Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Brutal
- rousing
- colorful
- heroic
- classic adventure night
- historical epic marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly regarded the film as lavish, colorful, and exciting in its visual spectacle and action, while finding its simple story and exaggerated drama conventional.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The film prominently showcases Viking ships, fjords, battles, and rugged landscapes through lavish color cinematography.
Einar and Eric compete as opposing Viking figures while neither knows they are half-brothers.
Critics specifically described the Norse setting as a copy of a Western, with standard heroic and villainous roles adapted to Viking conflict.
The succession crisis and both brothers' motives involving Princess Morgana connect romantic desire to Northumbrian political power.
Films like The Vikings, and why
Spartacus
colorful historical swashbuckling, larger-than-life warriors, and spectacle-driven adventure
Ivanhoe
classic studio-era swordplay, romantic rivalry, and heightened historical adventure
Captain Blood
maritime adventure, charismatic fighters, and lavish widescreen action
The Adventures of Robin Hood
medieval political conflict, romance, and heroic spectacle in a commercial epic format
Movie Details
- Director
- Richard Fleischer
- Release Date
- 1958-06-11
- Runtime
- 115 min
- Rating
- 7.0 / 10 (386)
Cast
- Kirk Douglas
- Tony Curtis
- Ernest Borgnine
- Janet Leigh
- James Donald
- Alexander Knox
- Maxine Audley
- Frank Thring
- Eileen Way
- Edric Connor
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Vikings about?
- Two Viking half-brothers clash over Northumbria, love, and destiny in a flamboyant widescreen swashbuckler.
- What is The Vikings like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Vikings as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Vikings violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in The Vikings as brutal.
- What did critics think of The Vikings?
- Critics broadly regarded the film as lavish, colorful, and exciting in its visual spectacle and action, while finding its simple story and exaggerated drama conventional.
- Which films are like The Vikings?
- Films with a similar feel include Spartacus, Ivanhoe, Captain Blood, and The Adventures of Robin Hood.
- How long is The Vikings?
- The Vikings runs 115 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Vikings?
- In United States, The Vikings streams on Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads.
