Erik the Conqueror (1961)

hyped garbage

It is not deep, but it is fun to watch. It does have a bit more of an edge to it than other similar films.

A film with more than the usual spoiler issues. Talking about it in any detail feels akin to handing you a gift-wrapped present and saying, "I hope you like it -- It's a thriller about a diabolical secret experiment."

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

Virtuoso filmmaker Mario Bava turns his attention to the Viking adventure genre with generally engaging results. It's set in the 9th century when Viking aggressors are bloodily invading Britain. Two Viking brothers are separated during a battle, and are raised by opposing forces. Eron (American star Cameron Mitchell) grows up to be a fierce Viking warrior, while Erik (George Ardisson) is adopted by a young British queen (Francoise Christophe). Eron loves a vestal virgin named Daya (Ellen Kessler), while Erik takes a shine to her twin sister Rama (Alice Kessler).All in all, this is good fun, and worthy viewing for folks who enjoy a good period adventure. It's bloody, it's colourful (it ought to be - Bava photographed it himself), it benefits from obviously impressive production values, and it works as a combination of intense action, melodrama, sexiness (there are plenty of lovely ladies on hand), and even a little dose of humour. The action sequences are definitely well executed, and look especially good given that Bava actually shot this in the 2.35:1 aspect ratio, which he usually didn't do. One highlight is a wall scaling sequence that would make Spider-Man proud. The music helps immensely in making this a rousing bit of business.The performances are solid right down the line. Mitchell does fine, even if he is dubbed, and embraces the physicality of his role. Hunky Ardisson is his match as his long-lost brother. The real-life Kessler twins are positively ravishing, and Andrea Checchi is an enjoyably odious villain as the devious Sir Rutford.Fun to watch for Bava admirers, and the first of his three pictures with Mitchell - the others being "Blood and Black Lace" and "Knives of the Avenger".Eight out of 10.

It's been written that much of the output from Italian studios in the sixties were little more than remakes of movies from other countries. It's even mentioned in one of the extras on the new blu-ray release of this film. The thing is that's not always a bad thing. Consider that a movie like A FISTFUL OF DOLLARS was a remake of YOKIMBO, a Japanese samurai film. The same was true of THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN here in the U.S. Putting your own spin on another film can work and did. Unfortunately not so much in current fare.Director Mario Bava was a man who had one of the best concepts of visualization when it came to cinematography. The images he places on the screen are interesting and captivating. That becomes obvious in this movie, a remake of sorts of the film THE VIKINGS. While I loved that original film I found much to enjoy in this one as well.In 786 AD a Viking king Harald lands on the shores of England willing to make peace with the English, a country he and his kin have plundered for years in the North Sea. King Loter is willing to agree to terms and sends Sir Rutford to negotiate the peace. Instead, Rutford ceases the opportunity to take out the Vikings with an ambush, killing the king leaving only a few to escape. He also uses them as a patsy when he has one of his men kill Loter as well.Some of the Vikings survive. Among those still alive are the Harald's two sons Eron and Erik. Eron is rescued and returned home while Erik is saved by the Queen and raised as her own. Both are raised differently with two opposing views of the world based on their environments.Twenty years pass and the Vikings are now led by Eron (Cameron Mitchell). Once again they set out to plunder the English coastline and seek vengeance for the treachery of the past. Erik has been placed in charge of the English fleet and sets out to confront them, not realizing that Rutford has planted one of his own men onboard to ensure Erik never makes it back. The unknowing brothers battle and Erik is thought lost at sea only to wash ashore on the beaches of the Viking land.Rutford offers the Queen his hand in marriage which she refuses realizing how treacherous he is. Rebuffed he offers his obedience to Enron and becomes his ally instead.We know that eventually the two brothers will face off against one another and that a winner will be determined. If not something else will interfere with their reunion. Rutford will have to pay for his actions. And somehow, the Vikings and the English will have to settle their differences. It is the journey to these things that makes this movie both interesting and entertaining to watch.Growing up in the sixties the sword and sandal movies as they were called were a staple of my TV movie diet. They showed every week on the local VHS channel, everything from Hercules to his many sons to Samson and more. Watching them now I'm surprised how much I enjoyed them but still find something in them. Somehow this movie evaded me back then. Fortunately I made up for it with this release.The acting here isn't nearly as broad as I've seen it in other Italian movies in this genre. Make no mistake, they were the leaders in this sort of film back then. Here the acting is more subdued when needed and widely open in other scenes as called for. Mitchell, an actor mostly associated with the TV western HIGH CHAPPARAL, comes off nicely here. But it is the visual stylings of Bava that take center stage. The movie might not be Oscar worthy but it does offer solid storytelling that holds your interest throughout.I've seen a number of these movies and never have I seen someone capture such colorful and fantastic shots. Bava used brightly colored lights in many of his movies and that usage of light is on display here in scenes taking place in the Vikings main building. He also does an amazing job capturing shorelines, horizons and more. Many of those images would make great pictures to be placed on the wall they are so rich and well done.Once again Arrow Video has taken what was once a washed out scratched up mess and turned it into a gorgeous presentation. It's a beautiful 2k 1080p hi def transfer and it shows. Extras include a new audio commentary track by Tim Lucas the author of MARIO BAVA ALL THE COLORS OF THE DARK, GLI IMITATORI a comparison between this film and its unacknowledged source THE VIKINGS, the original ending and a reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Graham Humphreys. I will continue to sing the praises of Arrow Video as long as their output remains as top of the line as this one proves. If you enjoyed the film in the past then by all means pick up this edition. It will be like seeing the film as you've never had the chance before.

One of my favourite movies of all time is the Kirk Douglas-produced adventure saga THE VIKINGS.  I love that movie.I've known of the Viking film ERIK THE CONQUEROR for years but just never got round to watching it.  I suspect I thought there was no way this Italian-produced spectacle could come anywhere near Douglas' vision.  After all, ERIK THE CONQUEROR is a film that intentionally invites comparisons to the Douglas film.Well I'm sorry I waited so long! With a beautiful new Blu-ray and DVD transfer from Arrow Video, ERIK THE CONQUEROR can now be enjoyed in all its restored glory.And what a magnificent film it is!  Directed by the Cinematographer-turned-Director Mario Bava, a cult favourite whose reputation is predominantly based on his being a master of horror films--sort of a Grand Guignol/Italian Alfred Hitchcock--ERIK THE CONQUEROR is packed with glorious compositions, opulent colours and action and spectacle galore.And of course, being one of the first "Sex & Sandal" films, it has beautiful women in skimpy outfits.  It is when pursuing some of these more questionable elements that it becomes apparent that ERIK THE CONQUEROR is not as good a film as THE VIKINGS.  But it is still a superb film in its own right. (And I have nothing against women in skimpy outfits--I'm just saying that sometimes giving sway to more sensational content can compromise the artistic intent of a film. Sometimes.) Instead of watching with a critical attitude: "Oh, that's a rip-off of THE VIKINGS", it makes much more sense to simply enjoy the comparisons.  One of the extras on the new release does just that, it compares the two movies, sometimes with segments from each film shown side by side.  This is almost as fun as watching the movie.  Yes, there are two brothers at the core of the story whose strained relationship accounts for much of the drama.  Yes, there is a stunning sequence when Erik climbs a drawbridge with the help of strategically-placed arrows from his dead-eye archers, a sequence that is so obviously inspired by (better than "a rip-off of") the scene in THE VIKINGS when Kirk Douglas climbs a drawbridge with the help of several battle axes which have been thrown by his men to help him gain access to the enemy's castle.  ERIK THE CONQUEROR is full of segments like this.If there is one element that stood out for me as being superior to THE VIKINGS it was the way several shots of the sky looked like paintings, especially during battle scenes.  It is one of the major achievements of ERIK THE CONQUEROR. It brought to mind Kubrick at his visual best, i.e. BARRY LYNDON.But when you get right down to it, THE VIKINGS remains a superior movie to ERIK THE CONQUEROR.  Why?  Sheer star power.  Kirk-Tony-Ernie-Janet, as well as some solid supporting actors like James Donald and Frank Thring give THE VIKINGS a weight that ERIK THE CONQUEROR simply can't match.  Cameron Mitchell is the only star of note.  He is terrific, though saddled by being 20 years too old for the part. That and having his lines dubbed into Italian while the English subtitles and his mouth movements clearly match.  Some of the Italian actors are terrible, including one sad attempt at comic relief.  Were Cameron Mitchell (a really wonderful actor who never got his big break) supported with actors of greater or equal talent, ERIK THE CONQUEROR may have transcended its status as a B movie.  A brilliant B movie, but a B movie, nonetheless.Still, ERIK THE CONQUEROR will appeal to action fans as being one of the very best of its kind.

Mario Bava really outdoes himself with this story of two brothers separated in infancy, who grow to be rival leaders in a battle between Scandanavia and Britian.This yarn, replete with monumental battle sequences on both land and sea, magnificent coastal and interior castle settings, and bravura use of color simply amazes in its ambitious achievements.The film opens with a battle sequence on the seashore, by turns both thrilling and horrifying as the soldiers meet with death by spear while the nearby coastal village is burned, with women and children scattering to their doom.With this breathless sequence, Mr. Bava introduces the audience to a breakneck pace that never lets up.The story such as it is, is played engagingly on the level of an Errol Flynn film, intelligent enough for adults, but close enough to a comic book for whatever youngsters may be in the audience.It is, however, the visuals that linger in the mind: a grotto with an enormous twisted tree upon which are bound two captured adulterers, bathed in that phosphorescent green light that Mr. Bava was so adept at casting; a stunning vista of the seashore at twilight with two women in billowing robes silhouetted against a sky banked with tempestuous cloud formations, Georges Ardisson and his mother flanked by flaming braziers, amidst tall stalagmites, in a setting that might be from Dante's Inferno, (and recalls a similar setting in Orson Welle's "Macbeth" and countless others.Mr. Bava painted his masterpieces not on canvas but on celluloid.The cast is both attractive and serviceable, with Mr. Ardisson and the luscious Kessler Twins deserving of special commendation. Indeed the Misses Kessler, (as Vestal Virgins) perform a sword dance with such delicacy and intricate footwork that it is easy to see why their cabaret act was once the toast of Europe.Highly enjoyable for fans of the genre.