The Vikings

The Vikings (1958)

11 mistakes

(6 votes)

Factual error: The Vikings raided England in the 9th and 10th centuries. The first castles were not built until post 1066. The castle in the film has rounded towers, crenellations and machicolations, which would date it at approximately 1300. That would tend to suggest that these Vikings were 400 or 500 years old, or that they had access to a time machine.

Continuity mistake: When Kirk Douglas smashes through the chapel window near the end of the film, you can clearly see that the window isn't stained glass - it's colored paper. Or perhaps papier-mache of some sort.

Visible crew/equipment: When Kirk Douglas returns in the viking ship to his home fjord, many vehicles can be seen on the road through the trees on the other side of the water. Vauxhall Vikings perhaps?

Revealing mistake: When Morgana's ship is being boarded, one of the Vikings features an arrow stuck in his body even as he boards. It is first (but not quite) kept out of sight by his shield, but when he enters the ship, he turns the shield away, and the arrow is suddenly visible. Somewhat hard to see by casual watching, so look carefully.

Revealing mistake: During the scene where the Vikings are attacking the castle, a soldier gets an arrow straight across the neck side on. Given that the Vikings were 40 feet below and head on to the ramparts, how on earth was that shot made?

Continuity mistake: When Eric and the others are making their escape in the boat, the ladies are in front at first. Later on they are behind the men as they all row the boat.

Factual error: At the end, when Kirk Douglas throws his head back and screams: "ODIN!", you can see several mercury amalgam fillings in his teeth - not available under most 900AD health plans.

roy sandefur

Continuity mistake: When Kirk Douglas climbs the axes thrust against the drawbridge, he is unarmed. After he lowers the bridge, his sword is strapped across his back, only to reappear in the following shots on his belt.

Revealing mistake: When Kirk Douglas climbs the rope to the tower's window, you can see the flimsy rope. Supporting his weight, the rope should have been stretched tight. Right before he crashes through the window, you can make out the equipment supporting the stuntman. (01:40:20)

Eric: Why did he hesitate?

More quotes from The Vikings

Trivia: The three Viking ships in the film were designed using blueprints for an actual Viking ship salvaged from the water and restored by a Viking museum in Norway. It turned out that the boats built for the film were too accurate, because the modern actors were taller than their historical counterparts. Every second oar hole had to be plugged so the modern men would have room to row with a full oar stroke. Otherwise, they would hit the backs of the oarsmen seated in front of them when pushing the oar handles forward to start each new stroke.

More trivia for The Vikings

Join the mailing list

Separate from membership, this is to get updates about mistakes in recent releases. Addresses are not passed on to any third party, and are used solely for direct communication from this site. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Check out the mistake & trivia books, on Kindle and in paperback.