# Looking for decent "Viking" type films **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 22, 2013, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-decent-viking-type-films/656396 "2013-04-22T14:06:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![chargerrich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chargerrich/32/5399_2.png) [@chargerrich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chargerrich)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2013, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-decent-viking-type-films/656396/1 "2013-04-22T14:06:20Z")
Looking for help to name/source some decent movies that depict the “Viking Age”. Pure fiction/fantasy is perfectly fine as well, not looking necessarily for historical fact. I have been watching 'The Vikings" on History Channel and that has been enjoyable. Also went back and watched 13th Warrior which despite its mediocre ratings and being pure fantasy, I rather enjoyed. But their does not seem to be much else out there that I can find, so I would love some direction/recommendations. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2013, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-decent-viking-type-films/656396/2 "2013-04-22T14:41:26Z")
The recent animated [_Beowulf_](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beowulf_%282007_film%29) - there was a live-action one filmed in Iceland around the same time, I think called _Beowulf & Grendel_ The [_Secret of Kells_](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Secret_of_Kells) Not _Pathfinder_, which is crap. Oh, I forgot, [Valhalla Rising](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valhalla_Rising_%28film%29) was quite good, if arty. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2013, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-decent-viking-type-films/656396/3 "2013-04-22T14:45:52Z")
Don’t watch [Eric the Viking](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097289/). ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2013, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-decent-viking-type-films/656396/4 "2013-04-22T14:48:19Z")
“The Long Ships” (1964) is a fun movie. Richard Widmark seems to act as though he knows this is all fluff and fun, but Sidney Poitier acts as though it’s Shakespeare. ---
**Author:** ![Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/prof.pepperwinkle/32/13627_2.png) [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prof.Pepperwinkle)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2013, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-decent-viking-type-films/656396/5 "2013-04-22T14:57:28Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > Don’t watch [Eric the Viking](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097289/). _This._ Really, unless you have a love for Monty Python that is greater than the love for your own brain, don’t watch it. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2013, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-decent-viking-type-films/656396/6 "2013-04-22T14:58:42Z")
I know Viking-minded folks who like this: [The 13th Warrior - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Thirteenth_Warrior) ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2013, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-decent-viking-type-films/656396/7 "2013-04-22T15:01:18Z")
_Outlander_ is quite good. Spaceman lands in a Viking village, bringing a pursuing alien/dragon with him. ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2013, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-decent-viking-type-films/656396/8 "2013-04-22T15:13:13Z")
Okay, since nobody else appears willing to give it a plug, I’ll present [The Vikings (1958)](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0052365/?ref_=sr_3) which was my first exposure to a Viking themed movie. The music was a big part of it, and Kirk Douglas was in fine form. Tony Curtis was a bit miscast but Janet Leigh compensated for that in the looks department. Ernest Borgnine was the most fun. I’ve seen it again in recent times and it’s obviously “of that period” but still fun, if only for geezers. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2013, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-decent-viking-type-films/656396/9 "2013-04-22T15:13:59Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > I know Viking-minded folks who like this: [The 13th Warrior - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Thirteenth_Warrior) It actually is a perfectly decent movie. Just one thing: pretend that they ran out of money for props and had to equip the viking warriors with whatever armor and weapons they could find in the studio warehouse. Otherwise, you might find yourself asking questions like “What is that viking doing in conquistador armor?” ---
**Author:** ![Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/intergalactic_gladiator/32/112_2.png) [@Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Intergalactic_Gladiator)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2013, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-decent-viking-type-films/656396/10 "2013-04-22T15:14:28Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > I know Viking-minded folks who like this: [The 13th Warrior - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Thirteenth_Warrior) I liked this movie. I thought it unfairly got poor reviews when it came out and I never thought it was the GREATEST MOVIE EVER but I thought it was decent and worked well for what it was. ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2013, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-decent-viking-type-films/656396/11 "2013-04-22T16:37:53Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > Otherwise, you might find yourself asking questions like “What is that viking doing in conquistador armor?” And if know any thing about metallurgy, try not to wince at the scene where a great sword ( the the Vikings also did not use, far as we know ) is cut down to a scimitar :D. Or the fact that the Arabs weren’t using scimitars back then anyway. Or that the Vikings were mounted on big destriers instead of shaggy little ponies. Or…well you get the idea. But generally I’m in agreement with the very mild love for **The Thirteenth Warrior**. Hardly an instant classic, but kinda enjoyable. Helps that I rather like the [book it is based on](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eaters_of_the_Dead). Actually kind of an interesting contrast with the other Beowulf-themed films, especially the animated version ( which I also think is pretty decent _as a story_ ). ETA: Oh and ignore those **Erik the Viking** naysayers. It sorta sucks, sure - but it is also kind of fun :p. ---
**Author:** ![RikWriter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/49beb7/32.png) [@RikWriter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RikWriter)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2013, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-decent-viking-type-films/656396/12 "2013-04-22T16:43:36Z")
The best thing about the Thirteenth Warrior was the actors who played the Norsemen. They very much looked the part and weren’t bad actors either. ---
**Author:** ![mbh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2013, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-decent-viking-type-films/656396/13 "2013-04-22T17:01:16Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > Not _Pathfinder_, which is crap. Which one? The [American re-make](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0446013/?ref_=sr_1), which I have not seen, sounds pretty bad, based on the imdb listing. The [Norwegian original](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093668/?ref_=sr_1), which I have seen, was awesome. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2013, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-decent-viking-type-films/656396/14 "2013-04-22T17:06:36Z")
> [@RikWriter](#): > > The best thing about the Thirteenth Warrior was the actors who played the Norsemen. They very much looked the part and weren’t bad actors either. It’s a pity so many of them spoke with Irish accents. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2013, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-decent-viking-type-films/656396/15 "2013-04-22T17:16:49Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > “What is that viking doing in conquistador armor?” He needed it to leave the helmet in New Zealand. ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2013, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-decent-viking-type-films/656396/16 "2013-04-22T17:24:09Z")
> [@Quartz](#): > > It’s a pity so many of them spoke with Irish accents. But oddly enough _that_ actually is somewhat closer to being historically accurate. The Vikings were settling in Ireland by the mid-9th century and were taking Irish wives ( you start finding Viking with Celtic names in the second generation ). So Gaelicized Vikings even as far abroad as Russia wouldn’t have been that shocking in the 10th century, which is when the movie is set. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Hamster\_King](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8edcca/32.png) [@The\_Hamster\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Hamster_King)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2013, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-decent-viking-type-films/656396/17 "2013-04-22T17:26:50Z")
> [@Zeldar](#): > > Okay, since nobody else appears willing to give it a plug, I’ll present [The Vikings (1958)](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0052365/?ref_=sr_3) which was my first exposure to a Viking themed movie. The music was a big part of it, and Kirk Douglas was in fine form. Tony Curtis was a bit miscast but Janet Leigh compensated for that in the looks department. Ernest Borgnine was the most fun. > > I’ve seen it again in recent times and it’s obviously “of that period” but still fun, if only for geezers. _The Vikings_ is a great movie. It’s remarkably historically accurate for a big Hollywood production, and surprisingly violent for its time. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim_r.mortiss/32/142_2.png) [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_R.Mortiss)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2013, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-decent-viking-type-films/656396/18 "2013-04-22T18:05:51Z")
> [@Zeldar](#): > > Okay, since nobody else appears willing to give it a plug, I’ll present [The Vikings (1958)](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0052365/?ref_=sr_3) which was my first exposure to a Viking themed movie. The music was a big part of it, and Kirk Douglas was in fine form. Tony Curtis was a bit miscast but Janet Leigh compensated for that in the looks department. Ernest Borgnine was the most fun. > > I’ve seen it again in recent times and it’s obviously “of that period” but still fun, if only for geezers. I opened this thread to mention this movie. One of my all time favorites. And the Orson Welles opening narration is awesome! I frequently use a quote from this film, too: “Love. Hate. Two horns on the same goat!” ---
**Author:** ![chargerrich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chargerrich/32/5399_2.png) [@chargerrich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chargerrich)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2013, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-decent-viking-type-films/656396/19 "2013-04-22T18:08:20Z")
> [@RikWriter](#): > > The best thing about the Thirteenth Warrior was the actors who played the Norsemen. They very much looked the part and weren’t bad actors either. Yes! Yes! Yes! [Vladimir Kulich](http://www.google.com/search?q=Asbj%C3%B8rn+%27Bear%27+Riis&bav=on.2,or.r_qf.&bvm=bv.45512109,d.b2I&biw=1366&bih=638&safe=active&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hl=en&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=w3t1UdakHsHk2AXT34DICA#um=1&safe=active&hl=en&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=vladimir+kulich&oq=vla&gs_l=img.1.8.0l10.29501.29932.8.33361.3.3.0.0.0.0.188.334.2j1.3.0...0.0...1c.1.9.img.a950Fnc6V3M&bav=on.2,or.r_qf.&bvm=bv.45512109,d.b2I&fp=24557fa0e3853e36&biw=1366&bih=638&imgrc=rLQtj1rGxDUeyM%3A%3Bctxtk3r5T_ErRM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fstatic.skyrim.nexusmods.com%252Fmods%252Fimages%252F16098-1-1335702960.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fskyrim.nexusmods.com%252Fmods%252F16098%3B940%3B596) and [Asbjørn Riis](http://www.google.com/search?q=Asbj%C3%B8rn+%27Bear%27+Riis&bav=on.2,or.r_qf.&bvm=bv.45512109,d.b2I&biw=1366&bih=638&safe=active&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hl=en&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=w3t1UdakHsHk2AXT34DICA#um=1&safe=active&hl=en&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=Asbj%C3%B8rn+Riis&oq=Asbj%C3%B8rn+Riis&gs_l=img.3..0j0i24l2.1973.1973.11.2849.1.1.0.0.0.0.152.152.0j1.1.0...0.0...1c.1.9.img.ZO34RiXUivg&bav=on.2,or.r_qf.&bvm=bv.45512109,d.b2I&fp=24557fa0e3853e36&biw=1366&bih=638&imgrc=MZutIdeSMCt6AM%3A%3BV7M94UKgz3TmhM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.bjorns-wrestling.dk%252FViking.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.bjorns-wrestling.dk%252Ffilm.htm%3B244%3B301) were PERFECTLY cast. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2013, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-decent-viking-type-films/656396/20 "2013-04-22T18:15:38Z")
> [@Zeldar](#): > > Okay, since nobody else appears willing to give it a plug, I’ll present [The Vikings (1958)](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0052365/?ref_=sr_3) which was my first exposure to a Viking themed movie. Thanks, I had a distant memory of Curtis as a Vike. Now wait… Kirk Douglas with one eye, his name is… _Einar_? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-decent-viking-type-films/656396.md?page=2)