The western setting has provided a backdrop for all sorts of films, but the traditional revenge story is undoubtedly one that is suited to the style and can utilise the good guy/bad guy stereotypes that are synonymous with the cinematic history of the genre. Adding a Scandinavian flavour to the formula in ‘The Salvation’ is Danish filmmaker Kristian Levring who was one of the pioneers behind the avant-garde movement Dogme 95. The leading man, known only as Jon, is played by fellow countryman Mads Mikkelsen, and his survival chances are left slim to none following events that cruelly take his family away from him. His initial act of vengeance starts an almighty feud with land baron Delarue (Jeffrey Dean Morgan), his henchman The Corsican (Eric Cantona) and the rest of the local community. With his brother Peter (Mikael Persbrandt) his only ally, can he overturn his odds and leave town alive?

Continue reading “DVD review: The Salvation” →