The Salvation

Long live the modern western because it still lives on. The truth may come as a surprise that this is a film from a Danish-British-South African co-production, but that doesn't change the fact that it is an excellent, gritty spectacle about revenge. And one would think that similar films have already been exhausted. Yet they haven't, and Mads is superb as a cowboy and a proper man. (10/18/2014)

I truly expected something deeper from the Danes than a revenge shoot ’em up with Bay-esque circling cameras and ostentatiously painted panoramas and digital fire. But it was actually entertaining, as the all-telling looks of Mikkelsen and Eva Green gave the film a dose of fatefulness even without speaking. (09/07/2020)

A great western-revenge drama with an excellent Mads Mikkelsen and the always seductive Eva Green. The film may not bring anything new to the genre and takes a lot from the classic The Magnificent Seven, but with the genre dead I don't mind at all, I'm happy for any addition that manages to capture the grittiness of the time. If the film was bloodier I'd go for a full rating. Decent entertainment. 80%. (11/19/2017)

A Danish minimalist western with the excellent Mikkelsen. In places, Levring quotes Leone verbatim, not hesitating even to give greater dimension to the characters, perhaps with a touching memory. The straightforward story with a bloody climax will please fans of this genre. The juicy acting performances (Pryce is perfect in the coffin) enhance the terrifying atmosphere of fear. It’s just a shame that Eva doesn’t have much to say and doesn’t come across as particularly sexy. Why couldn’t Jonah Hex have turned out like this? (01/02/2020)

The best of Watchmen, Manchester United, a Bond girl, and the charismatic Mads Mikkelsen. It's a must-see just because of the amazing cast. Of course, it's a by-the-numbers affair that doesn't offer anything besides the actors and solid visuals, but it's clear from the first few minutes that it will be stylishly lethal, and you can even guess the order of who dies and in what form, which is not trivial coming from the Danes. (06/27/2015)