Erik the Viking (1989)

Erik the Viking and his men travel across the sea to find Valhalla to ask the gods to end the Age of Ragnarok.

Director:

Terry Jones

Writer:

Terry Jones

Stars:

Tim Robbins, John Cleese, Mickey Rooney

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Tim Robbins	...	Erik
Mickey Rooney	...	Erik's Grandfather
Eartha Kitt	...	Freya
Terry Jones	...	King Arnulf
Imogen Stubbs	...	Princess Aud
John Cleese	...	Halfdan the Black
Tsutomu Sekine	...	Slavemaster
Antony Sher	...	Loki
Gary Cady	...	Keitel Blacksmith
Charles McKeown	...	Sven's Dad
Tim McInnerny	...	Sven the Berserk
John Gordon Sinclair	...	Ivar the Boneless
Richard Ridings	...	Thorfinn Skullsplitter
Freddie Jones	...	Harald the Missionary
Samantha Bond	...	Helga

Storyline

Erik the Viking and his men travel across the sea to find Valhalla to ask the gods to end the Age of Ragnarok.

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Plot Keywords:

character name in title | viking | norse mythology | ragnarok | norse god | 

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Taglines:

Rape, gore, pillage, murder... and some really lovely scenery.

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Genres:

Comedy | Adventure | Fantasy

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Certificate:

PG-13

Did You Know?

Trivia

As a favor for his friend Terry Jones, John Cleese replaced Jack Lemmon on short notice.

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Goofs

When Erik's ship arrives at Hy-Brasil, it has been damaged and is sinking, however without fixing the ship, they are able to take to sea against Halfdan the Black's attack.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Helga: Have you done this sort of thing before?
Erik: Me? Of course. I've been looting and pillaging up and down the coast.
Helga: Looting and pillaging, eh?
Erik: Yes
Helga: What about the raping?
Erik: Shut up.
Helga: Well, it's obvious you haven't raped anyone in your life.

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Crazy Credits

This film is not based on the children's book "The Saga Of Erik The Viking" by Terry Jones (Although he hopes it will help the sales)

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Alternate Versions

The UK cinema version was cut by 37 secs for a 12 certificate with edits to the opening rape of Helga. Video releases were upgraded to a 15 but featured a shorter print: 7 minutes were cut to tighten the movie. The current DVD (known as the "Director's Son's Cut") features both the video version and an even shorter (75 minute) print.

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Connections

Referenced in Becker: DNR (2004)

User Reviews

An enjoyable tour of the viking legends

This movie was a brainchild of the venerable Pythons (Monty python's flying circus, Yellowbeard, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Life of Brian) and while only a couple of them are in it, it has their usual stamp of silliness and political incorrectness. The python troup has several history professors among it and thus their historical flicks, while silly, also usually manage to work some real history into the mix. Anyone familiar with the viking belief system and legends will really enjoy this movie for its correctness and attention to detail in that regard. While there are many amusing parts of the movie, I found the Christian priest that accompanyied them and couldn't see any of the viking gods (because that was not his belief system), perhaps the most amusing part of the whole movie.

Details

Country:

UK Sweden

Language:

English Japanese

Release Date:

22 September 1989 (USA)

Also Known As:

Erik the Viking

Filming Locations:

Lee International Studios, Shepperton, Surrey, England, UK

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$68,543, 24 September 1989

Gross USA:

$1,932,642

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$1,932,642

Company Credits

Production Co:

KB Erik the Viking, Prominent Features, Svensk Filmindustri (SF)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

107 min 79 min (director's cut)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1