Erik the Viking
A Viking seeks to end Ragnarök by reaching Asgard.
Terry Jones wrote and directed the 1989 British comedy-fantasy film Erik the Viking, in which he also played King Arnulf. The movie was based on his 1983 children's book The Saga of Erik the Viking, but has a completely different plot.
Quick Facts
- Director
- Terry Jones
- Producer
- John C. Goldstone
- Based on
- The Saga of Erik the Viking, Terry Jones
- Starring
- Tim Robbins
- Terry Jones
- Eartha Kitt
- Mickey Rooney
- Tsutomu Sekine
- John Cleese
- Antony Sher
- Imogen Stubbs
- Music
- Neil Innes
- Cinematography
- Ian Wilson
- Editing
- George Akers
- Studio
- Prominent Features; Svensk Filmindustri
Facts from the source article.
Plot
Erik, a young Viking troubled by his lack of taste for rape and pillage, feels guilt over the death of an innocent woman, Helga. The wise woman Freya tells him that Fenrir the wolf has swallowed the sun, bringing the age of Ragnarök. Erik decides to travel to Asgard to petition the gods to end it. Freya instructs him to find the Horn Resounding in Hy-Brasil: the first note will take him and his crew to Asgard, the second will awaken the gods, and the third will bring them home. Erik assembles a crew from his village, including Harald, a Christian missionary who rejects the myths. Keitel Blacksmith, persuaded by his apprentice Loki, secretly opposes Erik and joins the crew to sabotage him. Loki informs Halfdan the Black, a warlord who fears peace will end his rule, and Halfdan pursues Erik. In Hy-Brasil, a sunlit land of friendly people dressed like ancient Greeks, Erik falls in love with Princess Aud, daughter of King Arnulf. Aud warns that bloodshed on Hy-Brasil will sink the island. Erik defends Hy-Brasil from Halfdan's ship; Loki is found aboard and pretends to have sneaked on to sabotage it. King Arnulf gives Erik the Horn Resounding, which is much larger than expected. Loki steals the mouthpiece and persuades Keitel to throw it into the sea. Snorri catches them, and Loki kills him; a drop of blood triggers an earthquake that sinks the island.
Production
Principal photography took place at Shepperton Studios in England, with village and environment footage shot in Norway and the Hy-Brasil sequence filmed in Malta. Tolkien artist Alan Lee contributed artwork, and Neil Innes composed the music score. Tom Hulce, star of Amadeus, was originally cast as Erik but chose to pursue his stage career instead. The Monty Python company Prominent Features produced the film with financial backing from Swedish Svensk Filmindustri. The film premiered in Sweden on 1 September 1989, followed by the US on 22 September and the UK on 29 September. In 2006, Jones delegated re-editing to his son Bill, who produced a 75-minute 'Director's Son's Cut' with re-ordered scenes, tighter pacing, and a remixed soundtrack. Graham Thompson adapted the film into a 1989 comic book, and a Nintendo Entertainment System video game by Eurocom was cancelled before release.
Reception
On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a 50% approval rating from 20 critics. Variety gave a positive review, calling the premise of a Viking who questions rape and pillage amusing and concluding it was an enjoyable film. Vincent Canby of The New York Times rated it 3 out of 5, noting it does not match the best Python films but consistently entertains despite some failed gags and obscured dialogue. Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times gave it 0 out of 4 stars, describing it as an utterly worthless exercise in waste and wretched excess lacking humor, wit, or coherence. Chris Willman of the Los Angeles Times gave a negative review, calling it a stillborn comedy with minutes between attempted gags and no viable punch lines. The film earned £845,436 in the UK.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who stars in Erik the Viking?
Erik the Viking stars Tim Robbins, Terry Jones, Eartha Kitt, Mickey Rooney, Tsutomu Sekine, John Cleese, Antony Sher and Imogen Stubbs.
How long is Erik the Viking?
Erik the Viking has a running time of 107 minutes.
How much did Erik the Viking earn at the box office?
Erik the Viking grossed $1,932,642.
Who distributed Erik the Viking?
Erik the Viking was distributed by United International Pictures (United Kingdom) and Svensk Filmindustri (Sweden).
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