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Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Looking for a rousing Viking adventure that's cheesy and entertaining? The Long Ships is just the movie for you. As England's greatest color cinematographer, Jack Cardiff had filmed 1958's The Vikings, so he was well-prepared to direct this exciting, occasionally grisly mini-epic (a British/Yugoslavian coproduction, filmed in Yugoslavia), which received mixed-to-favorable reviews when released in 1964. Back then, it was a perfect matinee marvel if you were young and impressionable, and it's still worth its weight in hot buttered popcorn. While that most contemporary of actors, Richard Widmark, is clearly out of place as a maverick Norse warrior, he's sufficiently valiant as he guides his Viking brother (Russ Tamblyn, still hot from West Side Story) and a long-ship full of warriors in search of a huge, solid-gold bell coveted by Mansuh (Sidney Poitier), a Moorish prince obsessed with retrieving the legendary bell at any cost. Treacherous maelstroms, lovely damsels, corny battles, and casual humor make The Long Ships a lot of fun--like a Ray Harryhausen adventure without the animated creatures. (Oh, and Mr. Poitier? James Brown called... he wants his hair back.) --Jeff Shannon
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
68 of 68 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Viking--Where is the Bell ? !,
By peterfromkanata (Kanata, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: The Long Ships (DVD)
I had not seen "The Long Ships" since it was released theatrically 40 years ago--yet it left a lasting impression. Of course, I am delighted that Columbia has issued this beautiful DVD--wide-screen, gorgeous colour--it is a treat to look at !
I think some of the negative reviews must come from people who took this movie far too seriously. What we have here is good, old-fashioned "hokum"--the actors knew it--the director knew it--so lighten up, and enjoy this rousing, exciting adventure. I'm sure that Widmark and Poitier realised that they were not going to win Oscars for this movie--but sometimes even the best actors like to do things that are fun ! I suspect that Widmark was in his 40s, yet like that other famous "viking"--Kirk Douglas--he obviously stayed in shape, and acquits himself well in the action scenes. Mr. Poitier must have had a ball, wearing an outlandish wig, and flowing "Moorish" robes. Movie buffs will see many familiar faces in this one, although--in a number of cases--they may not be so apparent at first. Terrific character actor, Lionel Jeffries, with heavy make-up and a top-knot, is the eunuch guarding the harem ( not too well ! )--his purpose is clearly comic relief. Stalwart British actors, David Lodge and Edward Judd, are "on board" as thick-bearded vikings. Another viking is played by that quintessential Scotsman, Gordon Jackson--I suppose some Scots might have travelled to Norway ? Clifford Evans ( on leave from Hammer Films ? ) is dignified as the viking king. Russ Tamblyn, always an acrobatic, athletic force, has his moments as the younger viking brother. Rossana Shiaffino and Beba Loncar are beautiful women--but that's all. Finally, the award for unbelievable over-acting goes to Oscar Homolka, as Widmark's ( and Tamblyn's ) father--his "drunken" scene at the mandatory "viking orgy" is quite surreal ! There are a number of memorable scenes, and I agree with other reviewers about the "Mare of Steel"--in 40 years, I never forgot it. You will not forget the poor "guinea pig" selected for a demonstration of this lethal device. Will Mr. Widmark be next ? Start chewing those finger nails ! One small criticism--as I mentioned, Columbia has done a beautiful job of presenting this film in all of it's colourful glory. However, someone in the "proof-reading" department really blew it. On the cover of the DVD case, the two stars' names are at the top--Mr. Poitier's name is spelled incorrectly. He is only one of the biggest stars in the history of film--so this glitch is unfortunate. Anyway--for history scholars and lovers of authenticity--stay away. For the rest of us who like pure entertainment, "The Long Ships" is an exciting voyage ! A very sad footnote, dated 27 March 2008--Mr. Richard Widmark has passed away at 93, after a long illness. One of the finest actors of his generation, he impressed movie fans with many fine performances--another great star gone.
29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The best Viking movie I have seen!,
By
This review is from: Long Ships [VHS] (VHS Tape)
A yarn of long ships and tall men. The long ship: one especially constructed as King Harald's funeral ship. The hero: Richard Widmark, a ne'er-do-well as crafty as Odysseus. His father: Krok, a tremendous beer-swilling thane, builder of the long ship. King Harald dupes Krok, paying him a mere two gold pieces for his two years of effort. So Rolf (RW) and his brother Orm consider it fair to steal the long ship to search for a legendary golden bell, "as tall as three tall men" to recoup their fortunes. To guard against reprisals against their family while they are absent, Rolf and Orm also kidnap the king's lovely daughter. Thereby is the stage set for the search for the bell, the pursuit by the king, and the exciting clash with the Moors, led by Sidney Poitier. If you like action and adventure, you must see this movie!
31 of 33 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great Matinee Entertainment,
By
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: The Long Ships (DVD)
I think that this DVD (super transfer)proves a point that there is still a market for this form of entertaiment and without a doubt is far superior to most of the trash we get nowadays in the cinema. Its not that often one can say that this is a Family Movie and a very good one at that. I cant wait for more titles like this
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