An epic BBC historical drama based on Iceland's famous saga of tragedy, heroism and fate.

Written by an anonymous storyteller in the 13th Century, and describing events between 960 and 1020, Njáls saga is one of the great works of medieval literature. The longest and most celebrated of the Icelandic sagas, it deals with family honour, vengeance and a vicious blood feud spanning almost 50 years.

Based on the classic translation by Magnus Magnusson and Hermann Pálsson, this gripping dramatisation centres around two friends—the wise, learned Njal, and the brave warrior Gunnar. Gifted with the ability to see into the future, Njal can foretell his own death—but he is powerless to stunt the growth of the tree of strife that flourishes after Gunnar's betrothal to Hallgerd with the thief's eyes.

Embroiled in his wife's intrigues, Gunnar is caught in a cycle of killings and revenge—and as Njal's sons are drawn into this web of violence, tragedy ensues. Bound by ties of blood, and unable to escape their destiny, Gunnar, Njal, and their descendants seem doomed to an endless vendetta. Even the coming of a new faith, Christianity, fails to halt the conflict—and as brother turns upon brother, will peace ever be restored?

Adapted by veteran dramatist David Wade, this gripping tale vividly evokes Iceland's heroic age. Thronged with action, passion, power struggles and prophetic dreams, it features a host of vividly-drawn characters, and stars Bernard Hepton as Njal, Struan Rodger as Gunnar and Maureen O'Brien as Hallgerd.

Production credits

Dramatised by David Wade from a translation by Magnus Magnusson and Herman Palsson

Music by David Chilton and Nick Russell-Pavier

Directed by Jeremy Mortimer

Cast:

Narrators—Norman Rodway & Barbara Jefford

Njal Thorgeirsson—Bernard Hepton

Gunnar Hámundarson—Struan Rodger

Hallgerd Long-Legs—Maureen O'Brien

Ahdli/Thorgeir Otkelsson—Ian Targett

Bergthóra, Njal's wife—Maggie McCarthy

Unn—Anna Cropper

Skarphedin Njalsson—Robert Glenister

Helgi Njalsson/Otkel Skarfsson—Vincent Brimble

Greem Njalsson—Andrew Branch

Brynjolv/Hoskuld Dala-Kollsson/Gayrmund—John Bull

Hrut Herjolfsson/Ketill/Thorgeir—David King

Kolskegg Gunnarsson—David Goudge

Thord Freemansson/Hocni Gunnarsson—Paul Downing

Thrain Sigfusson—John Church

Mord Valgardsson—Shaun Prendegast

Valgard the Grey—John Moffatt

Hoskuld Thrainsson—Jonathan Tafler

Hildigunn—Victoria Carling

Sigmundt/Skammkel/Gudmund—Brian Millar

Skjold/Law Speaker—Donald Gee

Asgnmr Ellioa-Grimsson/Thorgeir—Alan Barker

Flosi Thordarson—Crawford Logan

Kari Solumndarson—Jimmy Yuill

Kawl/Bjorn the White/Melkov—Ken Cumberlidge

Thorgardh/Bjorn's wife—Alice Arnold

Halvard/Thorgeir Skorargeir—Joe Dunlop

Greeman—Drew Branch

With Sam Bennett, Simon Linnell, Joan Matheson, Danny Schiller and Joan Walker

First broadcast BBC Radio 3, 17-18 February 1990