The Best Antonio Banderas Action You Never Saw

Now we can't and don't want to imagine the cinema world without Antonio Banderas.

He has given us so many memorable performances that we're losing count.

Think about the mysterious El Mariachi in Desperado, the charming Puss in Boots. It doesn’t matter if he's dancing the tango in Take the Lead or fighting corruption in The Mask of Zorro, Banderas has proven his versatility time after time. We ourselves have re-watched these iconic classics an embarrassing amount of times.

But what if I told you there's an epic adventure featuring Banderas that you probably missed? A movie that combines Vikings, Arabian Nights and monster hunting into one incredible story.

Intrigued, huh? Well, let's not waste any more time.

The 13th Warrior: When History Meets Legend

The movie we're talking about is, of course, The 13th Warrior.

Based on Michael Crichton's novel Eaters of the Dead, the movie follows Ahmad ibn Fadlan (Banderas), an Arab diplomat, who finds himself far from home and caught up in an adventure that feels like Lord of the Rings meets Vikings (years before either hit the mainstream, by the way).

The story follows ibn Fadlan as he reluctantly joins a band of Norse warriors on a quest to defeat a mysterious, ancient evil. The 13th Warrior evolves into a story of brotherhood, courage, and survival against impossible odds.

The film is masterfully done, and it still holds up beautifully to this day.

Critics Got It Wrong: The 13th Warrior Is a Misunderstood Masterpiece

The saddest part about this movie is that it sits at a measly 33% Tomatometer, which can prevent a lot of viewers from even giving it a try.

But we're telling you right now: don't let that number fool you. The 13th Warrior is proof that sometimes critics just get it wrong.

Thankfully, the audience reviews tell a different story, As one passionate Redditor, BrokeDancing, perfectly put it:

"I feel compelled to defend this film since it is one of the few serious depictions of viking culture, and based on current trends, it could be the last. So, don't sleep on it. It could cost you your head."

And this is absolutely right. In an age where Viking-themed entertainment often sacrifices authenticity for spectacle, The 13th Warrior definitely stands apart. It respects both its Viking and Arabic elements, and creates something unique, something that we've never even seen before. And you probably haven't either.

If you're intrigued by this blend of history, action, and adventure, The 13th Warrior is currently available on Hoopla free of charge.