Alfred the Great (I) (1969)

Michael York: Guthrum

Photos 

Quotes 

• Guthrum : I am Guthrum, son of Odin! This is Ivar, my warrior chief. He's called Ivar the boneless because his mother made him with gristle, instead of bone. Show them.

  [Ivar performs impressive acrobatics with a sword] 

  Guthrum : He fights as well.

  Alfred : I am Alfred, king of Wessex. This is my cousin, Athelstan of Lamborn. I fear he only jumps on Danish graves.

• Guthrum : Your Christ cannot be like our love god Frey. When maids see him they blush.

  Alfred : My god is life, eternal! Your gods are dead.

  Guthrum : Not dead. They speak in thunder, and in battle! In birth cry, and from the loins from lovers! Here are my gods, they were your gods of old. Men say all Saxon kings are sons of Odin.

  Alfred : They lie.

  Guthrum : He's a cruel god, lusting for power and knowledge. He was hanged upon a tree to prove himself and to find wisdom.

  Alfred : He found nothing. Your gods teach nothing. They have no wisdom.

  Guthrum : They have wisdom. The wisdom of the blood.

  Alfred : Of blood? There is no wisdom there, only pain! And hunger and lust. Christ conquers passions so that life and wisdom can begin.

  Guthrum : Without passion?

  Alfred : Yes. Else we are animals.

  Guthrum : And would you be master of all passion?

  Alfred : [Silent] 

  Guthrum : [Chuckles]  Now I see it. You are Odin's son.