The Vikings (1958)

Director:

Richard Fleischer

Writers:

Edison Marshall (novel)
Dale Wasserman (adaptation)
(more)

Release Date:

28 June 1958 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Adventure

Tagline:

Mightiest Of Men... Mightiest Of Spectacles... Mightiest Of Motion Pictures!

Plot:

Einar and Eric are two Viking half-brothers. The former is a great warrior whilst the other is an ex-slave...

Plot Keywords:

Warrior | Princess | Viking | Funeral Pyre | Stabbed In The Chest

Awards:

2 wins & 1 nomination

US TV Schedule:

Sun. Nov. 22

10:00 PM

TCM

Cast

Kirk Douglas	...	Einar
Tony Curtis	...	Eric
Ernest Borgnine	...	Ragnar
Janet Leigh	...	Morgana
James Donald	...	Egbert
Alexander Knox	...	Father Godwin
Maxine Audley	...	Enid
Frank Thring	...	Aella
Eileen Way	...	Kitala
Edric Connor	...	Sandpiper
Dandy Nichols	...	Bridget
Per Buckhøj	...	Bjorn
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Almut Berg	...	Pigtails (uncredited)
Georges Guéret	...	Viking warrior (uncredited)
Paul Préboist	...	Extra (uncredited)
Orson Welles	...	Narrator (voice) (uncredited)

Directed by
Richard Fleischer

Writing credits
Edison Marshall		(novel "The Vikings")
Dale Wasserman		(adaptation)
Calder Willingham		(writer)

Produced by
Jerry Bresler	....	producer
Lee Katz	....	associate producer (uncredited)

Original Music by
Mario Nascimbene

Cinematography by
Jack Cardiff

Production Design by
Harper Goff

Makeup Department
John O'Gorman	....	makeup artist
Gabriella Reggiani	....	hair stylist
Vasco Reggiani	....	hair stylist
Neville Smallwood	....	makeup artist

Production Management
Julien Derode	....	production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
André Smagghe	....	assistant director (as Andre Smagghe)
Elmo Williams	....	second unit director

Sound Department
Joseph de Bretagne	....	sound (as Jo de Bretagne)
Gordon K. McCallum	....	sound mixer (uncredited)

Stunts
Ken Buckle	....	stunts (uncredited)
Jack Cooper	....	stunts (uncredited)
David Sharpe	....	stunt double: Tony Curtis (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
Walter Wottitz	....	photographer: second unit
George Pink	....	technicolor technician (uncredited)

Editorial Department
Elmo Williams	....	editorial supervisor

Music Department
Franco Ferrara	....	conductor: orchestra
Mario Nascimbene	....	music arranger
Gerard Schurmann	....	orchestrator (uncredited)

Other crew
Harper Goff	....	assistant to producer
Christian Ferry	....	location manager (uncredited)
Lucie Lichtig	....	continuity (uncredited)

Production Companies

• Brynaprod S.A.
• Curtleigh Productions

Distributors

• United Artists (1958) (USA) (theatrical)
• United Artists (1958) (France) (theatrical)
• United Artists (1958) (West Germany) (theatrical)
• American Broadcasting Company (ABC) (1964) (USA) (TV) (original airing) (pan/scan)
• MGM/UA Home Entertainment (2002) (USA) (DVD)
• 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (2004) (Brazil) (DVD)
• Warner Home Vídeo (????) (Brazil) (VHS)

Other Companies

• United Productions of America (UPA)  animation prologue

Also Known As:

:The Vikings: (USA) (alternative spelling)

Runtime:

116 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

Australia:PG | Finland:K-16 | Norway:15 (re-rating) | Norway:16 (original rating) | Sweden:15 | UK:PG | West Germany:16 | Argentina:13

Filming Locations:

Brittany, France

Company:

Brynaprod S.A.

Trivia:

There was actually a kingdom called Northumbria, whose history undoubtedly formed part of the basis for the novel from which the movie was made: It was formed about AD 616 by the union of two smaller kingdoms, Bernicia and Deira, with Edwin, son of the Deirian ruler Aella as its first king. In AD 867, it came under Viking control when conquered by two brothers, Ivar and Halfdan Ragnarrson, and integrated into Danelaw - a Viking kingdom already established in Britain. The now-earldom of Northumbria was later divided between two rising kingdoms, Scotland and England. The English portion becoming known as "Northumberland."

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: In the early scene where the viking ship is first returning to the village a shot from the front of the viking boat (from the camera boat in front) clearly reveals the camera boat's wake trailing behind - but in front of the viking ship.

Quotes:

Ragnar: [to Einar] You see, the English are civilized.

Movie Connections:

Featured in ... A Father... A Son... Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2005) (TV)

One outstanding movie!

The Vikings is a top notch movie. I too saw this movie as a young kid in the 50's and I loved it then. I went and saw it every time it was rereleased in the theaters. Viewing it on video 40 years later it has lost none of its luster. Kirk Douglas gives an outstanding performance as Einar. Ernest Borgnine should be the prototype of all future viking performances. Excellent supporting cast in Frank Thring and James Donald. Everything about this movie is excellent including the musical score, the scenery, the story line, the makeup. This film gives a true picture of Viking savagery and love of life and war. I do not want to give away any of the plot so just rent this movie you will not be disappointed.