The Vikings
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Movie Reviews of The Vikings
Movie Review: The Wild Bunch
Summary: 5 Stars
This epic is worth watching for the spectacular cinematography of the Norwegian fjords alone, as well as to see the authenticity of how life from the time of the Vikings has been meticulously recreated, and it will enhance one's appreciation to watch the fascinating interview with director Richard Fleisher before viewing the film. It also shows the untamed and unruly nature of the people, who were daring and adventurous, and built beautiful ships to wander the seas and plunder and ravage distant lands.
The script is rather laden with grunts and growls, and the best lines go to the witchy woman Kitala who casts the runes (played well by Eileen Way) who says things like "love and hate are horns on the same goat".
Kirk Douglas is perfect as Einar, with his scarred face and daring stunts, in fine form as he "runs the oars" like an expert athlete, and fills his drinking horn from the enormous vat of frothing brew that is in the center of the raucous dining hall.
Others in the cast are a hairy and wild Ernest Borgnine as Ragnar, the king and father of Einar, Tony Curtis as Eric the slave, and Janet Leigh looking lovely as Morgana. Leigh and Curtis were married and the toast of Hollywood at the time, and their daughter Jamie Leigh Curtis was born in 1958, the same year this film was released.
The story is very operatic and uses as a plot device (like Verdi's "Il Trovatore" for instance) two enemies who are in love with the same woman, and do not realize they are actually half-brothers. Einar and Eric are both sons of Ragnar, and battle each other with a ferocity that makes for some good screen fights, including a marvelous sword duel.
Well-paced direction by Richard Fleisher, glorious cinematography by Jack Cardiff, a fine score by Mario Nascimbene and narration by Orson Welles, as well as many terrific performances make this film well worth viewing; total playing time is 116 minutes.
Movie Review: Great Medieval Film
Summary: 5 Stars
I disagree with the description of "hokum" (in the product description) as this film portrays the period it is set in better than any film during those glory days of Hollywood. The story of course is fiction, but such ironic historical events happened in ancient and medieval times. Lost heirs to thrones, bastard children of royalty and many other situations were not unusual. Europe reached a point with respect to royalty where many of the royal families of different nations were related. By the time of World War I the Czar of Russia and the King of England (who were related) looked like twins. This movie is good historical fiction and portrays the culture of the place, time and ethnic groups (Vikings and English) better than any movie made up to its time and as good as any made since. For that reason I used it many years ago in medieval history classes that I taught. The amount of Viking cultural elements brought into this movie, as well as the accurate images of buildings, towns, costumes, ships, etc. make this movie a "gem". It also makes an effort to not be extravagant with costumes and buildings in the Hollywood way. So if some artifact in the film is elegant looking (such as Kirk Douglas' eye-covering Viking helmet), it's probably accurate. That helmet is. If memory serves me correctly, I believe there is a scenario involving some European kingdom that is actually very similar to this movie plot. If I am correct, perhaps it was known to the writers of this movie. Keep in mind that even Shakespeare's Macbeth was based on a true murder story and struggle for a throne. I've always felt, as a history student and teacher, that this movie (The Vikings) and The Warlord with Charlton Heston & Richard Boone were the two best film portrayals of medieval times from earlier Hollywood years. I also believe the two films can stand toe-to-toe with movies made since. Amazon has the Warlord available also.Movie Review: Overlooked Classic Action Film finally on DVD
Summary: 5 Stars
"The Vikings" is one of the most overlooked and underrated historical action flms of all time. Kirk Douglas, Tony Curtis, Janet Leigh and Ernest Borgnine star; Richard Fleischer ("Soylent Green", "10 Rillington Place", "The Boston Strangler", "Tora! Tora! Tora!", "Fantastic Voyage", "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea", "The Narrow Margin") directed; Jack Cardiff did the spectacularly breathtaking photography on location in Brittany and Norway; and there is an incredibly haunting score by Mario Nascimbene that I've never forgotten in the over 40 years since I first saw this film in a theater. And Orson Welles provides some astute narration to set the scene. Ragnar (Borgnine) rapes British Queen Enid during a blood raid; she later gives birth to Eric, rightful heir to the throne. To protect Eric, Enid sends him away and he grows up to become a proud slave (Tony Curtis), and also the half brother of Einar (Douglas). Both fall for Princess Morgana (Leigh) and the inevitable climactic duel occurs atop a castle dizzingly staged and photographed by the aforementioned pros. But not before several bloody raids, gory battles and vulgar Viking rituals keep the action non-stop. Top this off with a heroic and moving Viking funeral and you've got everything an action fan could ask for.
... You are in for a real treat!
Movie Review: The Vikings
Summary: 5 Stars
How anyone can rate this at less than 5 star beats me.OK, so the storyline is cheesy, the history ludicrous, the acting (what there is of it) madly hammy, and Janet Leigh's astonishing cantilever bra not only defies historical reality and belief, but gravity itself, but the whole thing sweeps along with such incredible gusto that you really don't care. It is a total hoot, and seldom if ever have I had the sense that everybody involved in a movie had such a whale of a time making it.
Stunning scenery, outstanding cameratography, a great battle and a thrilling climactic duel. Plus a decently literate script with a line or two to die for ('I think I'll go and watch that slave drown' springs to mind, as does the dialogue revolving around Leigh's bodice being too tight for her to row).
Compare The Vikings with the stupendously dull multi-Oscar winning (how? why? what was the jury *on*?) Ben-Hur of the following year. All anybody who isn't certifiably insane wants to watch the latter for is the fantastic 10 minutes or whatever of the chariot race. As for the turgid remainder (even the sea battle is pretty cruddy), forget it. Now with The Vikings, 90 minutes or so of unremittingly rollicking entertainment.
Disengage brain, slot video/DVD into player, line up beers and *enjoy*!
Movie Review: I Lived In Norway Where Vikings Roamed
Summary: 5 Stars
I lived in Norway for some 6 years and grew to know the language, people and customs. It was an experience I can never forget. I saw the actual Viking ships and weaponry, traversed the very fjords and mountains and lived there in Telemark and in Trondheim where St. Olav reigned.
There could be no more majestic a film than this one. Reading the Heimskringla (History of the Norwegian Kings) gave me even greater imagery and concepts of how rough those times were. This film depicted in a very wonderful fashion the life and struggles of those nomadic warriors and the beauty of their homeland. The landscapes and music reflected the mood of those rough and daring times. Kirk Douglas and Tony Curtis were the ideal actors for those parts.
Having been to those actual locations and seeing the towering heights of fjord mountains and deep frigid weather and enduring several trips over the north sea proved to me the Vikings and their descendants are rugged, noble and awe-inspiring. The true story of St. Olav is even more astounding....for ever there was a Viking King and a Catholic Saint....he was the one...and the Vikings he led more than glamourous but real.
This movie was and always will be excellent
Jesse Jr.