The Vikings

1958, Adventure/Action, 1h 54m

21 Reviews 5,000+ Ratings

What to know

critics consensus

Despite moments of excess, The Vikings has enough balance in its larger-than-life action sequences and characters to entertain. Read critic reviews

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Movie Info

Viking Prince Einar (Kirk Douglas) doesn't know it, but his most fearsome enemy, the slave Eric (Tony Curtis), is actually his half brother. Their feud only intensifies when Einar kidnaps Princess Morgana (Janet Leigh), the intended bride of the brutal King Aella (Frank Thring). Einar intends to make the beautiful girl his own. Unfortunately for him, Morgana has eyes only for Eric -- leading to much bloodshed and the capture of their father, King Ragnar (Ernest Borgnine).
  • Genre:
    Adventure, Action
  • Original Language:
    English
  • Director:
    Richard Fleischer
  • Producer:
    Jerry Bresler
  • Writer:
    Calder Willingham
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     original
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Runtime:
  • Distributor:
    United Artists

Cast & Crew

Kirk Douglas
Einar
Tony Curtis
Eric
Janet Leigh
Morgana
Ernest Borgnine
Ragnar
James Donald
Egbert
Alexander Knox
Father Godwin
Frank Thring
Aella
Maxine Audley
Enid
Eileen Way
Kitala
Edric Connor
Sandpiper
Dandy Nichols
Bridget
Richard Fleischer
Director
Jerry Bresler
Producer
Calder Willingham
Screenwriter
Mario Nascimbene
Original Music
Jack Cardiff
Cinematographer
Harper Goff
Production Design
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News & Interviews for The Vikings

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Critic Reviews for The Vikings

All Critics (21) | Top Critics (5) | Fresh (16) | Rotten (5)
Full Review… Alex von Tunzelmann Guardian Full Review… Ian Nathan Empire Magazine Full Review… Variety Staff Variety Full Review… Bosley Crowther New York Times Full Review… Nigel Floyd Time Out Full Review… Tony Sloman Radio Times Full Review… Clyde Gilmour Maclean's Magazine Full Review… Antonio Lara El Pais (Spain) Full Review… James Evans Starburst Full Review… Jennie Kermode Eye for Film Full Review… John A. Nesbit Old School Reviews Full Review… Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews
View All Critic Reviews (21)

Audience Reviews for The Vikings

  • Sep 05, 2010
    This is a cool movie about Vikings as played by Douglas and Curtis. The movie is really exciting and the story is great, it's pretty accurate, and very dramatic as well. I enjoyed this movie.
    Aj V Super Reviewer
  • Jun 01, 2010
    Just a great epic that never lost it's sense of fun and imagination. A lot of that goes to Kirk Douglas who is the epitome of the legendary Viking, he's a brutal drunken savage. However, he's also a great character and full of emotion rather than being just a stereotype. What also makes it great is the amazing set design, costumes and score. On top of that, the story is so well done and not typical of just another love & war story. The castle invasion is probably one of the greatest battle scenes, you don't get better action than that.
    Conner R Super Reviewer
  • Feb 19, 2010
    Well made but very forgettable.
    Marcus W Super Reviewer
  • Nov 22, 2009
    i'm not a fan of 50s historical epics at all but this has to be one of the best out there. i'm sure it's utter nonsense but it IS fun. ernest borgnine as a viking king sounded ridiculous to me before i saw it but i have to say his performance is one of the highlights. why aren't there more films about vikings?
    Stella D Super Reviewer
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