FILMEX REVIEWS

‘WHEN THE RAVEN FLIES’

Iceland, 1984, 108 minutes . 2:30 and 9:30 p.m. If you can imagine what a Viking saga might look like directed by spaghetti Western veteran Sergio Leone, then you have a fair idea what’s in store in this lively Icelandic movie. Essentially a tale of revenge, the film gallops along administering its own brand of creative justice in a dazzling fashion complete with sweeping images and an epic score. Writer-director Hrafn Gunnlaugsson creates a stark, vivid environment quite unlike Hollywood’s vision and weaves in a mythic quality to the action. His broad canvas quite easily embraces the story’s essential violence and a unique quality of black comedy.

RECOMMENDED.