Erik the Viking (1989)

Erik the Viking is a relentlessly silly movie. It takes the world of the vikings and their myths about Asgard and the age of Ragnarok and uses them as a backdrop to some truly ridiculous moments.

The movie is at its best in individual scenes. The overall plot of the movie is pretty jumbled and incoherent. It centers around Erik who just doesn't feel right about all the burning and pillaging that vikings engage in. He talks to an oracle/seer/wise women/whatever who essentially tells him to find the Horn Resounding and blow it three tiimes to put an end to all of this stuff. It's really just an excuse to take a vogage.

The individual gags and scenes are where this movie shines. It starts with Erik trying to attack a woman while on a raid. He clearly doesn't have a clue how to rape her or even the desire to follow through. They end up debating the economic value of looting and pillaging. There is a Catholic priest who hangs around with the vikings attempting to win converts. Of course every time he starts they tell him to shut and he quits instantly. Every time something happens out of Norse legend, the priest can't see it. He keeps asking what's happening as the vikings are panicking. Then there is John Cleese as some sort of evil ruler who assigns horrifying tortures and death penalties to people brought before him while he's trying to hold a conversation with someone else.

Don't expect any deep thought or well textured acting performances here. Expect mounds of sillines instead. This is one of those movies that will instantly suck me in if I happen to catch it on cable. This and Yellow Beard would make a great double feature.

- John Shea