by Rowlandwithaw

Created on: November 23, 2011

The Vikings (1958)

Starring Kirk Douglas, Tony Curtis, Ernest Borgnine, Janet Leigh with James Donald and Alexander Knox

Directed by Richard Fleischer

“The Vikings is a riveting spectacle of brutal action”

To enjoy this film is easy, it is a good movie – not staggering in its performances, not creating complex characterisations, nor giving us valuable insights into the human condition. It’s an historic setting for an enjoyable ‘heroic’ romp! A swashbuckling tale - and nobody buckles their swashes better than these guys – they are top league players.

Einar (Kirk Douglas) is the arrogant son of Viking chief Ragnar (Ernest Borgnine), whereas Eric (Tony Curtis), a slave, is – unknown to any of them – is Douglas’ half brother. When the Vikings capture an English queen (Janet Leigh) they are both smitten by her (well, we are talking a period piece so we should use the appropriate language …..) and the ensuing rivalry well  . . . . you’ll find out.

Yes it is an old film made at a time when dialogue was written in a strangely stilted manner as if to give it some historic seriousness – watch any ‘historical’ film of this era Sodom and Gomorrah(1963), Spartacus(1960), and Cleopatra(1963) and you’ll see what I mean. So you have to accept that. Also ‘standards’ have changed – the drunken Viking party seems somewhat tame, the heavenly choirs are a bit over the top, the soundtrack occasionally seems dreadfully inappropriate and although the story revolves around deception the characters are pretty two dimensional.  Overall however it all works. Essentially it is a simple comic book storyline with some moral message (though it is well-hidden) transferred to the big screen in a way that works – romance, action (with very little gore), treachery and lots of hairy men with beards drinking from horns and laughing heartily! The Vikings – check it out.

Note to readers

Re: Queen’s Handmaiden Bridget – This role is played by Dandy Nicholls who went on to play the ‘silly ol’ moo’ Alf Garnett’s long suffering wife, Else in ‘Till Death Us To Part’, the successful BBC comedy series. This was the basis for the American comedy All in the Family featuring Archie Bunker and his family.

Goofs: When Douglas throws Bridget, the handmaiden off the boat, the stand-in  looks suspiciously male!

Great Line:

Ragnar (Borgnine) to Englishman, “What would you do with a slave like this?”

Englishman, “We’d put him in a pit of hungry wolves.”

Ragnar to son, “You see, I told you the English were civilised!”

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