The Vikings
1958
5.5/10
This randomly came up in my tubi recommendations after watching an earlier flick. The last time I saw this was probably in the late 70s or early 80s on network TV. So I decided to rewatch it last night while on the road cuz I had forgotten what happened.
The film is basically focused on stereotypes of Norwegian Vikings depicting them as “Barbarians” and not giving a Fuck. They were far from that if you look up their history and what they achieved. The English are depicted as “Sophisticated” which is far from the truth.
The premise has been done and copied through out Hollywood since the 50s. Nothing new there.
Action sequences are ok. VFX/SFX look good for the era it was made. Kirk Douglas was the “Tom Cruise” of his era and does all his own stunts in the film. Nothing outlandish, but it’s interesting seeing him in his prime.
The film has nice Sword fight between Douglas and Tony Curtis. They both do the sequence with no stuntman and it plays out well, especially the location where they have the fight. You will also notice that it’s obvious that George Lucas used this scene as inspiration for the fight between Luke/Vader in “Return of the Jedi”.
For the InCells, you will enjoy this flick. Women through out the film are treated like pure dirt and no respect. This film is definitely not politically correct or “Woke”.
For the Militants, there is one Black character. He is a slave and a mute. He does play an important role in the film.
Overall, it’s an entertaining film. It definitely was made for the big screen when I started watching it. I debated about stopping it and waiting until I got home to watch on the big screen TV.
Synopsis
Viking Prince Einar (Kirk Douglas) doesn't know it, but his most fearsome enemy, the slave Eric (Tony Curtis), is actually his half brother. Their feud only intensifies when Einar kidnaps Princess Morgana (Janet Leigh), the intended bride of the brutal King Aella (Frank Thring). Einar intends to make the beautiful girl his own. Unfortunately for him, Morgana has eyes only for Eric -- leading to much bloodshed and the capture of their father, King Ragnar (Ernest Borgnine).