Dir: Terry Jones (also known for Monty Python’s Quest for the Holy Grail)
Despite my son not seeing Monty Python’s Quest for the Holy Grail yet in its entirety Monty Python carries some heavy weight around this household. And when I mean carries weight I mean with me and my son. The ladies of the house could do without Monty Python. Frankly, I could do without them doing without Monty Python but then they would do without me and I’m not doing that. So I snuck in Erik the Viking and whispered to my son “This has some of the same people as Monty Python” but made sure it wasn’t heard by anyone else.
Erik, the viking, is first seen breaking into a house in the middle of a plundering. He goes to rape a woman but fumbles around and ultimately it is revealed he doesn’t like that part of being a viking. Turns out he doesn’t like any part of the violent equation it takes to be true viking. Back in his village he is often lost in thought while his peer endlessly fight. After visiting a wise lady in the mountains he discovers that the world has been put under a spell, known as the Age of Ragnorak, that makes men violent. He learns the spell maybe broken by a fabled horn, Resounding, located on an island of Hy-Brasil. Piecing together a ragtag group of warriors (and highly unsuccessful Christian missionary) they set off to find the fabled land. Little do they know there are those that would wish to stop them because of their interest for war and killing to continue. Pursued by skeleton masked warriors and infiltrated by Loki himself, Erik bumbles his way to saving the world. Kind of.
I saw this movie when it came out and I had a very similar reaction to the one I had when I watched it again. I really wanted to like it. Maybe I did like it? But I know I really wanted to. There are no real laugh out loud parts to the film though it is full of absurd amusements. The father-son berserker duo. The ever confused Christian missionary who, due to his separate belief, is blind to all of the spectacles. The hood of invisibility that doesn’t allow the king of Hy-Brasil to see a naked Erik standing before him in his daughter’s bedroom. The optimistic tenants of High Brasil in denial of their island sinking. The fact that the Gods of Asgard are merely children. And the names of the crew, ranging from Thorfinn Skullsplitter to Ivar the Boneless. All clever gags, all done well, however, never laugh out loud funny.
Tim Robbins, as Erik, is the high point of the film. His innocent, doleful approach to the pacifist viking is right on. After donning the hood of invisibility to avoid discovery from the King of High Brasil he uses it to take on the skeleton headed warriors single handedly. When he discovers that he could be seen the whole time he perfectly faints at the revelation.
John Cleese has a small roll and probably the closest scene to true Monty Python form. Playing the evil Halfdan the Black he sits at his throne in a virtual death chamber sentencing heinous torture and execution with casual boredness. Record shows that he wasn’t originally considering the film and was a last minute addition (probably as a favor to Terry Jones) and so his character doesn’t spend enough time on the screen nor was it developed for him properly.
The opening scene is discusses rape as an activity of vikings in their raids. While it never describes what rape is, the word is thrown around quite a bit. It makes sense really because I think the list goes “loot, rape and pillage”, right? It’s part of the overall viking package! That said, as dad, I instantly sat still and waited for what all was going to be shown or said OR what the kids would say. Mom walked in at this point and said “Rape! Oh he means beat up.” Thanks Mom.
Erik the Viking is ridiculous but intelligent at the same time. Much like Monty Python in general. It certainly fits in that genre and taste of movies. Unfortunately it doesn’t have the genius of the Python films. Perhaps it isn’t fair to compare it to the Python films at all, as it never was intended to be one, but it’s similarities are so obvious it is hard not too. So, if you’re a fan of the Flying Circus you’ll enjoy (though probably not love) Erik the Viking. Your kids will probably enjoy the throwing up, fire dragon and skeleton helmets but miss any nuance of the jokes.
Mom says: “Vikings would make poor house guests.”
Suggested age: Cautious 9 (discussion of rape, implied nudity and complex jokes)
Adult Grade: B-
Kids Grade: We liked it!
Also Check out our review of the Blu-ray release HERE