Vikings compete for power and the love of a woman.Vikings compete for power and the love of a woman.Vikings compete for power and the love of a woman.
Anders Randolf
- Eric the Red
- (as Anders Randolph)
Harry Woods
- Egil
- (as Harry Lewis Woods)
Claire McDowell
- Lady Editha
- (as Claire MacDowell)
Iron Eyes Cody
- Indian
- (uncredited)
Frank Ellis
- Man Who Gives Sword to Alwin
- (uncredited)
Eugene McDonald
- Minor Role
- (uncredited)
Francis McDonald
- Viking Friend of Leif
- (uncredited)
Lon Poff
- Friar Slain by Vikings
- (uncredited)
Angelo Rossitto
- Viking Dwarf
- (uncredited)
Dick Sutherland
- Viking
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaWhen the film opened at the Embassy Theatre in New York City 28 November 1928, it was still silent and was accompanied by a live orchestral accompaniment. In December 1928 a musical score was recorded, sound-on-disc, and this version was distributed by MGM in 1929.
- GoofsViking women neither shaved their underarms nor wore the strapless bustiers.
- Quotes
Title Card: A thousand years ago, long before any white man set foot on the American shore, Viking sea rovers sailed out of the north and down the waterways of the world. These were men of might, who laughed in the teeth of the tempest, and leaped into battle with a song. Plundering - ravaging - they raided the coast of Europe - until the whole world trembled at the very name - THE VIKING.
- Crazy creditsThe title card bills the three stars in the order Pauline Starke [top billing], Donald Crisp [second billing], and Le Roy Mason [third billing]. But the opening credits end with "The Players" listed in the order: first "Leif Erickson ... Donald Crisp," second "Helga . . . Pauline Starke, third "Alwin . . . Le Roy Mason," etc. The characters appear on screen in the order Alwin, Helga, and Leif Erickson.
- ConnectionsFeatured in New England Legends: Creepy Christmas (2019)
Featured review
Hollywood's major studios had used Technicolor Corporation's color technology for a number of years in the 1920s, but had limited its expensive use for just short segments within their feature films. Besides Douglas Fairbanks's 1926 "The Black Pirate," no studio went full bore in adopting the technology for its motion pictures. Technicolor had produced three films on its own to demonstrate its processes, including 1922's "The Toll of the Sea." By 1928, the company was prepared to unveil its latest color system, labeled 'Process 3' film. Among its highlights was the realistic flesh tones of its actors as well as an increase in vibrancy in colors from the previous processes. Added to its wow factor was be an embedded audio track able to play a springy musical soundtrack along with special sound effects. Its end result was the November 1928 release of "The Viking."
Viewers could readily see Technicolor's years of diligent work to get the skin tones just right: actress Pauline Starke as Helga, demonstrates the perfection of the hues with her low-cut costume exposing a ton of flesh. The abundant shots of clear blue skies and the equally aqua ocean capturing a Viking ship's journey to North America were designed to show its richer blues. The narrative was secondary to the visuals. Since the company had to have a plot within the movie, it adapted the script from Ottilie Liljencrantz's 1902 novel 'The Thrall of Leif the Lucky.' Critics complained about the lack of battle scenes, but "The Viking's" purpose was to sell the new vibrant colors to Hollywood and international film studios.
"The Viking's" plot involves Earl of Northumbria (LeRoy Mason) captured in a Viking raid. He's bought by Helga, whose guardian is Leif Ericsson, to be her slave. She falls in love with him despite the coupling being against the Norse code. Several sub-plots unfold, including the influence of Christianity on Leif Ericsson (Donald Crisp) while he and his colleagues butt heads against those who stand with the traditional paganism, a friction that plays into the Vikings' approach to North America.
Irving Thalberg, head of MGM's production, was so enthralled with the look of "The Viking" he convinced his studio to distribute the movie. The film didn't exactly light up the box office, but it did establish a working relationship between Technicolor and MGM, revolutionizing cinema in the coming years.
"The Viking's" conclusion claims the Ericsson colonization of North America took place in what is now Newport, Rhode Island, as evidence by a large tower the Danes erected there. The mysterious "Newport Tower" was later determined to be the remains of a 1650s windmill. But in 1837, a Danish archaeologist suggested it was constructed by the Vikings because he believed a Norse settlement existed from the evidence derived from the nearby Dighton Rock. In fact, Henry Longfellow wrote a poem, 'The Skeleton in Armor,' about the tower's Norse origins. The speculation has since been disproven.
Viewers could readily see Technicolor's years of diligent work to get the skin tones just right: actress Pauline Starke as Helga, demonstrates the perfection of the hues with her low-cut costume exposing a ton of flesh. The abundant shots of clear blue skies and the equally aqua ocean capturing a Viking ship's journey to North America were designed to show its richer blues. The narrative was secondary to the visuals. Since the company had to have a plot within the movie, it adapted the script from Ottilie Liljencrantz's 1902 novel 'The Thrall of Leif the Lucky.' Critics complained about the lack of battle scenes, but "The Viking's" purpose was to sell the new vibrant colors to Hollywood and international film studios.
"The Viking's" plot involves Earl of Northumbria (LeRoy Mason) captured in a Viking raid. He's bought by Helga, whose guardian is Leif Ericsson, to be her slave. She falls in love with him despite the coupling being against the Norse code. Several sub-plots unfold, including the influence of Christianity on Leif Ericsson (Donald Crisp) while he and his colleagues butt heads against those who stand with the traditional paganism, a friction that plays into the Vikings' approach to North America.
Irving Thalberg, head of MGM's production, was so enthralled with the look of "The Viking" he convinced his studio to distribute the movie. The film didn't exactly light up the box office, but it did establish a working relationship between Technicolor and MGM, revolutionizing cinema in the coming years.
"The Viking's" conclusion claims the Ericsson colonization of North America took place in what is now Newport, Rhode Island, as evidence by a large tower the Danes erected there. The mysterious "Newport Tower" was later determined to be the remains of a 1650s windmill. But in 1837, a Danish archaeologist suggested it was constructed by the Vikings because he believed a Norse settlement existed from the evidence derived from the nearby Dighton Rock. In fact, Henry Longfellow wrote a poem, 'The Skeleton in Armor,' about the tower's Norse origins. The speculation has since been disproven.
- springfieldrental
- May 24, 2022
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Details
Box office
- Budget
- $325,000 (estimated)
- Runtime1 hour 30 minutes
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