The Long Ships

Director: Jack Cardiff Jack Cardiff

Overview

"In this elaborately mounted seafaring adventure, Rolfe (Richard Widmark) is a Viking leader with the cunning and devious mind of a pirate. Rolfe tells others sailors of ""The Mother of Voices,"" a mammoth bell made of gold and as tall as three men, but he adds enough incorrect details to throw them off the proper trail. However, Aly Mansuh (Sidney Poitier), the leader of a group of ambitious Moors, sees through Rolfe's story, and soon the two are in a breakneck race to be the first to capture the precious bell. The Long Ships also features Russ Tamblyn and Oscar Homolka."

Product Details

Release Date:	06/24/2003
UPC:	0043396121195
Original Release:	1963
Rating:	NR
Source:	SONY PICTURES HOME ENTERTAINMT
Region Code:	1
Presentation:	[Wide Screen]
Sound:	[Dolby Digital]
Language:	English
Time:	2:05:00
Sales rank:	17,373

Special Features

Digitally mastered audio and anamorphic video; Remastered in high definition; Widescreen presentation; Audio: English; Subtitles: English, French, Japanese, Korean; Theatrical trailers; Interactive menus; Scene selections

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Richard Widmark	Rolfe
Sidney Poitier	Aly Mansuh
Rosanna Schiaffino	Aminah
Russ Tamblyn	Orm
Oscar Homolka	Krok,Actor
Lionel Jeffries	Aziz
Edward Judd	Sven
Beba Loncar	Gerda
Clifford Evans	King Harald
Colin Blakely	Rhykka
Gordon Jackson	Vahlin
David Lodge	Olla
Paul Stassino	Raschid
Jeanne Moody	Ylva
Henry Oscar	Auctioneer

Technical Credits

Beverley Cross

Berkely Mather

Jack Cardiff	Director
Irving Allen	Producer
Sydney Pearson	Special Effects
Bill Warrington	Special Effects
Beverley Cross	Screenwriter
Berkely Mather	Screenwriter

Editorial Reviews

This film entertains in the tradition of the old Saturday matinee about high adventure, far-off lands, secret treasures, and swordplay. Although the production was nominated for a British Academy Award for costumes, it is a gigantic golden bell called the Mother of Voices that is the center of attention. Rival warriors Rolfe the Viking (Richard Widmark) and Aly the Moor (Sidney Poitier) both covet it, but only Rolfe knows its location -- an eminence on a distant shore. After Aly captures Rolfe and his men with a huge army, the reluctant partners cast off to claim the prize. But, of course, they don't plan to share it. The film, though short on aesthetics, is long on lavish spectacle, derring-do, and mortal combat. One hapless Moor gets to ride the razor edge of the mare of steel, an execution device, as a demonstration to Rolfe and his men that they had better behave while in Aly's charge. Widmark portrays the Viking leader as lusty and proud while Poitier invests his character with restrained nobility. Both men gain the sympathy of the audience, making it easy to root for them as they become raiders of the lost bell. Finding the bell and hearing it peal spellbinds the adventurers; they realize for the first time the true worth of the solid-gold treasure, as tall as three big men. But beholding it is one thing; moving it is another. Thus, the conflict shifts from man against man to man against bell. A rousing musical score accompanies the action, and the cinematography makes the most of the scenery. Oscar Homolka is entertaining as a Viking slob, and agile Russ Tamblyn makes a sprightly warrior.