The Long Ships (1964)

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 Amazon.com

The Long Ships

The Long Ships

This was one of my favourite Saturday afternoon at the movies adventure movie that I was adicted to as a kid. It is very easy to enjoying this DVD for its high spirited adventure the pure nostalgic factor without having to lament that it is basically a B movie - a pretty good B movie. Besides it is a great popcorn with the kids movie and will likely be just as well received by the grandkids in a few years. Based on the enjoyable story line, it would be nice if they remade this movie, the Vikings, and Alfred the Great to the modern LOTR type standard. November 7, 2008

The Mother of all Voices

Like others I saw this film when I was a kid. Watching it now I still have the sense of fun I did when I was about ten. I'm not blind to it's faults. I love Richard Widmark but a Viking? It's a stretch to say the least. At least he doesn't have that sick Tommy Udo laugh! Russ Tamblyn -- a minor name off WEST SIDE STORY. Edward Judd (probably best remembered for Ray Harryhausen's FIRST MEN IN THE MOON) and Oscar Winner Sidney Poitier. Oscar Holmolka as Rolfe and Orm's drunken Viking lord father who gets screwed by Viking King Haraald for his death ship. A giant bells made of gold, the Mare of Steel ... it's saturday afternoon stuff to be sure. Park your disbelief outside and it's a fun movie. As such movies go, Fleischer's THE VIKINGS is far better. August 18, 2008

HORRIBLE!

THIS IS ONE OF THE WORST MOVIES I HAVE EVER WATCHED. I ONLY WATCHED PART OF IT BEFORE I THREW IT IN THE GARBAGE. TERRIBLE ACTING. SILLY PLOT. JUST A RIDICULOUS MOVIE. June 20, 2008

the longships

the product that I bought was described with great detail.I was very pleased with the purchased and the delivery.thanks william June 19, 2008

The long Ships

Saw this movie when I was 15. It made me a lifelong fan of the late Richard Widmark. March 28, 2008

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