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:

The Terrible Northmen...Sailing on Dragon Ships Like Serpents on the Sea! Shouting a Battle-Cry to Their Awesome God of War, Odin!

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | History

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

The popularity of this film in Japan inspired Japanese people to refer to buffet as "viking", as both vikings and smorgasbords are associated with Scandinavian culture.

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Goofs

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.

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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

In many TV broadcasts, two bits seem to be missing from the final battle scene. One of these is a close-up of an arrow hitting a man in the neck and the other is of Eric (Tony Curtis) running through a passage and stabbing an enemy.

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Connections

Featured in What We Did on Our Holiday (2014)

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.

Details

Country:

USA

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)

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