The strength rune in Norse mythology, known as Uruz, is a symbol of physical and mental strength, vitality, and primal power. It is often associated with the aurochs, a powerful and wild bull-like creature that inhabited Europe before its extinction. The name Uruz stems from the Old Norse word for aurochs. In ancient Norse culture, strength was highly respected and considered essential for survival. The Uruz rune represents the raw strength and vitality needed to overcome obstacles, endure hardships, and achieve success. It is a testament to the resilience and determination of the Norse people.
Language: 1/10—I didn’t catch anything objectionable, so the 1 is here as a cushion
Here, the part is played by Kathleen Crowley, who was in her fair share of B movies and Westerns, including The Rebel Set, Target Earth, Female Jungle, and Maverick. Entire family Yes though only older kids will appreciate the deliberate pacing and subtlety Run time 79 minutes Black-and-White Studio Distributor Kino Lorber Aspect ratio 1.
It is a testament to the resilience and determination of the Norse people. The strength represented by the Uruz rune is not just about physical power but also mental fortitude. It symbolizes the ability to tap into one's inner strength and harness it in times of need.
Family Home Theater
A week ago, if you had asked me to name a Western that bridged genres and included vampires, I would have said, “I know, I know: Billy the Kid vs. Dracula!” That 1966 movie is famous for being so absolutely awful that it’s not even laughably bad—an insipid film that’s only known for the blending of genres that everyone thought unique. But a few days ago I became aware of another vampire Western—Curse of the Undead—and it turns out that this black-and-white 1959 film was really the first vampire Western.
What’s more—and here’s the shocker—it’s not a silly movie that takes itself seriously, thereby setting itself up for an audience that likes campy films, films that are wink-wink so bad that they’re kinda good. You need to know this, so you won’t look at the cover art and think, Oh, we’re going to have so much fun making fun of this rotten film. It’s not rotten and it’s not campy. Writer-director Edward Dein, who would go on to direct Robert Conrad in three TV series (Hawaiian Eye, The Wild Wild West, The Black Sheep Squadron), plays this absolutely straight. It’s a surprisingly good drama that treats vampires a little less like Universal monsters and more like what legend says they were. If it were shorter, it might pass for an episode of The Twilight Zone, and tonally it’s very much like the classic monster movies that Universal cranked out in previous decades.
To make the Western aspect work, it helps that one of the stars is Eric Fleming, who played Gil Favor on the highly respected Rawhide (think Blues Brothers!) TV series and also appeared in several episodes of Bonanza, that other long-running TV Western. In this vampire Western, Fleming plays Preacher Dan. Somebody has to have a cross, right?
One of the other stars is John Hoyt, who appeared in such TV Westerns as The Virginian, The Big Valley, Laredo, Wagon Train, Have Gun – Will Travel, Maverick, Laramie, The Rifleman, Death Valley Days, and Union Pacific. All of those Westerns were popular because they were aimed at adults. They were serious dramas and not just Saturday morning formulaic shoot-‘em-ups.
In this film, even the vampire—Michael Pate—worked in TV Westerns that were played for drama, not laughs, including shows like Zane Grey Theater, Maverick, Wanted: Dead or Alive, Sugarfoot, and Broken Arrow. These guys knew how to play cowboys, and it’s both surprising and refreshing that the vampire in Curse of the Undead doesn’t transform into a bat, doesn’t say “I vant to suck your blood,” and doesn’t behave like he just got in from Transylvania. He looks and acts like the kind of gunslinger you’d encounter in the Old West: dark and menacing as a coiled rattlesnake ready to strike.
There’s always a ranch or town boss in a Western who’s the villain, but when there’s a vampire gunman in town any villain is going to seem soft by comparison—even someone like Bruce Gordon, who played Frank Nitti in the old Untouchables TV series and also appeared with Vincent Price in Tower of London. And there’s always a damsel in distress, a delectable morsel-in-waiting in every vampire movie. Here, the part is played by Kathleen Crowley, who was in her fair share of B movies and Westerns, including The Rebel Set, Target Earth, Female Jungle, and Maverick.
If you look at Amazon you’ll see that people who bought an earlier VHS version of the film complained about the quality. Well, there won’t be any complaints about the brand new 2K master used to create this Blu-ray, with a sharp picture that helps to showcase the low-contrast lighting and the creepy elements, so that it almost feels like it came right out of Universal’s famed monster series. Except this one doesn’t have a monster. Drake Robey (Pate) is a mysterious stranger who wears black and a grimace and presents himself as a hired gun. There’s an outbreak of young girls getting mysterious ill, crazy, and dead—in that order—and no one in town suspects this stranger, who lurks the way Universal monsters lurk. No one except Preacher Dan, that is. It might be the only logical flaw in the screenplay by Dein and his wife, Mildred, which presents viewers with not just a classic monster pic but a classic triangle as well, between Dan, Drake, and Dolores. (Triple D? It even sounds like a Western!).
Kino Lorber brought in a big gun to handle the audio commentary: Tom Weaver is one of the leading scholars of the horror genre, especially the Universal horror films from the ‘30s and ‘40s. The author of 35 books, he knows his stuff, and his commentary is well worth a listen. It’s one of the better ones.
Clearly the Universal Monster Pictures were of a particular time, because this one, though very much in the same mold, lapsed into obscurity while the films from earlier decades are regarded now as classics. Maybe it was a little too realistic for classic monster movie fans; maybe Drake just isn’t enough of a monster; or maybe it just came along a decade too late.
Entire family: Yes (though only older kids will appreciate the deliberate pacing and subtlety)
Run time: 79 minutes (Black-and-White)
Studio/Distributor: Kino Lorber
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Featured audio: DTS 2.0
Bonus features: B
Trailer
Amazon link
Not rated (would be PG for some violence and themes of death)
Language: 1/10—I didn’t catch anything objectionable, so the 1 is here as a cushion
Sex: 1/10—Same thing here, just an innocent kiss or two
Violence: 4/10—Pretty nocturnally innocuous, with most of the action off-camera
Adult situations: 4/10—The whole vampire preying on girls and girls acting crazy and screaming before they’re found limp and lifeless can be unsettling, though brief and the real action is off-camera
Takeaway: The trailer pretty much captures the tone and essence of the film, which is surprisingly straightforward
This rune encourages individuals to face challenges head-on with confidence, courage, and determination. In divination, the Uruz rune represents the manifestation of one's desires and goals. It signifies the power to make things happen and take control of one's destiny. When this rune appears, it is often seen as a sign of strength and a reminder of the inner power that lies within each individual. The Uruz rune is also associated with the animal kingdom, particularly the aurochs. It represents the primal and untamed aspects of nature and reminds us of the inherent strength and wildness within all living beings. It serves as a connection to the natural world and a reminder of the interconnectedness of all things. In modern interpretations, the Uruz rune is often used as a symbol of personal power, motivation, and growth. It is associated with physical health and fitness, as well as mental and emotional well-being. The Uruz rune encourages individuals to embrace their strength, both physical and mental, and to use it to overcome challenges and achieve their goals. Overall, the Uruz rune in Norse mythology is a powerful symbol of strength, vitality, and the ability to overcome obstacles. It serves as a reminder of the inherent power and potential within each individual and encourages us to tap into our inner strength to achieve success and personal growth..
Reviews for "Connecting with Nature's Strength through the Strength Rune in Norse Beliefs"
1. Sarah - 2 stars - I am a huge fan of Norse mythology and was excited to dive into "Strength Rune Norse". However, I was sorely disappointed. The writing felt choppy and lacked depth. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked any real development. The plot was predictable and unoriginal. Overall, I found the book to be a lackluster retelling of Norse myths, and it failed to capture my interest or imagination.
2. Michael - 3 stars - As a reader who enjoys fantasy novels, I was intrigued by the premise of "Strength Rune Norse". However, I found the execution to be lacking. The pacing was inconsistent, with slow sections that dragged on and action scenes that felt rushed. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it difficult to connect with the characters. Additionally, the world-building was shallow, leaving me with more questions than answers. While the book had potential, it was ultimately a disappointment for me.
3. Emma - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Strength Rune Norse" as a lover of historical fiction. Unfortunately, the book fell short of my expectations. The writing was convoluted and overly descriptive, making it hard to follow the storyline. The characters were poorly developed and lacked relatability. Moreover, the author failed to effectively transport the reader into the Norse world, leaving me feeling detached and unengaged. Overall, "Strength Rune Norse" missed the mark for me, and I do not recommend it to fellow readers seeking an immersive historical experience.
4. Ryan - 1 star - I found "Strength Rune Norse" to be a complete waste of time and money. The writing was cringe-worthy, filled with grammatical errors and awkward phrasing. The characters were shallow and uninteresting, and the plot was predictable and unoriginal. The book lacked any real depth or substance, and I struggled to finish it. I would not recommend "Strength Rune Norse" to anyone looking for a well-written and engaging read.
5. Amanda - 2 stars - "Strength Rune Norse" was a major disappointment for me. The storytelling felt disjointed and lacked coherence. The pacing was inconsistent, with lengthy portions of the book that seemed to drag on without adding any value to the overall narrative. The characters were forgettable and lacked any real depth or complexity. Overall, I found "Strength Rune Norse" to be a forgettable read that I would not recommend to others.