Robert Eggers knew he'd have to fight for his vision of 'The Northman.' The result was worth it

With his latest film, "The Northman," director Robert Eggers is bringing his distinctive vision behind cult hits "The Witch" and "The Lighthouse" to something exponentially larger — a big-budget Viking epic. Opening in wide release from Focus Features this weekend, it's a pressure-cooker test case of what happens when a definitively self-possessed filmmaker attempts to meet the Hollywood machine halfway.

Known for his eccentric and unnerving period pictures — bespoke objects made with an obsessive detail and oddball flair — Eggers collaborated with Icelandic author and poet Sjon on a story rooted in Medieval Icelandic sagas crossed with the Scandinavian legend of Amleth, an acknowledged precursor to "Hamlet."

Set around the turn of the 10th century, "The Northman" follows young prince Amleth, who sees his father, King Aurvandil (Ethan Hawke), murdered by his uncle Fjolnir (Claes Bang) before Fjolnir steals away with Amleth's mother, Queen Gudrun (Nicole Kidman). Twenty years later, Amleth (Alexander Skarsgard) has grown into a Viking warrior driven by his vow to avenge his father, save his mother and kill his uncle. Having disguised himself as a slave