Erik the Viking

Terry Jones is probably the least appreciated member of Monty Python, but viewing `Erik the Viking' should change your opinion on that. The movie's world is bleak and bitter (reading about Norse religion will show you that the Vikings lived in a bleak and bitter world), but Tim Robbins' idealistic and earnest Erik is just sweet and hopeful enough to keep things interesting, rather than completely depressing. The casting is excellent. Particularly noteworthy are Jones himself as a king who quite literally only sees what he wants to see; Eartha Kitt as a very effective and chilling Norse goddess (yeah, it sounds weird, but it's perfectly done); and Antony Sher, whose Loki is equal parts weasel and villain. You'll be disappointed if you come in expecting over-the-top Pythonesque zany-ness, but to me, this movie felt like a maturation of that style. The satire is still there but it's more sober than frenetic. I only rated this movie an 8 because I don't watch it very often, but it's probably my favorite of all the Pythons' solo projects.

Seen as a poor relation to true-Python movies (even forgotten), it tells the tale of a young adventurous Viking, Erik, who sets out on a quest to find Asgard. Along with a selection of other Norsk villagers, they sail into the unknown, encounter a sea monster and stumble across the idyllic 'Hy-Brazil', a land ruled by King Arnulf (Director, Terry Jones) who keeps insisting that in the face of adversity "It's alright. It's not happening".

The badness in this piece is care of Halfdan the Black (John Cleese) and delivered in typical Cleese fashion. Loki ((now) Sir Anthony Sher) plays to Halfdan as a crooked little stoolpigeon, only looking to improve his standing and possible gains.

Sadly, no other members of the original Python team played a part in this film as, rumour has it, after the death of Graham Chapman (in October of 1989), the remaining Pythons. Gilliam, Palin and Idle, decided not to appear.

Erik The Viking is a light comedy with occasional droplets of Python rain, gently falling about the story. Director, Terry Jones, relies on a pair of old-school character actors who number his and many Python films: John Scott Martin (Ingemund the Old) and Charles McKeown (Sven's Dad).

Jones allowed his cast to keep their mother-tongues: Tim Robbins (Erik) and Mickey Rooney (Erik's Grandfather) keep their American drawls and John Gordon Sinclair (Ivar), his broad Scottish accent. One of the best interactions is between Ivar and Thorofinn, discussing seasickness aboard their boat and a welcome diversion comes in the shape of 28yr old Imogen Stubbs (Princess Aud).

In the end, it's just a bit of fun and serves as a good 'hors d'oeuvre' to anyone who needs a gentle initiation into the world of Python.

This movie was a brainchild of the venerable Pythons (Monty python's flying circus, Yellowbeard, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Life of Brian) and while only a couple of them are in it, it has their usual stamp of silliness and political incorrectness. The python troup has several history professors among it and thus their historical flicks, while silly, also usually manage to work some real history into the mix. Anyone familiar with the viking belief system and legends will really enjoy this movie for its correctness and attention to detail in that regard. While there are many amusing parts of the movie, I found the Christian priest that accompanyied them and couldn't see any of the viking gods (because that was not his belief system), perhaps the most amusing part of the whole movie.

From Monty Python team member Terry Jones comes this mildly amusing spoof of Norse mythology, which he wrote and directed. Tim Robbins plays the title character, a young man who's brave enough to want to embark on an epic journey. He actually has the nerve to want to ask the gods to end the days of "Ragnarok" - basically, the end of the world. Several of his peers accompany him, and they have a variety of off the wall encounters as well as dangers to overcome.

It's true that if you only look at this as a comedy, you might have a fairly entertaining time. But there's more going on here than silliness, as Jones explores ideas of belief and denial, and how power can come to those who believe. His serious themes are unexpected, but welcome. In truth, this viewer never found the comedy that funny. He even thought it just felt off at times. The fact that it works to any degree at all is due largely to an eclectic cast, who play their material for everything that it's worth. You've got a remarkably sincere Robbins, Mickey Rooney (as his grandfather) and Eartha Kitt in cameos, and such distinguished British thespians as Jones himself (who plays King Arnulf), John Cleese (who's great as always, playing nasty bad guy Halfdan the Black), Antony Sher, Charles McKeown, Tim McInnerny, Freddie Jones, and Jim Broadbent. You also get the very lovely Imogen Stubbs (as Jones' princess daughter) and Samantha Bond.

Certainly a quality look is created for the movie, with lots of fine location work, atmosphere, and visuals. There's a rousing score by composer Neil Innes, and even an entertainingly shoddy looking "dragon".

The ending is rather abrupt, but up until then Jones does deliver some chuckles and food for thought.

Six out of 10.

In true Python alum fashion, this movie is rewatchable (despite what Maltin says) and a lot of fun each time you watch it. Tim Robbins does his usual good job in a light-hearted but sensitive role; and possibly the best line of the movie is John Cleese's reaction to Robbins when Robbins *believes* himself to be invisible, declaring: "Now you see me, now you don't!" Cleese's reaction has me laughing out loud every time.

Behind all the fun and games, though, Terry Jones has done some pretty darn clever commentary on belief systems and epistemology; the fact that you can only be affected by that particular brand of magic in which you believe is a strong idea which rings nicely throughout the movie. (The addition of the priest character drives the point home nicely.) Interesting ideas, which I'd bet are ignored by most people just out for a good time (which is okay too, since it's a funny movie).