Erik the Viking

(UK)

Prominent. Director Terry Jones; Producer John Goldstone; Screenplay Terry Jones; Camera Ian Wilson; Editor George Akers; Music Neil Innes; Art Director John Beard

Tim Robbins
Gary Cady
Mickey Rooney
Eartha Kitt
Terry Jones
John Cleese

The idea of telling the story of a Viking warrior who thought there must be more to life than rape and pillage is an amusing one, and for the most part Erik the Viking is an enjoyable film.

Pic opens with Erik (Tim Robbins) falling in love with a girl just as he kills her. Spurred by her death he decides to try and bring the Age of Ragnarok - where men fight and kill - to an end.

He sets off with an unruly band of followers - including the local blacksmith who wants Ragnarok to continue as it helps his sword-making business - and is pursued by Halfdan the Black (John Cleese), the local warlord who quite enjoys Ragnarok and wants it to continue.

American Tim Robbins is fine as the softly spoken and sensitive Erik, and especially seems to enjoy himself in the battle scenes. The film's great strength, though, is the Viking crew, which is full of wonderful characters, such as Tim McInnerny's manic Sven the Berserk, heavily disguised Antony Sher's scheming Loki and best of all Freddie Jones' put-upon missionary.

(Color) Available on VHS, DVD. Extract of a review from 1989. Running time: 103 MIN.

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