"When the Raven Flies" is not about Vikings. It is not about Island. And it is definitively not even remotely inspired by Dashiell Hammett's "Red Harvest" (1929). "Raven" is an Italo-Western set in the 11th century, on the coast of Island. The mood, the esthetics, the music, the horses, the indestructible gun, uhm, knife slinger, the nameless stranger, the revenge story, treason, torture, the predominant low-budget vibe - many familiar elements from the Western subgenre have been translated into this new setting.
An Irishman takes revenge on a bunch of bandits in their hideouts. They are expatriates from Norway and called Vikings. Though it might be that their depiction is historically correct, for most viewers they are Vinos, Vikings in name only. Apart from the language, the only thing that distinguishes them from other Europeans is their Norse religion, with the ravens of Odin and a strange sanctuary.
For the most part the concept of "Raven" works quite well, it is really enjoyable for somebody who remembers at least a few Italo-Westerns. Without this knowledge a main attraction is lost. Some of the references might be regarded as flaws, as too distracting. There are better low-budget Italo-Westerns, but "Raven" is an unique film, with some great moments and on the whole well worth watching.
Postscript: The term "Spaghetti Western" is just silly. This specific style of Western films has been invented and cultivated by Italians. Some of those movies were made elsewhere, in Spain, Mexico, the USA. But in none of them people are eating spaghetti.
There has never been a screen adaption of "Red Harvest". Most likely there never will be. Hammett's first novel is a strange and very surprising read, very different from the books he wrote later on. It is quite a stretch to call "Red Harvest" a recognizable inspiration for Kurosawa's Yojimbo. But for "Raven"? That's just pretentious. And "Raven" is down-to-earth - as were the original Italo-Westerns with their gritty naturalism.
An Irishman takes revenge on a bunch of bandits in their hideouts. They are expatriates from Norway and called Vikings. Though it might be that their depiction is historically correct, for most viewers they are Vinos, Vikings in name only. Apart from the language, the only thing that distinguishes them from other Europeans is their Norse religion, with the ravens of Odin and a strange sanctuary.
For the most part the concept of "Raven" works quite well, it is really enjoyable for somebody who remembers at least a few Italo-Westerns. Without this knowledge a main attraction is lost. Some of the references might be regarded as flaws, as too distracting. There are better low-budget Italo-Westerns, but "Raven" is an unique film, with some great moments and on the whole well worth watching.
Postscript: The term "Spaghetti Western" is just silly. This specific style of Western films has been invented and cultivated by Italians. Some of those movies were made elsewhere, in Spain, Mexico, the USA. But in none of them people are eating spaghetti.
There has never been a screen adaption of "Red Harvest". Most likely there never will be. Hammett's first novel is a strange and very surprising read, very different from the books he wrote later on. It is quite a stretch to call "Red Harvest" a recognizable inspiration for Kurosawa's Yojimbo. But for "Raven"? That's just pretentious. And "Raven" is down-to-earth - as were the original Italo-Westerns with their gritty naturalism.