My main reason for seeing 'The Vikings' was the cast. It is hard to go wrong with Kirk Douglas, Tony Curtis, Janet Leigh and Ernest Borgnine. Richard Fleischer was a very capable director with the right material. Really liked the concept of the story, Vikings fascinate me, it looked and sounded like it would be great and had heard a lot of good things about it.
Seeing 'The Vikings', can totally see why it is remembered fondly and the good things heard about it, as the elements lauded by many are indeed excellent and deserve the praise. Can also see where those who didn't like 'The Vikings' are coming from, can understand the script and characterisation complaints, as they are the film's weak points and not what people remember the most watching the film, and the surprisingly not-for-the-faint-hearted nature of some scenes won't appeal to all. Found myself liking it, despite having a few problems.
As said, 'The Vikings' is at its weakest in the script and character writing. The script doesn't always flow well and occasionally is a bit wordy and unintentionally humorous. While some roles are meaty, especially those of Douglas and Borgnine, some of the secondary characters are underwritten as is the romantic elements despite Curtis' and Leigh's (married in real-life) charming chemistry.
There are a few story flaws. It is exciting and fun with great atmosphere and action, but parts are a little complicated and others rely too much on coincidence. Occasionally the score is somewhat repetitive.
However, 'The Vikings' has many great things. Especially good are the production values and cast. The cinematography is superb and the art direction and period detail stunning and remarkably evocative. Douglas' charisma dominates in a role perfect for him, while Borgnine has a character he was born to play. While seeing him as a Viking is a bit of a stretch, Curtis nonetheless excels in a role that allows him to stretch his acting chops and show his adeptness in drama and darker roles. Leigh is charming and alluring although her character is bland, while Frank Thring is loathsomely acidic. The rest of the cast do well if not as memorably as those mentioned.
Music is not without its repetitive spots, but it is mostly grand and haunting and Fleischer directs in a way that allows the atmosphere speak for itself, there is intensity and intimacy in the character interaction, the action-oriented scenes rouse and he has a keen eye for detail. The story is mostly compelling and fun, making the most of a generally coherent theme, and there are thought-provoking parts in the script. Another big strength is the action, both grand and brutal and going full throttle with the intensity and not-holding-back. The film is gory and uncompromisingly so, which is a surprise and quite ballsy for back then. Especially in the stirring climax, the swordfight being one of the greatest.
Overall, good if not quite great. 7/10 Bethany Cox
Seeing 'The Vikings', can totally see why it is remembered fondly and the good things heard about it, as the elements lauded by many are indeed excellent and deserve the praise. Can also see where those who didn't like 'The Vikings' are coming from, can understand the script and characterisation complaints, as they are the film's weak points and not what people remember the most watching the film, and the surprisingly not-for-the-faint-hearted nature of some scenes won't appeal to all. Found myself liking it, despite having a few problems.
As said, 'The Vikings' is at its weakest in the script and character writing. The script doesn't always flow well and occasionally is a bit wordy and unintentionally humorous. While some roles are meaty, especially those of Douglas and Borgnine, some of the secondary characters are underwritten as is the romantic elements despite Curtis' and Leigh's (married in real-life) charming chemistry.
There are a few story flaws. It is exciting and fun with great atmosphere and action, but parts are a little complicated and others rely too much on coincidence. Occasionally the score is somewhat repetitive.
However, 'The Vikings' has many great things. Especially good are the production values and cast. The cinematography is superb and the art direction and period detail stunning and remarkably evocative. Douglas' charisma dominates in a role perfect for him, while Borgnine has a character he was born to play. While seeing him as a Viking is a bit of a stretch, Curtis nonetheless excels in a role that allows him to stretch his acting chops and show his adeptness in drama and darker roles. Leigh is charming and alluring although her character is bland, while Frank Thring is loathsomely acidic. The rest of the cast do well if not as memorably as those mentioned.
Music is not without its repetitive spots, but it is mostly grand and haunting and Fleischer directs in a way that allows the atmosphere speak for itself, there is intensity and intimacy in the character interaction, the action-oriented scenes rouse and he has a keen eye for detail. The story is mostly compelling and fun, making the most of a generally coherent theme, and there are thought-provoking parts in the script. Another big strength is the action, both grand and brutal and going full throttle with the intensity and not-holding-back. The film is gory and uncompromisingly so, which is a surprise and quite ballsy for back then. Especially in the stirring climax, the swordfight being one of the greatest.
Overall, good if not quite great. 7/10 Bethany Cox