- Actors: Don Murray, Carita, Donald Houston, Andrew Keir, Adrienne Corri
- Directors: Don Chaffey
- Writers: John Temple-Smith, Clarke Reynolds
- Producers: John Temple-Smith
- Format: Colour, Dolby, DVD-Video, Letterboxed, NTSC, Widescreen
- Language English
- Region: All Regions
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9 - 1.85:1
- Number of discs: 1
- Classification: Unrated (US MPAA rating. See details.)
- Studio: Starz / Anchor Bay
- DVD Release Date: 6 April 1999
- Run Time: 91 minutes
- Average Customer Review: 2.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B00000IBRO
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 106,662 in Film & TV (See Top 100 in Film & TV)
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
14 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
"Warn your men there are blue bandits about!" The Viking Queen is utter nonsense of the most enjoyable kind. There are no Vikings, although there are plenty of Romans and the odd wristwatch in this low-budget and wildly anachronistic attempt at a British peplum more or less inspired by Boudicca's ill-fated rebellion against the Roman Empire that makes full use of the Irish scenery, the Irish Army and Irish tax breaks. Hammer's latest disposable discovery Carita takes the lead with Don Murray playing the Roman-tic interest that would have been played by Rory Calhoun or Steve Reeves in an Italian film, their budding love thwarted as they find themselves on opposite sides thanks to plotting Roman officers (the ever-undervalued Andrew Keir) and devious druids (Donald Houston, dressed up like the Ghost of Christmas Past and hamming it up mightily) stirring things up. Period accuracy is less a factor than what costumes they have left over from other pictures, leading to some interesting sartorial clashes while it's hard to take characters seriously when they're given names like Priam and Nigel, but the setting is just an excuse for the odd bit of sadism, torture, sacrifice and the odd skirmish en route to the inevitable tragic ending. The battle scenes are clumsily handled by director Don Chaffey, but the supporting cast are rather better than the script deserves - Patrick Troughton, Niall MacGinnis (both surprisingly good), Adrienne Corri, Nicola Pagett, Percy Herbert and Wilfred Lawson among them - it's nicely photographed by Zulu's Stephen Dade and it's more than passable brains-off entertainment.
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
The Viking Queen is a fictional historical epic released by Hammer in 1967. The story follows Queen Salina, a beautiful warrior who leads an uprising against the Romans in first century Britain. The film is loosely based on the legend of Boudicca, with more than a hint of Romeo and Juliet thrown in.
Salina is played by 23-year-old busty blonde Carita Jarvinen (a model from Finland). Her acting skills are limited, but she is incredibly easy on the eye. Unlike many Hammer actors, Carita's voice was not dubbed, so we get to hear her sexy Scandinavian accent. Don Murray plays Justinian a high-ranking Roman who falls in love with Salina. He's a decent actor, and looks good in his Roman outfit. But why on earth did he deliver his lines in his native Californian accent?
The main problem with this film isn't the acting however - it's the blatant disregard for actual events. Historical accuracy was never one Hammer's strengths (for further evidence see their humans vs. dinosaurs epic One Million Years BC). The Druids in particular come off badly here - portrayed as a bunch of wild-eyed nutters who worship Zeus?! And despite its title - there are no Vikings to be seen anywhere.
The Viking Queen does not have the look or feel of a Hammer film. And Hammer regulars are thin on the ground, though Andrew Keir, Adrienne Corri and Patrick Troughton all have sizable roles. The second half of the film is darker in tone than the first. There is a whipping scene that is particularly nasty (more so considering the DVD is certified PG).
There are some good points to found in The Viking Queen. It was filmed in Ireland and the exterior scenes feature some stunning scenery. The film looks like it was made on a much larger budget than other Hammer productions. There is a very good chariot race across the Irish countryside near the beginning. And the film ends (rather abruptly) with a reasonably well-staged battle scene.
The quality of the picture and sound are faultless on this DVD release. It is presented in full-screen. There are no subtitles available. The only extra is a trailer.
Despite its numerous faults, The Viking Queen is more enjoyable than one might expect. It is well paced, never boring, and the 90-minute running time flies by. I'd recommend this DVD as something to watch on a cold, wet afternoon when you wish to stay indoors and switch off your brain.
Note: legend has it The Viking Queen features a Roman soldier wearing a wrist watch - but I couldn't spot it.
Salina is played by 23-year-old busty blonde Carita Jarvinen (a model from Finland). Her acting skills are limited, but she is incredibly easy on the eye. Unlike many Hammer actors, Carita's voice was not dubbed, so we get to hear her sexy Scandinavian accent. Don Murray plays Justinian a high-ranking Roman who falls in love with Salina. He's a decent actor, and looks good in his Roman outfit. But why on earth did he deliver his lines in his native Californian accent?
The main problem with this film isn't the acting however - it's the blatant disregard for actual events. Historical accuracy was never one Hammer's strengths (for further evidence see their humans vs. dinosaurs epic One Million Years BC). The Druids in particular come off badly here - portrayed as a bunch of wild-eyed nutters who worship Zeus?! And despite its title - there are no Vikings to be seen anywhere.
The Viking Queen does not have the look or feel of a Hammer film. And Hammer regulars are thin on the ground, though Andrew Keir, Adrienne Corri and Patrick Troughton all have sizable roles. The second half of the film is darker in tone than the first. There is a whipping scene that is particularly nasty (more so considering the DVD is certified PG).
There are some good points to found in The Viking Queen. It was filmed in Ireland and the exterior scenes feature some stunning scenery. The film looks like it was made on a much larger budget than other Hammer productions. There is a very good chariot race across the Irish countryside near the beginning. And the film ends (rather abruptly) with a reasonably well-staged battle scene.
The quality of the picture and sound are faultless on this DVD release. It is presented in full-screen. There are no subtitles available. The only extra is a trailer.
Despite its numerous faults, The Viking Queen is more enjoyable than one might expect. It is well paced, never boring, and the 90-minute running time flies by. I'd recommend this DVD as something to watch on a cold, wet afternoon when you wish to stay indoors and switch off your brain.
Note: legend has it The Viking Queen features a Roman soldier wearing a wrist watch - but I couldn't spot it.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Queen Salina (not really a Viking queen but who cares!), played by Finnish model Carita, succeeds her father to the Kingdom of the Iceni during the Roman occupation of Britain. She falls in love with 'just' Roman governor Don Muarry but their love is thwarted by the machinations of the Zeus worshipping Druids led by a very hammy Donald Houston and the governor's second in command Andrew Keir, who both wish for war.
Ignore the historical inaccuracies and the complete unepic nature of it all because I very much doubt that Hammer wished to make a serious historical epic along the lines of Ben Hur. It's silly and enjoyable fun.
Saying that, Doctor Who Patrick Troughton, the queen's advisor, is brilliant as ever.
Ignore the historical inaccuracies and the complete unepic nature of it all because I very much doubt that Hammer wished to make a serious historical epic along the lines of Ben Hur. It's silly and enjoyable fun.
Saying that, Doctor Who Patrick Troughton, the queen's advisor, is brilliant as ever.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
More Hammer nonsense
Of course I bought this film to see the Queen (like everyone else). I was not disappointed on that front (or by her front and accent). Read more
Published 2 months ago by MrViewer
High hokum
Why the title Viking Queen? Who knows - particularly cares in this historical(ish) romp through Hammer history. Read more
Published 16 months ago by H. T. Davies
Hammer movies
I remember seeing this film many years ago and thought I would add it to my collection.It is not the best of Hammer films, nor the best of the adventure type - unlike Pirates of... Read more
Published 17 months ago by S. Holmes
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