In the Shadow of the Raven
A returning Icelander is pulled into a brutal clan feud where forbidden love challenges the authority of a powerful bishop’s family.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Brutal
- bleak
- brooding
- visceral
- historical cinema night
- arthouse adventure viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the gripping medieval adventure, rugged Icelandic cinematography, and several performances while finding some dialogue delivery and Reine Brynolfsson’s performance unconvincing.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Trausti becomes entangled in the feud between his family and Erikur's clan after Grim kills Erikur.
Trausti and Isold are attracted to one another while Isold is promised to Hjoerleifur, son of the bishop.
The film was shot against Iceland's spectacular coastline and frames its emotions through a harsh natural environment.
Isold's arranged future is controlled by Hjoerleifur's powerful bishop father and wife.
Films like In the Shadow of the Raven, and why
The Northman
medieval revenge drama with rugged landscapes, clan conflict, and stark emotional intensity
The Duellists
historical adventure built around betrayal, romance, vengeance, and violent power struggles
The Name of the Rose
bleak period thriller combining political intrigue, forbidden attraction, and harsh natural environments
Movie Details
- Director
- Hrafn Gunnlaugsson
- Release Date
- 1988-10-28
- Runtime
- 124 min
- Rating
- 6.2 / 10 (19)
Cast
- Reine Brynolfsson
- Tinna Gunnlaugsdóttir
- Egill Ólafsson
- Sune Mangs
- Kristbjörg Kjeld
- Helgi Skúlason
- Johann Neumann
- Sigurður Sigurjónsson
- Sveinn M. Eiðsson
- Flosi Ólafsson
Common questions
- What is In the Shadow of the Raven about?
- A returning Icelander is pulled into a brutal clan feud where forbidden love challenges the authority of a powerful bishop’s family.
- What is In the Shadow of the Raven like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of In the Shadow of the Raven as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is In the Shadow of the Raven violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in In the Shadow of the Raven as brutal.
- What did critics think of In the Shadow of the Raven?
- Critics broadly praised the gripping medieval adventure, rugged Icelandic cinematography, and several performances while finding some dialogue delivery and Reine Brynolfsson’s performance unconvincing.
- Which films are like In the Shadow of the Raven?
- Films with a similar feel include The Northman, The Duellists, and The Name of the Rose.
- How long is In the Shadow of the Raven?
- In the Shadow of the Raven runs 124 minutes.
