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 gathers warriors from his village and sets out on a dangerous journey to Valhalla, to ask the gods to end the Age of Ragnorok and allow his people to see sunlight again. A Pythonesque satire of Viking life.

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Plot Keywords:

viking | character name in title | 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

Details

Country:

UK Sweden

Language:

English Japanese

Release Date:

22 September 1989 (USA)

Also Known As:

Erik el vikingo

Filming Locations:

Lee International Studios, Shepperton, Surrey, England, UK

Box Office

Gross USA:

$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

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Tom Hulce, star of Amadeus (1984), was originally intended to play the lead part of Erik. However, by the time that funding was secured, Hulce had decided to take a break from films to concentrate on his stage career.

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Goofs

Erik runs through waist-deep water to get on shore to get the Cloak Invisible. When he arrives in Aud's bedchamber minutes later, his pants are completely dry.

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Quotes

Thorfinn's Mum: And you've got BOTH axes?
Thorfinn Skullsplitter: Yes, Mother.
Thorfinn's Mum: And something to sharpen them with?
Thorfinn Skullsplitter: Yes, Mum.
Thorfinn's Mum: And don't forget: never let your enemy get behind you.
Thorfinn Skullsplitter: No, Mother.
Thorfinn's Mum: And keep your sword greased.
Thorfinn Skullsplitter: Yes, Mother. Goodbye, Dad.
Thorfinn's Dad: And don't forget to wash - you know - ALL over.
Thorfinn Skullsplitter: No, Dad.
[...]

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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 The Madness and Misadventures of Munchausen (2008)

User Reviews

Funny, more elaborate Monty Python film.

I have a hard time figuring out why Leonard Maltin qualified this movie as an "unwatchable satire." I've watched it about 3 or 4 times, so obviously it is watchable. Not only that, it is quite funny, with Terry Jones hilarious as King Arnulf of Hy-Brazil. I also thought Tim Robbins was quite good as the outcast Erik. The story, on the other hand, was pedestrian and not very engrossing, but I was laughing pretty hard most of the time so the story became just a background aspect of this very funny film anyways. John Cleese has a hilarious cameo as Halfdan the Black who runs a torture chamber in his spare time. Also, the Japanese slave driver is one of the highlights. Good entertainment. 8 out of 10 stars.