The Vikings

An epic set in eighth-century Scandinavia. Two men do not know they are brothers. Einar is the son of a Viking chief; Eric lives as a slave. Both turn towards the same woman and the enmity between them grows. Behind them are the Viking raids on the English coast. What the film is most cited for is its imagery. Much of it was shot in Norway, in real fjords, and the ship scenes were filmed on water rather than in a studio. The landscape is one of the main materials. The siege of the castle and the final fight were also done with the practical methods of the period, on real sets. Kirk Douglas plays Einar and produced the film; the project was largely his initiative. Tony Curtis plays Eric and Ernest Borgnine the Viking chief. The opening narration about Viking history is by Orson Welles. Richard Fleischer directed. A solid example for anyone who likes late-1950s Hollywood epics and historical films shot on real locations. For a viewer looking for historical accuracy, the film largely fits the period to the needs of an adventure story.