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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
Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This is one of my all-time favorite fun films, and far and away the best Viking film around. I originally bought it in VHS format because that was all that was available. However, I just got the DVD version, and it is just great! They did a fabulous job remastering it--the video is very crisp and bright, doing justice to a wonderful and fun story. As I noted in the review of the VHS version, this is an unpretentious, ripping adventure film with plenty of action, good acting, and no dreary political axes to grind. Widmark, Portier and cast do a fine job.
This is the story of a gang of Vikings who steal the King's funeral ship and go on a raiding party to seize "the Mother of Voices" -- a huge golden bell "as tall as three tall men" which contains "half the gold in all the world in one place..." The Moors, led by Sidney Portier, are also after the bell, and therein lies a fine and fun tale of adventure. This is a film the whole family can watch and enjoy more than once.
Format:DVD
a fantasy movie mainly, decent acting and not a bad movie, but not that great either
By S. Mitchell
Format:DVD
Love Richard Widmark but this movie would have been better with a lighter weight actor like Tony Curtis. Entertaining but only worth renting. Russ Tamblyn is not the stature of Sydney and Richard.
Beautiful photography and effects but not a must see movie.
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4.0 out of 5 stars
Most recent customer reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Where is that golden bell?!
Finding a good viking film is never an easy task. One must wade through a lot of bad movies before discovering that rare gem. The 1964 lusty epic "The Long Ships" is not a gem. Read more
Published on Feb 14 2004 by Chris K. Wilson
3.0 out of 5 stars
Unabashed western racism......
The Long Ships is an excellent example of Eurocentric cinema. This film has to rank right up there with "Gunga Din" for unabashed western notions of white superiority. Read more
Published on Nov 7 2003
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great Matinee Entertainment
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... Read more
Published on July 6 2003 by S. Doyle
4.0 out of 5 stars
Viking--Where is the Bell ? !
I had not seen "The Long Ships" since it was released theatrically 40 years ago--yet it left a lasting impression. Read more
Published on July 1 2003 by peterfromkanata
5.0 out of 5 stars
FINALLY: THE MARE OF STEEL ON DVD!!
This is one of my favourite fantasy film. I remember seeing it at a Saturday matinee in the early 60s. Wonderful stuff. Read more
Published on Jun 28 2003 by Sam King
1.0 out of 5 stars
Hot buttered adventure
This movie plays like the second part of a double-bill matinee. Only die-hard fans of viking period pieces, or unconvincing adventure movies of the 60's, should bother watching... Read more
Published on Jun 16 2003
5.0 out of 5 stars
Memorable!
My Dad took me to see this film when I was 10, in 1964. In 1988 I took my Mum on a retirement 'journey' that ventured through Yugoslavia. Read more
Published on May 7 2003 by Raymond F. Gillis
5.0 out of 5 stars
the long ships
Finally, a digital ride on the Mare of Steel.Widmark, and Poitier play it to the max in one of the best Viking films of all time.A must see for action/adventure lovers.
Published on May 5 2003 by Justin Case
4.0 out of 5 stars
Most fun Viking Flick
Now some will tell you "Vikings" is the best or some other film. I myself have a copy of "Vikings" too. Read more
Published on Feb 25 2003 by C. A. Luster
5.0 out of 5 stars
Far and away the best Viking flick. A ripping adventure.
This is a rousing rock 'em and sock 'em Viking movie. It is far better than "The Vikings" (Kirk Douglas) which more or less launched the genre. Read more
Published on Nov 7 2002 by Roger J. Buffington
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