Les Vikings

Hollywood's major studios had used Technicolor Corporation's color technology for a number of years in the 1920s, but had limited its expensive use for just short segments within their feature films. Besides Douglas Fairbanks's 1926 "The Black Pirate," no studio went full bore in adopting the technology for its motion pictures. Technicolor had produced three films on its own to demonstrate its processes, including 1922's "The Toll of the Sea." By 1928, the company was prepared to unveil its latest color system, labeled 'Process 3' film. Among its highlights was the realistic flesh tones of its actors as well as an increase in vibrancy in colors from the previous processes. Added to its wow factor was be an embedded audio track able to play a springy musical soundtrack along with special sound effects. Its end result was the November 1928 release of "The Viking."

Viewers could readily see Technicolor's years of diligent work to get the skin tones just right: actress Pauline Starke as Helga, demonstrates the perfection of the hues with her low-cut costume exposing a ton of flesh. The abundant shots of clear blue skies and the equally aqua ocean capturing a Viking ship's journey to North America were designed to show its richer blues. The narrative was secondary to the visuals. Since the company had to have a plot within the movie, it adapted the script from Ottilie Liljencrantz's 1902 novel 'The Thrall of Leif the Lucky.' Critics complained about the lack of battle scenes, but "The Viking's" purpose was to sell the new vibrant colors to Hollywood and international film studios.

"The Viking's" plot involves Earl of Northumbria (LeRoy Mason) captured in a Viking raid. He's bought by Helga, whose guardian is Leif Ericsson, to be her slave. She falls in love with him despite the coupling being against the Norse code. Several sub-plots unfold, including the influence of Christianity on Leif Ericsson (Donald Crisp) while he and his colleagues butt heads against those who stand with the traditional paganism, a friction that plays into the Vikings' approach to North America.

Irving Thalberg, head of MGM's production, was so enthralled with the look of "The Viking" he convinced his studio to distribute the movie. The film didn't exactly light up the box office, but it did establish a working relationship between Technicolor and MGM, revolutionizing cinema in the coming years.

"The Viking's" conclusion claims the Ericsson colonization of North America took place in what is now Newport, Rhode Island, as evidence by a large tower the Danes erected there. The mysterious "Newport Tower" was later determined to be the remains of a 1650s windmill. But in 1837, a Danish archaeologist suggested it was constructed by the Vikings because he believed a Norse settlement existed from the evidence derived from the nearby Dighton Rock. In fact, Henry Longfellow wrote a poem, 'The Skeleton in Armor,' about the tower's Norse origins. The speculation has since been disproven.

THE VIKING is a film I happened to come upon on TCM the other night, immediately recognizing DONALD CRISP as Leif Ericsson. I was very impressed with the female lead, PAULINE STARKE as Helga, whose lovely face, high cheekbones and steady gaze withstood all those color closeups in fine style. She also happened to be well cast at the headstrong heroine who takes a wealthy nobleman for her slave.

But what really amazed me is the quality of the Technicolor photography, at least ten years before Hollywood was making use of color photography in some of its major films.

The TCM print featured some incidental sound effects and background music. At times, I forgot I was watching a silent film and the use of title cards was minimal.

Well worth watching as a curiosity, but not for historical accuracy.

There are so many two-strip Technicolor features lost (Laurel and Hardy's The Rogue Song (1930) comes to mind) or just partially intact, that it was a pleasure to see one that seems not only intact (with no black and white inserts) but also as beautiful as originally released. This film is not colorized, as is often done with early black and white films; it was filmed in color, but without the yellow component that was added in the mid 30's that most of us know as Technicolor. As a result, the reds, blues and browns look pretty good, but you will notice the yellows and greens look a bit off color. Still, it is a great example of the process and worth seeing for that reason alone. But there are also some good action sequences that are sure to please lovers of that genre. I also enjoyed the backdrop of the plot; that of Leif Ericsson sailing west to discover America in the 12th century.

THE VIKING (1928) is a well made actioneer from the 'swan song' of the 'Silent Era'. Like most late silent films it had a synchronized soundtrack which featured music, sound effects and muffled voice overs. The most salient feature of the film is its brilliant Technicolor, using the new, Process Three (3) two (2) color Technicolor. The print shows strong cleaning and restoration and the soundtrack is quite clear with little distortions. The acting is natural as per the late 'Silent Era' and the title cards informative without being intrusive. This is a independent production by the Technicolor Corporation released through M.G.M. The basic plot is one of exploration and the conflict between the new accepted belief of Christianity and the older Pagan ones.

DONALD CRISP (1882>1974) leads the cast as Leif Ericsson with Pauline Starke, Helga Nilsson the main feminine interest. The other male lead was LeRoy Mason, Lord Alwin, Helga's eventual love interest and mate. Mason after this film confined his acting too 'B' Westerns with various 2nd tier and 'Poverty Row' studios. Like-wise Ms. Starke career all but ended after Silents. As for DONALD CRISP, he looked fit and authoritarian in this picture. Mr. Crisp handled his action sequences well, no surprise since he had done so before in DON Q; SON OF ZORRO (1925) a Douglas Fairbanks production. After a successful career both in Acting and Direction during Silents, he went on too triumphs in Sound as a character actor. A career that spanned 1908>1963. Winning the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for HOW GREEN WAS MY VALLEY (1941).

There are several other points of interest of this film. At the end there is a specious claim that a 'Watch Tower' in Rhode Island was of Viking origin, built by Leif Ericsson. Dating has shown it to be no earlier then the 17th Century. Some of the coastal exteriors appear to be shot at the same location as Douglas Fairbanks THE BLACK PIRATE (1925). Which the Technicolor Corporation provided its expertise and technology. Then finally two (2) of the supporting actors. Richard Alexander, Sigurd went on to more notable fame as PRINCE BARIN in the first two (2) FLASH GORDON serials. Uncredited Frank Shannon appeared as a Viking in Eric The Red's 'Kings Hall' in Greenland. He is better known as Dr. Alexis Zarkov in all three (3) FLASH GORDON serials.

THE VIKING moves along at a good quick pace and has little padding, running at only 90". It is worth watching just for the Historical value as one of the earliest complete Technicolor features, but does not cheat in either action and acting. True the music and staging appears to come via a Richard Wagner opera, but there is nothing wrong with ripping off the best. A good all around watch.

A handsomely staged silent epic created to showcase the new 2-strip Technicolor process. All the male leads fall for Viking maiden Helga (Pauline Starke, looking exceedingly fetching in her Viking outfits), but there's little doubt about which of them will claim her heart. Worth catching for the sight of a young Donald Crisp looking like a drummer in some early 1970s prog rock band.