I am biased because this is my all time favorite movie (it has to do with the nostaligia of seeing this as a kid), but this is what makes this movie so refreshing, even when watching it today; and what makes it so great. I used to watch this movie with my pops all the time when I lived at home, and still do when I go back. It's sort of our family movie.
First of all, the language. If you have ever been or are interested in the languages of the world, and how they came about, you'll undoubtedly like this movie for those such attributes, if not anything else. This is a historicaly set movie, based in the 10 century, a time still in the remnants of the once great Roman Empire. We can definetly see this played out. For instance, theirs one scene early on in the movie where Ibn (Antonio Banderas) and his mentor (played by Omar Sharif) are in the main tent of the vikings, lead by Buliwyf (played by Vladimir Kulich, a hugely underworked actor in my opinion). Ibn and his mentor of course speak Arabic. They hail from ancient Baghdad, and are both academics and cultured in a time when few in the western world were. In order to understand the vikings, Ibn learns what is being said through his mentor, who in turn talks in Latin to one of the vikings who understands Latin, and in turn he tells them what is currently being spoken in the Norse language. The way that McTiernan and Chrichton organize this scene is culturally infusing, to say the least. We are treated with this realistic rendition of ancient travelers speaking to each other, using the semi-wordly and understood language of the Roman Empire to converse. This language pattern is seen throughout the movie, notably in another few scenes where Ibn traveling with his new found Viking companions, and he learns their language throughout the duration of their trip. The way that the words and phrases are transitioned during one scene around a campfire from Norse to the language that Ibn understands (Arabic, but we hear it as English) is just outstanding.
So I know I've spent a long time talking about just that one aspect of the film, but I felt it was really crucial to the film. It contributes to the realism, and we can see it in the battle sequences too. Ibn is transformed from a pacific diplomat to a warrior, through the sheer emencity of being placed in immediate danger when battling the "Vendo." This enemy leaves a good amount to the imagination of who they really are, and who they could be if we were to place a historical reasoning to them (some have said Neanderthall ancestors, or just a primitive culture of people who didn't assimilate into the Norse identity). Whichever the case, they are a formidable enemy who at first don't seem human. The movie builds this suspense and you are with Ibn all the way throughout the movie, feeling his fear. You also feel the security and steadfastness that his viking companions excude when he is around them. Ibn is unsure, not confident in himself but the vikings who he is with, especially Buliwyf and Herger. Herger, especially, grows a certain friendship with Ibn. He seems to always maintain a cautious laughter about him, reasuring Ibn with casual and blunt responses to Ibn's particular questioning. Further, in concordence with Ibn finding his "inner warrior" (hence the name The 13th Warrior), Ibn constructs a scimitar out of his norse given broad sword. Okay, I'm 20 years old and have been seeing this movie for like 10 years now, and that is awesome, to say the least, even now when I watch it after so many times.
The music, composed by Jerry Goldsmith, I believe is one of his great works, something that we are glad to have from him before he died. It's standard historical action-fare in some parts, sure, but the melody of the theme just captures the spirit of adventurism. Theirs also great influence seen with Arabic themes (sitars / guitars) in the music, mixed and matched with the Nordic feel.
The movie flows really, really well. Theirs a side story with the king's son somehow wanting to take power and challenging the Viking troupe. The whole sequence isn't fleshed out properly, and I've heard that the book explains it in much better detail, and that the movie actually cut most of that side plot due to time constraints. Fair enough. Aside from that, the whole movie moves really well throughout.
The actors give great performances. Antonio Banderas has an almost spot on middle eastern accent (my fathers side of the family is from that part of the world and I can attest to its' accuracy. Some have said it sounds Spanish, and maybe theirs a few spanish sounding syllables here and there, but over all it's spot on). His character of Ibn is played with a great heart. He might not be the most couragious or outgoing of people in the begining of the movie, but throughout we see his growth and determination foster into something really worth respecting. Theirs a scene in the peace before the last battle sequence where Ibn takes off his padded shoes and lowers himself to the ground to pray as a Muslim. Soon after, all of the Vikings as well as Ibn himself, prey in the Viking way of a beautiful chant, "Low there do I see my father, my mother, my sister..." The fusing of cultures just helps culminate the brotherhood spirit that these soldiers have grown to foster by the end of the film.
All of the viking characters offer their own uniqeuness to their parts. Each viking had his own attributes and personalities.
If theirs something to say that the movie lacks, I would have to say (coming from an ubiased point of view, hopefully), is that their arn't many great female roles. Their are two speaking parts in the movie which are given to women, and they don't amount to much. However, the performances given are really well done.
So, this is my all time favorite movie. I really enjoy it for so many more reasons than listed, but I know that many of them are nostalgic in origin and probably can't be instated in someone just watching for the first time as an adult now. But, give it a chance. If you like history, languages, cultural intermixing, action, or just a great character driven story, I would recomend the 13th Warrior to you in a heart beat!