Mario Bava classic with Cameron Mitchell and George (Giorgio) Ardisson
In addition to "Vampire gegen Herakles / Vampires Against Heracles" (1961) with Reg Park and Giorgio Ardisson, the Italian cult director Mario Bava (1914-1980) also created this peplum film, which is well worth seeing and was also released under the English titles "Fury Of The Vikings" and "Erik the Conquerer".
It's about a Viking tribe that settled on the Scottish coast. The Scottish King Lothar (Franco Ressel) and the Viking King Harald (Folco Lulli) have actually agreed on a truce, but this is brutally thwarted by the scheming Sir Rutford (Andrea Checchi) and with fatal consequences for both kings. During a cruel attack on the Viking settlement, Harald's sons are separated from each other by terrible circumstances. Eron (later: Cameron Mitchell (1918-1994)) grows up among the Vikings, while Erik (later: Giorgio Ardisson (1931-2014)) becomes the foster son of the kind Queen Alice (Francoise Christophe) in Scotland. As grown men, the two brothers will meet again without knowing each other's identities. An important role is played by the beautiful twin sisters Rama (Alice Kessler as Erik's lover) and Daya (Ellen Kessler as Eron's lover), who will face some trials and tribulations.
Mario Bava certainly doesn't deliver his very best film here, but he is still convincing across the board with his usual dramatic use of color and his typical camera work. The actors are fabulous: Cameron Mitchell, who was also supposed to be seen under Bava in the Giallo prototype "Blutige Seide / Bloody Silk" (1964), has a fantastic fight with his blonde Viking adversary Garian (Joe Robinson (1927-2017)). Delivery. This former European heavyweight wrestling champion (1952) is also remembered for the legendary elevator fight (in his role as Peter Franks) with Sean Connery as James Bond in "Diamonds Are Forever" (1971). As usual, Giorgio Ardisson (1931-2014) shows his advantages as a muscle man (see "Vampires vs. Hercules") and as a charming lady killer (see the Agent 3S3 films in which he shone as the "Italian James Bond"). However, the Kessler twins, born in 1936, enchant in a very special way as the "love interests" of the two robust heroes. It is a great shame that her performance in this Italian film was far too little appreciated in German-speaking countries. In German cinema they also had a notable but very small appearance as the attractive Tiddy Sisters in the avant-garde crime film "Die Tote von Beverly Hills / The Dead from Beverly Hills" (1964). And not to forget: The Kessler Twins represented their native Germany at the EUROVISION Song Contest 1959!
This film is a must-see, and not just for the ever-increasing number of Mario Bava fans. If you like action, romance and playful, artistic demands, this film is perfect for you. The film was shot at the Titanus Appia Studios in Rome.
In addition to "Vampire gegen Herakles / Vampires Against Heracles" (1961) with Reg Park and Giorgio Ardisson, the Italian cult director Mario Bava (1914-1980) also created this peplum film, which is well worth seeing and was also released under the English titles "Fury Of The Vikings" and "Erik the Conquerer".
It's about a Viking tribe that settled on the Scottish coast. The Scottish King Lothar (Franco Ressel) and the Viking King Harald (Folco Lulli) have actually agreed on a truce, but this is brutally thwarted by the scheming Sir Rutford (Andrea Checchi) and with fatal consequences for both kings. During a cruel attack on the Viking settlement, Harald's sons are separated from each other by terrible circumstances. Eron (later: Cameron Mitchell (1918-1994)) grows up among the Vikings, while Erik (later: Giorgio Ardisson (1931-2014)) becomes the foster son of the kind Queen Alice (Francoise Christophe) in Scotland. As grown men, the two brothers will meet again without knowing each other's identities. An important role is played by the beautiful twin sisters Rama (Alice Kessler as Erik's lover) and Daya (Ellen Kessler as Eron's lover), who will face some trials and tribulations.
Mario Bava certainly doesn't deliver his very best film here, but he is still convincing across the board with his usual dramatic use of color and his typical camera work. The actors are fabulous: Cameron Mitchell, who was also supposed to be seen under Bava in the Giallo prototype "Blutige Seide / Bloody Silk" (1964), has a fantastic fight with his blonde Viking adversary Garian (Joe Robinson (1927-2017)). Delivery. This former European heavyweight wrestling champion (1952) is also remembered for the legendary elevator fight (in his role as Peter Franks) with Sean Connery as James Bond in "Diamonds Are Forever" (1971). As usual, Giorgio Ardisson (1931-2014) shows his advantages as a muscle man (see "Vampires vs. Hercules") and as a charming lady killer (see the Agent 3S3 films in which he shone as the "Italian James Bond"). However, the Kessler twins, born in 1936, enchant in a very special way as the "love interests" of the two robust heroes. It is a great shame that her performance in this Italian film was far too little appreciated in German-speaking countries. In German cinema they also had a notable but very small appearance as the attractive Tiddy Sisters in the avant-garde crime film "Die Tote von Beverly Hills / The Dead from Beverly Hills" (1964). And not to forget: The Kessler Twins represented their native Germany at the EUROVISION Song Contest 1959!
This film is a must-see, and not just for the ever-increasing number of Mario Bava fans. If you like action, romance and playful, artistic demands, this film is perfect for you. The film was shot at the Titanus Appia Studios in Rome.