: The clothing and most noticeably the armour of the Viking warriors is a very higgledy piggledy collection of dress from different places and times in history. Only Buliwyf actually seems to be wearing armour of Viking origin, some of the others have Spanish Conquistador armour and helms from centuries after the film is set and another wears a Roman gladiator's helm complete with face mask, another of the group is seen to be wearing a kilt (the redhead conveniently played by one of the two Scottish actors used as Vikings)which may well have been worn concurrently by their celtic neighbours but his kilt is quite modern in design.

Factual error: The Vikings follow the Norse religion, and make several references to it throughout the movie. But when waiting for the first Wendol attack, Herger states "The All-Father wove the skein of your life a long time ago". In Norse mythology, the All-Father (Odin) did not weave the skein of life, the Norns did.

Twotall

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Suggested correction: The movie takes place in the 900s AD, and Norse myth wasn't put in writing until centuries later with the Prose Edda in 1220. Prior to that, it was spread through oral tradition; who's to say the details didn't change/update in the retelling over the next couple of centuries?

Continuity mistake: When the guy throws the second shovel of dirt on the red haired man, only his lower part of the back gets dirty. Two shots later the dirt is all up his back. (00:45:00)

Mortug

More mistakes in The 13th Warrior

Buliwyf: I have only these hands. I will die a pauper.
King Hrothgar: You will be buried as a king.
Buliwyf: A man might be thought wealthy if someone were to draw the story of his deeds, that they may be remembered.
Ahmed Ibn Fahdlan: Such a man might be thought wealthy indeed.

More quotes from The 13th Warrior

Trivia: The story of this film is basically a retelling of the story of Beowulf and Grendel. Buliwyf is Beowulf, the Wendol are Grendel, King Hrothgar is of course himself. Ahmed Ibn Fahalan was added to lend the story historical credence as Ahmen Ibn Fahalan really did travel north from Baghdad and encountered Viking men.

More trivia for The 13th Warrior

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