Search - The Viking on DVD

Drama of a seal hunt ends with a real life tragedy

Annie Van Auken | Planet Earth | 08/11/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"THE VIKING is docu-fiction very much in the tradition of NANOOK OF THE NORTH (1922). "The Viking" is the name of the Newfoundland-coast sealing boat where the action unfolds. Highlight of this movie is the natural wonder of sea, ice and action, and not the contrived love story.


MAN OF ARAN is another example of docu/fiction from the creator of "Nanook," Robert Flaherty. This one concerns residents of remote islands off Ireland's western coast and their battle for survival against a violent sea and harsh climate.


Parenthetical number preceding title is a 1 to 10 viewer poll rating found at a film resource website.

(6.9) The Viking (Canada/USA-1931) - Charles Starrett/Arthur Vinton/Bob Bartlett/Louise Huntington


CAST & CREW TRIVIA--

Charles Starrett played The Durango Kid in the movie series.

Bob Bartlett was a native Newfoundland fisherman/seal hunter.

George Melford also directed the Spanish language version of DRACULA (1931).

After main shooting was complete and while trying to get additional footage, tragedy struck this project when its producer/director (Varick Frissell), cameraman (Alex Penrod) and almost the entire film crew were killed in a massive on-ship explosion."