Prince of Jutland Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A prince whose dad gets killed by his uncle decides the best way to seek revenge is to act really, really crazy, but it turns out he’s just following the original story before Shakespeare made it all angsty and everyone died dramatically.

🍿 Prince of Jutland: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Usurpation

Set in 6th-century Denmark, the story centers on Prince Amled, whose father, King Hardvendel, is murdered by his own brother, Fenge. Fenge quickly seizes the throne and marries the widowed Queen Geruth, Amled’s mother.

Amled’s Feigned Madness

Knowing his uncle is responsible and that he is in danger, Amled begins to feign madness. He acts erratically and speaks in riddles, hoping to be perceived as harmless and avoid Fenge’s suspicion while he plots his revenge.

Tests and Exile

Fenge and his advisors are wary of Amled and attempt to test his madness. They devise various traps to see if his erratic behavior is genuine. When these fail to fully convince them, Amled is eventually sent away, ostensibly to England.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Amled (Christian Bale): The prince who feigns madness while plotting revenge against his uncle for murdering his father and seizing the throne.
• Fenge (Gabriel Byrne): The treacherous brother of the king who commits regicide and marries the widowed queen to take power.
• Geruth (Helen Mirren): The widowed queen who marries her husband’s murderer, her brother-in-law Fenge.
• Hardvendel (Tom Wilkinson): The king of Jutland and Amled’s father, whose murder by his brother Fenge drives the plot.
• Ethel (Kate Beckinsale): Amled’s love interest and eventual wife.
• Ribold (Steven Waddington): One of Fenge’s supporters and henchmen who opposes Amled.
• Aethelwine (Brian Cox): A key supporting character who is portrayed as a rare good guy role for the actor, potentially an ally.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Amled: “I’m in my right mind, I always have been.” – Amled asserts his sanity to his mother, Geruth, after feigning madness for years to plot his revenge.
• Amled: “And you mother? What have you done?” – Amled confronts his mother about her actions and complicity following his father’s murder.

💰Box Office

• Budget: Unknown
• Domestic Gross: Unknown
• Worldwide Gross: Unknown

💥 Prince of Jutland Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I watched ‘Royal Deceit’ because I saw that cast list – Christian Bale, Helen Mirren, Gabriel Byrne, even baby Andy Serkis! I knew it was supposed to be the ‘real’ Hamlet story, not Shakespeare, and I was curious. It’s definitely *not* a big Hollywood epic. Some of the fight scenes felt a bit low-budget, honestly, almost like a historical re-enactment society got involved. But seeing Bale act ‘mad’ in his early career was interesting, and the landscape shots were beautiful. Helen Mirren and Gabriel Byrne did what they could with the script, which wasn’t the most poetic. I liked seeing how different the story is from the Shakespeare version – it feels more like a straightforward Viking saga than a psychological drama. It’s a bit uneven, and probably not for everyone, but if you’re a fan of the cast or the history behind Hamlet, it’s worth checking out as a cinematic curiosity. Just make sure you find a longer cut if you can!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of historical dramas and Viking sagas”
  • “Viewers interested in the original story behind Hamlet”
  • “Fans of Christian Bale, Helen Mirren, or Gabriel Byrne (especially interested in early career work)”
  • “Those who appreciate low-budget or independent historical films”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence (portrayed brutally at times)”
  • “Nudity (male and female)”
  • “Mature themes (regicide, betrayal, revenge)”

Professional Reviews

• Indie Film Digest: “Gabriel Axel’s take on the Amleth legend boasts an incredible cast on the cusp of stardom, including Bale, Mirren, and Byrne. While the premise—exploring the source material for Hamlet—is intriguing, the execution often feels constrained by its modest budget. The script is functional rather than poetic, and some scenes lack polish. Yet, for fans of the actors or historical dramas, there are moments of genuine interest despite its flaws. It’s a curious, low-key historical piece.
• Historic Cinema Monthly: “Attempting a grounded, realistic portrayal of the Norse legend that inspired Hamlet, ‘Royal Deceit’ succeeds more in concept than consistent execution. The period detail is commendable, favoring authenticity over grandeur. However, dialogue can be clunky, and directorial choices occasionally hinder the talented ensemble, including strong turns from Bale and Byrne. It’s a film best appreciated by those interested in the historical roots of the story, willing to overlook production limitations for the sake of the source material.

Audience Reactions

Seeing a stacked cast of future stars in an early, unconventional project.: Viewers appreciated the cast and the attempt to tell the original Amleth story instead of Shakespeare’s version, finding it an interesting historical curiosity.

Debating which cut of the film is superior or even watchable.: Many found the production values, script, and direction weak, often describing fight scenes as amateurish and acting as wooden despite the talent involved.

Overall Consensus: A divisive historical drama primarily notable for its impressive early cast and its attempt to adapt the original Amleth legend rather than Shakespeare’s Hamlet, though opinions vary widely on its success due to production quality and script issues.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “This film marks the theatrical movie debut of actor Andy Serkis, who would later become famous for his motion capture roles like Gollum and King Kong.”
• “The original Danish title is ‘Prince of Jutland’, and the US VHS release titled ‘Royal Deceit’ was heavily cut down to 85 minutes, notably removing the opening scene depicting the King’s murder.”
• “Director Gabriel Axel included a personal dedication in the crazy credits, thanking his mother for introducing him to and teaching him to love the ancient chronicles that inspired the film.”
• “A notable goof occurs where a significant cut wound on Fenge’s arm disappears completely by the next day’s sauna scene.”

🖥️ How to Watch Prince of Jutland?

Discover where to watch ‘Royal Deceit’ (also known as ‘Prince of Jutland’). Availability may vary across major streaming platforms such as Prime Video, Apple TV, and others. Check digital rental or purchase options on services like Amazon, Vudu, or Google Play. Physical media (DVD/VHS) releases also exist, which can sometimes be found through online retailers or specialty stores. Always verify current streaming rights and availability in your region.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Prince of Jutland, you might like these similar films:

• Hamlet (1996): A direct comparison as it is a highly-regarded full-text adaptation of Shakespeare’s play, which was inspired by the same Amleth legend.
• The Northman (2022): Explicitly connected as a modern, large-scale film adaptation also based directly on the legend of Amleth, focusing on a brutal Viking revenge epic.
• Braveheart (1995): Shares the thematic focus on historical revenge against a usurping power, set in a gritty, period-accurate (though often debated) world with large-scale conflict.
• Kingdom of Heaven (2005): Stars Christian Bale in a period setting (Director’s Cut recommended) and explores themes of honor, duty, and conflict in a historical epic context.
• Valhalla Rising (2009): A cult classic offering a very grim, minimalist, and visually striking take on Viking themes and brutal journeys, appealing to fans seeking a stark historical adventure.

🛒 Prince of Jutland Related Products

• The Northman (Blu-ray or 4K UHD): A visceral, action-packed Viking revenge epic also based on the legend of Amleth, starring Alexander Skarsgård, Nicole Kidman, and Ethan Hawke. Directed by Robert Eggers.
• Saxo Grammaticus: The History of the Danes (Books I-IX): A translation of the medieval Latin work Gesta Danorum by Saxo Grammaticus, which contains the original tale of Amleth (Amlethus), the direct inspiration for ‘Royal Deceit’ and Shakespeare’s Hamlet.
• Hamlet (Folger Shakespeare Library Paperback): The famous tragedy by William Shakespeare that adapted the Amleth legend into its most well-known form. Features notes, essays, and modern text alongside the original.
• Viking History: A New History of the Norse People: An accessible book exploring the actual history, culture, and daily life of the Vikings, providing context for the setting and characters depicted in ‘Royal Deceit’.

🎧 Soundtrack

Prince of Jutland features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Original Score” – performed by Per Nørgård

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Brian Cox KNEW Prince of Jutland Would Bomb 💣🎬 | Kate Beckinsale’s Hilarious Set Stories #movie

Curious what actors really think while making a movie? Apparently, Brian Cox had a hilarious, and surprisingly accurate, premonition about ‘Prince of Jutland’ bombing, and Kate Beckinsale spills some funny set secrets about it – seriously, this behind-the-scenes peek is gold!

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