Erik the Conqueror

ava directs a viking flick with preposterous historical inaccuracies that's damn fun, action packed, and colorful and pretty to look at!

This is a dreadfully silly movie with a needless complicated plot, but since it's directed by Mario Bava, it's absolutely gorgeous and worth watching every silly second of.

Colorful, loud and epic in its own way this was an interesting watch even if the film itself was not. The story was epic in scope but you don't see that in the movie too much as everything is don't in short little scenes. There is no accuracy in the film and it has a distinct stage feel to it take could make it or break it for some. Some others have noted that this has a cheap feel and goes for cheap thrills and to an extent I'd have to agree.

The story is rubbish, and it's practically a virtual remake of Fleischer's The Vikings, but it's a real feast for the eyes that's distinguished by Bava's painterly eye. It also serves as an early glimpse of his psychadelic use of colour that would come to define his later work, especially in horror, which makes it essential viewing for fans of his signature 60's style. It's an aesthetic creation, designed purely for cheap thrills, but there is much to admire here from a technical standpoint.

Once you get used to Vikings speaking Italian, this is actually quite good. Not the most historically accurate movie, and the plot gets a bit convoluted; but interesting and fun for the most part. So many visually arresting scenes by master Bava, I wanted to capture them and frame them on my wall. Dramatic ending packs a punch.

39.500