The Promised Land

"Earthy, enjoyable stuff: an expansive, sweeping epic with hope in its heart and dirt under its nails."

"The kind of ravishing, rousing epic we don’t really get much of anymore."

"Mads Mikkelsen is a dour delight."

"(A) brutal yet beautiful historical epic."

"Part Hollywood prestige drama, part pulpy revenge flick, and a perfect showcase for (Mikkelsen)."

"A handsome production that displays all the virtues of assured old-fashioned storytelling without a trace of stodge."

"(Arcel) has a pleasingly sturdy, old-school feel for grand-scale period filmmaking."

"It’s a watchable though slightly sentimentalised story and Mikkelsen gives it seriousness and force."

"Arcel and Mikkelsen have struck a deeply human chord."

"Another rich performance from the always-great Mads Mikkelsen."

"A gripping man-versus-wilderness survival story with unmistakable political undertones... also nimble enough to allow romance to blossom."

"Stakes its claim with admirable gravitas and visual finesse."

"What makes it finally work as well as it does is that it largely avoids the ennobling clichés that turn characters into ideals... — well, that and Mads Mikkelsen."

"Even when it’s painting its story in broad strokes, the film plays expertly to audience emotion."

"What raises it above its similarly plotted kindred is that Arcel adds an intriguing level of court intrigue and class aspiration."

"I could easily imagine John Ford or David Lean centering a film around this character and the actor who so boldly brings him to life."

"A stirring historical epic that balances its grandiose framing with something surprisingly grounded and genuine."

"Very gripping, surprisingly riveting and beautifully shot."

"Old-school Western with a Danish twist."

"(Mikkelsen) is typically compelling in... Nicolaj Arcel's vivid portrait."