Review of The Long Ships

This is what is often referred to as " a good bad movie". For sheer rowdy, swashbuckling fun, it's hard to beat. Two Viking brothers steal their king's funeral ship and his daughter, and set off with a bold Viking crew to find the legendary treasure of the great golden bell.But they have some pretty rough competition in the form of a Moorish prince and his warriors, who also want the fabulous prize. This movie has got everything: storms at sea, land battles, orgies, beautiful women, romance, and enough macho men for a dozen movies. The long ships of the title are beautifully recreated craft that look quite authentic as the crews make their way through dangerous waters and reefs. The Eastern European locations used as background are wonderful to see, and add authenticity. A colorful cast includes a sardonic Richard Widmark as the older brother, with Russ Tamblyn his idealistic younger sibling. Their cantankerous father is played by character actor Oscar Homolka. Many well known British character actors make up the Vikings, including Gordon Jackson and Colin Blakely. But the biggest surprise of the movie is Sidney Poitier, who is incredibly menacing as the Moorish prince. He has a gleam of something close to madness in his eyes, and a quiet voice that is more threatening than a blustering delivery. He and Widmark are obviously having a great time playing these larger than life characters, and the grandiose, heroic music fits wonderfully with the rousing story. For an unapologetically good time at the movies, lovers of adventure should not miss this one.