In the mead-hall of Heorot, the warrior Beowulf answers King Hrothgar’s desperate call as the monstrous Grendel terrorizes the kingdom. A dark epic retelling of the ancient legend — Act One of a planned trilogy.
Review by Julie C. Sheppard:
Revenge is sweet in the animated short, Beowulf: The coming of Grendel. The Old English epic poem Beowulf as its source, this AI-generated film does a superb job creating the atmosphere of the period piece: scenes of rocky terrain by the sea, rough behaviour of raucous men feasting and drinking in front of a roaring fire in the middle of the sturdy wooden hall, and the presence of the old king in elegant robes and crown, and suitably-lined face. Grendel is terrifyingly depicted with a massive body and hideous eyes and teeth. Of course, we are not disappointed by the visuals of the handsome, muscled conquering hero.
This short makes use of impressive sound effects and music, from guttural utterances, surging orchestrals and booming percussion during combat, to wistful refrains of a medieval-style pipe as the king deliberates. Voice artists also deserve a nod here, convincingly able to portray their roles, from noble to brave to beastly. This project provides an excellent introduction to those fascinated by the epic poem Beowulf, a satisfying tale in which both revenge and justice are served.
Festival Reviews 