Summary: With her father, King Thorsson (Greg Melvill-Smith) under the thumb of the tormented Agnar (David Dukas) -- a half-man, half-beast creature who's been cursed by the Norse god Odin -- the beautiful Princess Freya (Jane March) embarks on a quest to bring them home. But even if her charms are enough to tame Agnar's beast within, can the curse that endangers them both be reversed?

The story begins as a Viking drama about young love and duty. Freya is the clan princess, pursued by Sven who wants only to become king after King Thorsson dies. Freya prefers Agnar, who was lost with a boatload of clansmen on a raid.

The old king longs for one more grand adventure and takes a group to an island two days journey away. The island is cursed, being the realm of a great and brutal Beast - said to be protected by Odin. The King discovers that this is where Agnar and the others met their deaths. When the Beast attacks, most are quickly killed. The frail King is locked in battle with the Beast, and cowardly Sven runs away under the guise of helping a wounded Eric, leaving the King to die.

Back in the village, Sven proclaims himself King and demands Freya wed him on the next full moon. Eric tells Freya the truth - that her Father might still be alive - and she sets out to free him, accompanied only be her friend Ingrid. They encounter the Beast and Freya exchanges herself for her wounded Father. Freya is left alone on the cursed island with the Beast and discovers all is not what it seems...

Craven Sven and noble Freya

The film offers a different take on the Beauty and the Beast fable, drawing a strong contrast between the cowardly liar Sven and the cursed but noble Agnar. Sven is handsome, strong, and the best fighter of the clan - a natural choice to be the next king. But his cruel and cowardly ways make the beautiful Princess Freya view him with contempt. A warrior in her own right, Freya is perfectly capable of sailing to a forbidden isle and rescuing her Father/King on her own. She faces down the Beast in single combat, while Sven during his chance for battle flees without ever engaging the Beast.

The Beast's story - having slain Odin's pet and being cursed to take it's place, and his bloodlust rising with the full moon - is reminiscent of the classic Wolf Man story from the 1940's. The Beast also bears some of the character traits of Viking Berserkers: enormous strength, uncontrollable fury, and the ability to shrug off what should be mortal wounds. His love for the beautiful girl and inability to harm her is pure Beauty and the Beast.

Princess Freya is played as a fiercely independent warrior Viking by Jane March. In this film, only Odin (who is never seen) is a god - Freya and the rest are mortals of Midgard. Indeed, King Thorsson and Freya may simply be named as they are because they are the royalty of the clan - although the film doesn't mention other Norse gods.

The film suffers from a reasonably low budget - few sets and crude make-up for the Beast. The sword fighting is only adequate, and the camera work is occasionally dizzying. However, the acting is good - especially Jane March as Freya, Justin Whalin as Eric, and Candicé Hillebrand as Ingrid. David Dukas is hampered by his make-up, but does a credible job portraying the anguish his character is suffering. The ending is depressing - but entirely reasonable for a Viking saga.

If you like romances or Viking dramas - this is a film to see. Rated PG-13 and available on DVD.