The Vikings (1958)

A barbaric Viking leader (Ernest Borgnine) sends his son (a blonde Kirk Douglas) to kidnap the Welsh princess (Janet Leigh) betrothed to an English king (Frank Thring) and then hold her for ransom. But the son and a slave (Tony Curtis) both fall in love with the Princess, unaware of the strong bond they share that could have far reaching effects. This rousing Viking saga directed by Richard Fleischer (20,000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA) is a grand adventure that benefits greatly from its authenticity. No studio sound stages here. From the stunning Norwegian locales (gorgeously shot by Jack Cardiff), the sets and the costumes, you feel like you've had a peek at history. Of course, the four leads are pure Hollywood but with the exception of Curtis, as out of his element here as in SPARTACUS, they do very well. Douglas's brashness is perfectly at home here. The action sequences are well handled, especially the final duel on a castle's precipice between Douglas and Curtis. The score by Mario Nascimbene is effective if a tad heavy handed. Unusual for its day, the film's credits come after the film rather than preceding it. Orson Welles does the narration. With James Donald, Alexander Knox, Maxine Audley and Dandy Nichols.