Just close the curtains turn the sound up, order that take away and chill to classic acting and scenery with a smattering of limb slashing thrown in....worth a second or third watch over time. it doesn't seem to date to me
A roisterous, rowdy swashbuckler full of romance, sex and violence with Hollywood's usual warped view of history. A great adventure film though and one worth seeking out if you've never seen it. Produced and starring Kirk Douglas, who was major box office at the time, but who was notoriously difficult on set. Interesting though that he plays the anti-hero here tipping over into the bad guy at key moments in the story. This is all about the fight over a beautiful woman, in this case Janet Leigh, between the corrupt Northumbrian king (Frank Thring - always good as a slimy baddie) and Kirk Douglas' one eyed Viking warrior. Into the mix comes Tony Curtis as a slave but who may have a more interesting background who loves the same woman and this cues fights, feuds, and battles to get the girl. The great Ernest Borgnine plays the Viking boss and British stalwart James Donald is the English traitor with the knowledge to fill in all the plot points. This film fits into the big, brash, colourful matinee epic that made huge money. With the big budget came a film that rolls along at great pace, over the top characters and great fun. It's always worth checking out these great films from around the late 50s and early 60s because they never fail to entertain.