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The Vikings -- A Film Adventure Before Its Time
by Wyatt Newman
Hollywood seems to be on a kick to have extravaganza films of
ancient history, films about gladiators, fighting Scots and
unfriendly Greeks, Romans and various countrymen of really old days.
You won't find any films on those hairy northern terrorists of yore,
the Vikings in any theaters. You'd have to go back to one of the
best swashbuckling adventure movies ever made, fittingly and simply
entitled, "The Vikings," vintage 1958, and watch it on
video.
As in most movies of that type, the action-packed ones with mayhem
on a large scale, the star and occasionally the supporting actors
have a chance to show off their looks, physical strength or
cinematic appeal...again based on looks. Such was The Vikings,
produced by and starring Kirk Douglas. He was physically fit enough
to do many of his own stunts, most athletic when he demonstrated his
skill in a Viking home-to-port showoff maneuver of dancing on the
boat's half-raised oars without falling into the fjord. Tony Curtis,
as usual when he played a person from another time, still revealed
his New Jerseyness, however. His wife, Janet Leigh was too beautiful
to believe that such beauty
existed in old English princesses. Earnest Borgnine, one of the most
versatile actors to ever lighten up Hollywood was magnificent as a
Viking chief. An overlooked villain actor...always typecast as such,
Frank Thring, was the evil king imposter. He also was the mean guy
in every Roman movie, most notably as Pontius Pilate in "Ben
Hur."
With all the Scandinavians in this country, one would wonder why
there haven't been more Viking movies. I only know of two, the one
mentioned here and a real disgrace from 1964, "The Long
Ships." I tend to think that Kirk's production of "The
Vikings," was so good I don't know if anyone could do better.
It doesn't get four stars in any ratings, but a more unusual plot
and location you won't find.
Return to 1958 and rent, "The Vikings." It's in color for
those of you who avoid black and white oldies.
- Wyatt |
