Audience Member
When Hammer Films weren't making horror films or psychological thrillers, they also did a range of adventure films. This one, directed by Don Chaffey (One Million Years B.C. (1966), Creatures the World Forgot (1971) and Pete's Dragon (1977)) and written by Clarke Reynolds (Son of a Gunfighter (1965) and Shalako (1968)), this dull historical romp has too many Romans, and not enough Vikings. Shame really. Set in Anglesey, when local King Priam (Wilfrid Lawson) dies, his daughter Queen Salina (Carita) has agreed to rule their land of Icena with local Roman legion head Justinian (Don Murray). But this decision angers the Roman's as well as the local druids. When Queen Salina and Justinian fall in love, and they think this will help ease the tense relations between the Roman's and Celts. However, it makes things worse, and when Justinian goes away to Rome, his second in command Octavian (Andrew Keir) takes over the rule, and he ends up causing a bloody war between the Romans and the Celts, and Salina has to take to battle in order to protect and defend her people. It should have been a good film, but the title is misleading, and it's a very dull and unexciting film, it doesn't help that the production was hampered by bad weather in Ireland, which caused Hammer to postpone several projects to get this one finished. By the end of it, they wish they hadn't bothered to begin with.
Rated 2.5/5 Stars •
Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars
02/05/23
Full Review
Audience Member
(17%)
Although not a awful as many have said, this is still quite poor. The direction is very average to say the least, and is not up to Hammer's usual high standard from around this period, also the editing is really awful at times and the script is dire. On a plus note the costumes, particularly the Roman ones, are really well done, so at least someone was on the ball, and for a PG there is a surprising amount of bare naked (well almost) ladies on screen, but it is not enough to save the movie from its very poor action sequences, dull pacing and lack of decent performances. One for Hammer die-hards only, everyone else should stay well away.
Rated 1/5 Stars •
Rated 1 out of 5 stars
02/25/23
Full Review
Audience Member
An ok telling of the story of Boudicca (here given a bland name change). The Roman love interest added to her story is unique if not particularly sensible. And it's always nice to see a strong woman in a sword and sandal film that isn't the scheming, psychopathic mother-in-law. But why is the film called The Viking Queen when not a single viking appears in it?
Rated 2.5/5 Stars •
Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars
02/22/23
Full Review
Audience Member
why is this movie called the Viking Queen, when there's no vikings
Rated 1.5/5 Stars •
Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars
02/27/23
Full Review
Audience Member
Hard to guess that its a Hammer movie. Rather a funny sword and sandal movie to watch on TV after sunday dinner together with LeRoy's "Quo Vadis".
Rated 2.5/5 Stars •
Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars
01/28/23
Full Review
Audience Member
This film doesn't appear to be getting much love on Flixster. One audience review and one critic review? It's not surprising really because this is a largely forgettable effort from Hammer. It is perhaps as much of a departure that I've seen from their trademark gothic horror, aside from One Million Years B.C. perhaps. For the most part The Viking Queen is a frightful bore, however it does awaken after the hour point and there are actually some thrills to have in the final act. It's not quite a case of too little too late but at the same time it doesn't quite make up for the nonsense and banality that comes beforehand.
Rated 2.5/5 Stars •
Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars
02/21/23
Full Review
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