The Vikings [DVD] [1958]

I loved this film when I saw it as a kid. Some movies you loved back then disappoint when you them again as an adult, this one didn't. A brilliant adventure story and the history wasn't that badly mauled by Hollywood as it is wont to do. the only thing that ruined it was a defect on the disc which caused it to stutter and stall about 1/4 of the way in.

Want a thoroughly entertaining film? Never seen The Vikings? Look no further.Kirk Douglas`s own company Bryna (named after his mother) made this Norse epic-of-sorts in 1958, engaging the enterprising Richard Fleisher to direct and camera wiz Jack Cardiff to shoot it - and boy, is it a feast for the eyes!Kirk plays Einar, son of Ragnar (Ernest Borgnine having a whale of a time in one of his best roles), with Tony Curtis excellent in solemn mode as Einar`s would-be enemy Eric, a slave. Kirk is the rampaging one, with Curtis the romantic brooding one.Janet Leigh - for whom I`d have fought any day of the week - is stunningly beautiful as Morgana, the girl who inevitably comes between the two testosterone-filled Norsemen. In a nice bit of casting, a pre-Alf Garnett Dandy Nichols is her waiting woman.The capable Australian actor Frank Thring, in his first film role, is the petulant, highly camp Aella, the Northumbrian king. (Aella? Yes, there really was one of that name.) James Donald, without whom no film of this kind would be complete, is his usual chilly self as an English mediator between the Vikings and the English. Eileen Way is effective as a rune-wielding Viking soothsayer.It`s a good, if slightly simplistic, story, it`s directed with great flair and, as I say, it looks wonderful.Hollywood`s idea of history was in those days rarely to be taken with anything less than a bag of salt, but here the details are lovingly on display, from the Viking ships to the gorgeous costumes.Kirk Douglas brought endless energy and commitment to all his film roles (all that impetuous Russian passion) and Tony Curtis, as in Spartacus, gives him equally committed support. In fact, he`s better here than in the rather droopy part he had in that great epic, proving once again that he was one of the most underrated movie actors around, given the right parts.The Vikings is a film I can happily watch again and again - though not too often, perhaps - and each time be caught up in its panache, its very real beauty, its sheer energy, and its rough charm.It`s by no means perfect, but really - who cares? It`s huge fun, and looks great.See it at least once in your life.

The Vikings is an adventure film directed by Richard Fleischer in 1958 Technicolor, produced by and starring Kirk Douglas, and based on the novel The Viking by Edison Marshall, based in its turn on material from the sagas of Ragnar Lodbrok and his sons. Other starring roles were taken by Tony Curtis, Janet Leigh and Ernest Borgnine. The film made notable use of natural locations in Norway. It was mostly filmed in Maurangerfjorden and Maurangsnes, captured on film by cinematographer Jack Cardiff although Aella's castle was the real Fort de la Latte in north-east Brittany.Despite being derisively called a "Norse Opera" by New York Times critic Bosley Crowther, the film proved a major box office success and spawned the television series Tales of the Vikings, directed by the film's editor, Elmo Williams, which included none of the original cast or characters.The Vikings was the second and, as it turned out, last collaboration between Fleischer and Douglas (the first was 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea).I bought The Vikings as a present for my dad and he was impressed with it. Although I saw bits of this film on the telly on one occasion at the home of my grandparents from my mum's side of the family several years ago, I also thought The Vikings was a very good film when having watched it on DVD (the scene I remembered seeing on that occasion before watching the film on DVD was the one where Kirk Douglas's character had one of his eyes pecked out by a vicious bird of some sort, possibly an eagle but I can't remember for certain). The film relied on a very talented cast of actors such as Kirk Douglas, Tony Curtis and Ernest Borgnine, and the film was also well directed. Very highly recommended.

This is one of my favourite films and I feel this more than ever as time has passed as with more knowledge of these times, the story is so true of what the Vikings and Gaels or Celts got up to. Quite apart from that, is the fact that this is a rollocking good adventure story full of drama, intrigue, romance and plenty of action! Kirk Douglas plays the Viking and Tony Curtis the Gael, who are both marvellous in these parts, with Tony's wife in real life, Jennifer Leigh as the female lead, (father and mother of Jamie Leigh Curtis) looking very beautiful as the courageous princess. The backgrounds these character play against beautiful Norwegian scenery, with huge tall mountains, long cascading waterfalls and carousing vikings in their longboats; foggy seas with menacing crabs, chanting witches who call to Odin, and magnificent castles and battle scenes. Ernest Borgnine plays Ragnor, Douglas's father, magnificently, who is based on a real Viking person from long ago. The music ain't half bad as well!

Saw this movie as a boy, and was left with everlasting memories! Bought it again, as an adult, and loved it as much , if not more than the first time! Such great acting and realistic settings! Have always been a massive Kirk Douglas fan! Highly recommend this movie!