Redbad

REDBAD - TRAILER #1 (2018)
Modern Dutch movie about an old time Dutch dude.

Redbad was the king (or duke) of Frisia from c. 680 until his death in 719. He is often considered the last independent ruler of Frisia before Frankish domination. He defeated Charles Martel at Cologne. Eventually, however, Charles prevailed and compelled the Frisians to submit. Redbad died in 719, but for some years his successors struggled against the Frankish power. - Redbad, King of the Frisians

Mostly it's a movie of guys fighting with swords and people being violently horrible to each other, as is traditional. So, lot's of action. Plus we have definite good guys (the pagans) and definite bad guys (Charles Martel and his Christian soldiers). The movie marries off Redbad's sister to the evil Martel. They lay it on a bit thick. In real life, it was Redbad's daughter who gets married off to Martel's brother.

The marriage was political. I suppose such a marriage could be a hostile relationship, but I would think you would try to make the best of it, being as you are kind of stuck. But people don't always do what they should, sometimes inbred animosity overwhelms any rational control and you get shit like you see here, or on Jerry Springer.

There is one pointless and inexplicable little adventure. Redbad takes his wife and their baby to reconnoiter the castle where his sister is being held. He sees his sister being baptized, but he is surprised by some guards, whom he kills with his mighty sword. He, his wife and child barely escape with their lives. Whiskey Tango Foxtrot?

This scene was in the movie, and the logic is pretty wonderful:

It is said that Redbad was nearly baptised, but refused when he was told that he would not be able to find any of his ancestors in Heaven after his death, since he preferred spending eternity in Hell with his pagan ancestors than in Heaven with his enemies, especially the Franks. - Redbad, King of the Frisians

The movie was supposed to be a great film about a great Dutch hero, like Admiral, but it fails to deliver any more than generic sword fighting entertainment. Okay, it did prompt me to do a little reading.

All the places mentioned are in relatively small portion of Europe.

Redbad Locations

From top to bottom the locations on the map are:

• Heligoland, Redbad retreated here in 697
• Frisia, Redbad's home territory
• Utrecht, area containing Dorestad
• Dorestad, Redbad was defeated by Pepin in 689
• Cologne, Redbad defeated Martel in 714
• Reims, mentioned in the movie.

Redbad lived about a century before King Alfred ruled in Wessex, England (The Last Kingdom).