| | | A Middle Ages Crisis.
Features: DVD, Widescreen, Aspect Ratio 1.85:1, English, Subtitled, French, Spanish, Sensormatic
Ever since he accidentally killed a girl he was just getting to like, Erik (Tim Robbins) has been moody. Fed up with the emptiness of life in the Dark Ages, he leads a quest to wake the gods and bring back the sun...and the girl, if she'll have him. But along the way, Erik will have to face formidable obstacles, including a dragon with hay fever, tone-deaf islanders who love to sing, and a warlord (John Cleese) who likes his Ages dark and nasty!
"...this Scandinavian sea-roving satire is heavier than Thor's hammer and broader than Brunhild's behind." Rita Kempley, The Washington Post
"Invigorating, upside-down Python sensibility!" The New York Times
Editor's Note
Tim Robbins stars as Erik the Viking, a thoughtful man in a violent time who does not enjoy killing and raping like the rest of his people. When he accidentally kills a woman while defending her, he reevaluates his life and goes off in search of the Horn Resounding, which has the power to bring him to his true home--and end the Age of Ragnarok, bringing peace to the kingdom. To get there he has to lead a pathetic group of seasick sailors through the Gates of the World and into sunlight, on their way to Valhalla. But all threatens to come undone when the local blacksmith plots to sabotage the journey to protect his lucrative weapons business. The film includes wonderfully unexpected turns from Mickey Rooney and Eartha Kitt and an especially funny performance by John Cleese as a torturing warlord who enjoys having men killed in myriad creative ways. The film is more similar in tone to Terry Gilliam's JABBERWOCKY than to any of the Monty Python farces.
Plot Summary
Erik, a fine specimen of Viking-hood, one day questions the ethics of his livelihood-- daily raping and pillaging--and sets out on a journey in search of enlightenment and the Gods of Valhalla. His men become adept at creating chaos on this wacky adventure.
| Features | Audio: English Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound | | Interactive Menus | | Scene Selection | | Subtitles: English, French, Spanish |
| Technical Info
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Release Information
| | Studio: Mgm Entertainment |
| Release Date: 9/23/2008 |
| Running Time: 75 minutes |
| Original Release Date: 1989 | | Catalog ID: 108319 | | UPC: 00027616083173 | | Number of Discs: 1 |
Audio & Video
| | Original Language: English | | Available Audio Tracks: English | | Available Subtitles: English, French, Spanish | | Video: Color |
Aspect Ratio | | Widescreen 1.85:1 |
| Cast & Crew | Eartha Kitt | | John Cleese | | Mickey Rooney | | Tim Robbins | | Gavin Bocquet - Art Director | | George Akers - Editor | | Ian Wilson - Cinematographer | | John Beard Beard - Production Designer | | John Goldstone - Producer | | Neil Innes - Original Music By | | Roger Cain - Art Director | | Terry Glinwood - Executive Producer | | Terry Jones - Director | | Terry Jones - Writer |
| Memorable Quotes| "Many of the greatest sailors were pukers."----Thorfinn Skullsplitter (Richard Ridings) | | "Being nice to each other is what it's all about."----the people of Hy Brasil |
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| | Professional Reviews | New York Times
"...[ERIK THE VIKING] has much of the invgorating upside-down Python sensibility....Robbins more than holds his comic own..." 10/28/1989 p.13Total Film
3 stars out of 5 -- "Tim Robbins as Erik practically squirms with glee in his quest to reach Asgard and return sunlight to his stricken, squinting townsfolk, while a smattering of the usual suspects lend proceedings an alluring cosiness." 12/01/2006 p.129 Sight and Sound
"Tim Robbins is engaging as the ingenuous young here Erik, and some of the supporting cast give entertaining, pantomime-style performances." 12/01/2006 p.88 Variety 8 of 10
The idea of telling the story of a Viking warrior who thought there must be more to life than rape and pillage is an amusing one, and for the most part Erik the Viking is an enjoyable film...Pic opens with Erik (Tim Robbins) falling in love with a girl just as he kills her. Spurred by her death he decides to try and bring the Age of Ragnarok - where men fight and kill - to an end...He sets off with an unruly band of followers - including the local blacksmith who wants Ragnarok to continue as it helps his sword-making business - and is pursued by Halfdan the Black (John Cleese), the local warlord who quite enjoys Ragnarok and wants it to continue...American Tim Robbins is fine as the softly spoken and sensitive Erik, and especially seems to enjoy himself in the battle scenes. The film's great strength, though, is the Viking crew, which is full of wonderful characters, such as Tim McInnerny's manic Sven the Berserk, heavily disguised Antony Sher's scheming Loki and best of all Freddie Jones' put-upon missionary.
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