The Vikings (1958)

Einar and Eric are two Viking half-brothers. The former is a great warrior whilst the other is an ex-slave, but neither knows the true identity of the other. When the throne of Northumbria ... See full summary »

Director:

Richard Fleischer

Writers:

Calder Willingham (screenplay), Dale Wasserman (adaptation),

Stars:

Kirk Douglas, Tony Curtis, Ernest Borgnine

2 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Kirk Douglas	...	Einar
Tony Curtis	...	Eric
Ernest Borgnine	...	Ragnar
Janet Leigh	...	Morgana
James Donald	...	Egbert
Alexander Knox	...	Father Godwin
Maxine Audley	...	Enid
Frank Thring	...	Aella
Eileen Way	...	Kitala
Edric Connor	...	Sandpiper
Dandy Nichols	...	Bridget
Per Buckhøj	...	Bjorn

Storyline

Einar and Eric are two Viking half-brothers. The former is a great warrior whilst the other is an ex-slave, but neither knows the true identity of the other. When the throne of Northumbria in Britain becomes free for the taking, the two brothers compete against one another for the prize, but they have very different motives - both involving the princess Morgana, however.

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Plot Keywords:

viking | warrior | princess | ransom | kissing while having sex | 

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Taglines:

Mightiest Of Men... Mightiest Of Spectacles... Mightiest Of Motion Pictures!

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Genres:

Adventure | Drama | History | Romance | War

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Details

Official Sites:

MGM

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 June 1958 (USA)

Also Known As:

Die Wikinger

Filming Locations:

Bavaria Filmstudios, Geiselgasteig, Grünwald, Bavaria, Germany

Box Office

Budget:

$5,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Bavaria Film, Brynaprod S.A., Curtleigh Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

116 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The story has it that King Ælla killed the father of Ivar, Halfdan and Ubbe Ragnarsson by throwing him into a snake pit. Halfdan and Udde tried to avenge their father but were beaten by Ælla. In a second attack by the two brothers, some time later, Ælla was captured. It was Ivar who suggested that Ælla be killed by having the bloody eagle carved on his back.

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Goofs

As Einar climbs the second drawbridge, an English soldier drops rocks at him. The soldier is hit by an arrow in the neck, supposedly from a Viking archer in front of him, but the arrowhead exits his throat as if he was hit from behind.

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Quotes

Morgana: If you touch me. I'll kill myself.
Einar: There's a sword to do it with. Because I'm going to touch you. Come on! Kick! Bite! Scratch! Come on!
Morgana: I will not lift one finger to resist you.

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Crazy Credits

One of the rare 1950s films to present all the credits at the end.

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Connections

Edited into Totem (1999)

User Reviews

Memories from Childhood

When I was a boy of 11 years, I admired the reconstructed Viking ships near our cottage at the Hardanger fjord. It was the year 1957, when Kirk, Tony and Borgnine visited our country and participated in this beautiful movie... In a funny sort of way, the picture makes us Norwegians proud of that brutal past... I have seen it many times, and am struck by the surprisingly "right" atmosphere, touched by the landscape that I know so very well, and fascinated by the action. OK, so it's Hollywood, but somehow, I have the feeling they don't make movies like this any more. Pity! Well, maybe I'm getting old.