Luke McWilliams gives his review of the 2021 Danish historical drama film, Margrete: Queen of the North, directed and co-written by Charlotte Sieling.
In 1402, Margrete (Trine Dyrholm), Queen of Denmark, summons the leading magnates of the kingdoms of Denmark, Norway and Sweden together to Kalmar Castle to witness her adopted son’s betrothal to the daughter of King Henry IV of England in an effort to form a strong military alliance. Soon however, the Queen is advised that her presumed long-dead son is in fact alive and is enroute to the castle!
Before Game of Thrones, The Tudors, The Man in the Iron Mask, Dungeons and Dragons and even Shakespeare was horrible, brutal and bloody European history! Stories of battles for power, love, honour and treachery: nothing is as hard-hitting as the real thing. Through a lot of pain, suffering and struggle, Margrete united the three kingdoms under her rule as the Kalmar Union, successfully bringing a decade of peace. Margrete’s power, however, is derived from her adopted son whom she crowned King of the kingdoms. On the precipice of extending her power further for the protection of her regions, the possible return of her bloodline comes at a precarious time, especially when the King is looking to establish his own independence.
Is the stranger the truthful heir or an imposter, and is his appearance at this particular time just a coincidence?
The cinematography is epic and costumes authentic. Lead Trine Dyrholm is stoic, strong but fallible as she becomes increasingly emotionally conflicted between her responsibilities of her (possible) son and the good of her people.
Verdict: An incredibly intriguing, authentic and brutal historical conspiracy. 4 Stars.
- Luke McWilliams, themovieclub.net
