Description
Factual and fanciful tales of the Nordic warriors known as Vikings have proven irresistible to filmmakers for nearly a century. Diverse, prominent actors from Kirk Douglas, Richard Widmark and Sidney Poitier to Tim Robbins and John Cleese, and noted directors, including Richard Fleischer, Clive Donner and Terry Jones, have all lent their talents to Viking-related films. These fourteen essays on films dealing with the Viking era discuss American, British and European productions. Analyzed in detail are such films as The Vikings (1958), The Long Ships (1964), Alfred the Great (1969), Erik the Viking (1989) and Outlander (2008), as well as two comic-strip adaptations, the 1954 and 1989 films of Prince Valiant and the animated Asterix and the Vikings (2006). A comprehensive filmography is also included.
About the Author
Kevin J. Harty, professor and formerly chair of English and coordinator of the Undergraduate General Education Core at La Salle University in Philadelphia, is associate editor of Arthuriana, the official journal of the North American Branch of the International Arthurian Society (of which he is the former president). He has previously written or edited 14 books, including ground-breaking studies of depictions of the Middle Ages on film.
Reviews
"this is a volume that has long been awaited"-Arthuriana; "such criticisms aside, though, this is still a useful exploration into the range of depictions of Vikings in cinema"-Parergon; "splendid"-Medievally Speaking.
Book Information
ISBN 9780786460441
Author Kevin J. Harty
Format Paperback
Page Count 236
Imprint McFarland & Co Inc
Publisher McFarland & Co Inc
Weight(grams) 422g
Dimensions(mm) 254mm * 178mm * 12mm
