Redbad (2018)

Overview

Redbad is a 2018 Dutch historical epic directed by Roel Reiné, known for his large-scale action and period pieces. The film dramatizes the life of Radbod (Redbad), the 8th-century pagan king of the Frisians, and his struggle against the expanding Christian Franks and their forced conversions across Europe. Blending myth, rebellion, and religion, Redbad offers a cinematic retelling of a lesser-known but significant chapter in European history.

Plot Summary

Set during the early Middle Ages, the film begins with Redbad's betrayal and exile after his father, King Aldigisl, is killed and the Franks tighten their grip on the region. Thought dead, Redbad survives and is taken in by Viking-like tribes. Over time, he rises as a warrior and unites various pagan factions to resist Charlemagne’s Christian conquest.

As Redbad fights to protect his people’s traditions, culture, and freedom, he’s forced to make difficult choices between faith, family, and leadership. The story builds to a violent and emotionally charged clash between paganism and Christianity—between independence and empire.

Main Cast

• Gijs Naber as Redbad

• Jonathan Banks (Breaking Bad) as Pepin of Herstal

• Loes Haverkort as Fenne

• Derek de Lint as Aldigisl

• Egbert Jan Weeber, René Soutendijk, and Aus Greidanus Jr. in supporting roles

Visuals & Production

• Cinematography: Shot in the Netherlands, Denmark, and Germany; stunning landscapes and battle sequences

• Tone: Gritty and dark, with grand historical ambition

• Action: Brutal hand-to-hand combat, large-scale battle scenes, and Viking-style raids

• Score: Epic orchestration enhances the mythic quality of the story

Themes

• Paganism vs. Christianity

• Rebellion and resistance to imperialism

• The clash of cultural identities and belief systems

• Leadership, betrayal, and destiny

Reception

• Domestic Performance: Mixed. The film underperformed at the Dutch box office despite a large budget, but found a second life internationally via streaming platforms.

• Critics: Mixed to negative. Praised for ambition, visuals, and action, but criticized for pacing, historical liberties, and overlength.

• Audience Response: Appreciated by fans of medieval war epics and Norse-themed historical dramas.

Final Verdict

Redbad is a bold and visually striking historical epic that dives deep into a formative but largely forgotten period in European history. While not flawless, it delivers enough gritty action, mythic storytelling, and political tension to satisfy fans of medieval dramas like The Last Kingdom, Vikings, or Kingdom of Heaven.