The Vikings (1958)

User Rating:

7.0/10   

Director:

Richard Fleischer

Writers:

Edison Marshall (novel)
Dale Wasserman (adaptation)

Release Date:

28 June 1958 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Adventure

Tagline:

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

Plot:

Einar and Eric are two Viking half-brothers. The former is a great warrior whilst the other is an ex-slave...

Plot Keywords:

Warrior | Viking | Princess | Father Son Relationship | Epic

Awards:

2 wins & 1 nomination

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

Also Known As:

:The Vikings: (USA) (alternative spelling)

Runtime:

116 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

Australia:PG | Finland:K-16 | Norway:15 (re-rating) | Norway:16 (original rating) | Sweden:15 | UK:PG | West Germany:16 | Argentina:13

Filming Locations:

Brittany, France

Company:

Brynaprod S.A.

Trivia:

Ernest Borgnine plays the father of Kirk Douglas. In real life Borgnine is one and a half months younger than Douglas.

Goofs:

Audio/visual unsynchronized: When Ragnar and Einar are celebrating the capture of Morgana, Ragnar is heard to say 'What a son'. This line is re-used from the earlier hatchet throwing scene.

Quotes:

Einar: She said she would kill herself if I touched her.
Ragnar: Ah they all say that. What they mean is they'll kill themselves if you don't.

Movie Connections:

Featured in ... A Father... A Son... Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2005) (TV)

An exciting, rugged, unusual film presented with zest and thoughtfulness.

When I was a kid, I loved this film. I saw it again as an adult and was surprised by how well it held up. It may not be technically correct in some details, but I really believe it captures the spirit and flavor of the times it depicts better than most films of this genre. The plot is intricate, the script is well-written, the acting is delightful, the direction absolutely solid. The characters are complex and the actors were not afraid to represent people who are flawed, but for that very reason you end up liking them all the more. Beautifully filmed and with an evocative musical score. From the very beginning of the credits, you know you're going to love it. It's the kind of action film that they do not make anymore. Why is this film NOT available? That is a shame when there are so many less worthy films around.