The Vikings (1958)

A slave and a Viking prince fight for the love of a captive princess.

Director:

Richard Fleischer

Writers:

Calder Willingham (screenplay), Dale Wasserman (adaptation)

Stars:

Kirk Douglas, Tony Curtis, Ernest Borgnine

2 wins & 2 nominations.

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 | swashbuckler | based on novel | woman in jeopardy | pirate | 

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Taglines:

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

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Genres:

Action | Adventure

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Official Sites:

MGM

Country:

USA West Germany

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 June 1958 (USA)

Also Known As:

:The Vikings:

Filming Locations:

Bavaria Studios, Bavariafilmplatz 7, Geiselgasteig, Grünwald, Bavaria, Germany

Box Office

Budget:

$3,500,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$7,000,000

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$13,000,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

Brynaprod S.A., Bavaria Film, 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

A Norman-style stone castle is featured in England, though the film is set before the Norman Conquest of 1066.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Narrator: The Vikings, in Europe of the 8th and 9th century, were dedicated to a pagan god of war, Odin. Trapped by the confines of their barren ice-bound northlands, they exploited their skill as shipbuilders to spread a reign of terror, then unequaled in violence and brutality in all the records of history.

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Crazy Credits

Opening credits prologue: PROTECT US OH LORD FROM THE WRATH OF THE NORTHMEN

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Alternate Versions

When originally released theatrically in the UK, the BBFC made cuts to secure a 'A' rating. All cuts were waived in 1993 when the film was granted a 'PG' certificate for home video.

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Connections

Spin-off Tales of the Vikings (1959)

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.