Main Cast: Don Murray, Carita, Donald Houston, Andrew Keir, Niall MacGinnis
Release Year: 1967
Country: US/UK
Run Time: 91 minutes
Plot
Set in first century England, The Viking Queen is a loose retelling of the legend of Boadicea (also sometimes known as Boudica), the queen of the native Britons, who were known as the Iceni. In the year 60 A.D., the Roman governor general Justinian (Don Murray) attempts to rule over the island from wisdom as well as strength, believing that winning over the hearts of the Iceni people will work better for the Empire than brutalizing them. He has help from his cultured advisor Tiberion (Niall MacGinnis), and finds an ally (and much more) in Salina (Carita), the daughter of the late King Priam (ilfred Lawson), who has been chosen to rule the Iceni. Together, Justinian and Salina attempt to share responsibility for ruling the island nation, and to make the laws and the tax system fairer for the Iceni -- they also discover that they actually love each other and want to marry. Their romance and their attempts at bringing more civilized rule are thwarted by treachery on both sides. Among the Iceni, the Druids, led by the high priest Maelgan (Donald Houston), oppose the Romans because their rites (involving human sacrifice) have been banned, and Maelgan wishes Salina to fulfill the destiny that he has prophesized for her: to take up arms against the invaders. The wealthy Iceni merchants, led by the procurer Osiris (Dennis Shaw), oppose Justinian because of the higher taxes that he has imposed on them. Among the Romans, Justinian's military commander, Octavian (Andrew Keir), doesn't care for diplomacy or persuasion, except at the point of a sword. Conspiracies abound in both camps, which leads to Justinian being called away, and, in his absence, Octavian destroys the treaty between the two peoples. Finally, Salina is forced to take up arms and lead her people in open revolt against the Romans. The two would-be lovers face each other in battle, where, in the achieving victory, Justinian learns precisely how fierce and proud a warrior and a queen Salina is. ~ Bruce Eder, All Movie Guide
Review
Though Britain's Hammer Films was best known for its Gothic horror films, the company also ventured occasionally into historical adventures, such as Sword of Sherwood Forest (1960) and Night Creatures (1962). This 1967 effort attempted to repeat the success enjoyed by their previous period picture, the 1966 Raquel Welch film One Million Years B.C., by following its formula of costume, action, and a sultry female lead, and borrowing its director, Don Chaffey. The end results, however, are somewhat mixed. Finnish actress Carita, in her sole screen credit, stars as 1st century princess Salina, who assumes the Briton throne after the death of her father (Wilfrid Lawson). Sparks fly when the comely queen meets the Roman governor-general, Justinian (Don Murray), and together, the two attempt to bring her people into an age of democracy. However, their union is challenged on two fronts: by the fierce high priest of the Druid cult (an over-the-top Donald Houston), and by Justinian's power-hungry second-in-command (Quatermass and the Pit's Andrew Keir). Both sides weave a web of treachery and deceit that ultimately places the lovers on opposing sides of a battlefield. Despite Chaffey's muscular direction, and solid support from a stellar cast that includes Niall MacGinniss (Curse of the Demon), Patrick Troughton (Dr. Who), and Adrienne Corri, The Viking Queen was not a success for Hammer on either side of the Atlantic. Part of the blame lies with the company's insistence on injecting awkward scenes of violence and prurient behavior; part must also lie on the shapely shoulders of Carita, who is too bland and heavy accented to carry the film. Her scenes with Murray, in particular, lack any conviction or fire; one wonders what a Hammer glamour queen like Martine Beswicke or even Raquel Welch might've done with the part. Anchor Bay's widescreen DVD presentation includes the original theatrical trailer and TV spots. ~ Paul Gaita, All Movie Guide
Adrienne Corri - Beatrice; Wilfred Lawson - Priam of Troy; Sean Caffrey - Fergus; Nicola Pagett - Talia; Percy Herbert - Catus; Patrick Troughton - Tristram; Bryan Marshall - Dominic; Jack Rodney - Boniface; Patrick Gardiner - Benedict; Brendan Mathews - Nigel; Paul Murphy - Dalan; Gerry Alexander - Fabian; Dennis Shaw - Osiris; Anna Manahan - Shopkeeper's Wife; Philip O'Flynn - Merchant; Arthur O'Sullivan - Old Man at Tax Enquiry; Scott McGinnis; Nita Lorraine - Nubian Girl-Slave
Credit
John Furness - Costume Designer, Don Chaffey - Director, Peter Boita - Editor, Gary Hughes - Composer (Music Score), Charles Parker - Makeup, George Provis - Production Designer, Stephen Dade - Cinematographer, John Temple-Smith - Producer, Allan Bryce - Special Effects, Clarke Reynolds - Screenwriter
