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

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:

Audio/visual unsynchronized: When Ragnar and Einar are celebrating the capture of Morgana, Ragnar is heard to say 'What a son'. This line is re-used from the earlier hatchet throwing scene.

Quotes:

Morgana: I don't need traitors to plead my cause.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Blood of the Vikings" (2001)

DON'T CALL YOURSELF AN ACTION FAN IF YOU'VE MISSED THIS ONE.

This movie is guaranteed to set the pulses of any red blooded viewer racing.It pulsates with vibrant action and splendid period atmosphere; Kirk Douglas was born to play the role of Einar and he extracts every bit of menace and finally pathos as a warrior whose love for the wrong woman finally destroyed him.Tony Curtis shows restraint in his role and is free of the too eager to please grinning and mugging which marred his later performances.The action is the thing here,however,and what action it is;the final attack by the vikings on the English castle is a stupendous spectacle with swords,axes,grappling hooks used aplenty as a horde of expert stuntmen have the time of their lives whilst the truly magnificent score by Mario Nascimbene provides suitable accompaniment to their lusty adventures.With wonderful scenery,convincing performances and enough testosterone to launch a 100 longships,"THE VIKINGS" is a gloriously sadistic and savage experience that belies its 1958 vintage,disengage your brain and revel in this serio-comic romp which should be in the video collection of any true action fan.