Vikings and Sugartits

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I flinched when I read Michael Fleming's 12.13 story about Mel Gibson's forthcoming Viking movie with Leonardo DiCaprio and a script by William Monahan. We know what this will be. What big-league director is more drawn to gougings, disembowelments and beheadings than Gibson? The man is insane.

Fleming says the story "will be as unsparing as Gibson's Braveheart, The Passion of the Christ and Apocalypto." And we're all going to pay $12 each to sit through more throat-slicings, testicle-crushings, skull-splittings and so on. Terrific.

This makes me sound unadventurous and reclusive, I realize, but I'd much rather spend $20 or $25 on a special-edition Bluray of Richard Fleischer's The Vikings (1958) than sit through Gibson's gore-fest. The 51 year-old Kirk Douglas-Tony Curtis version is unabashedly broad and cheesy and sometimes ridiculous. But there are undercurrents in that film that really work. Here's how I put in in the wake of Fleischer's death in '06:

"Fleischer's peak was The Vikings -- the 1958 historical action epic that was mostly dominated by producer-star Kirk Douglas, but was (and still is) notable for two dramatic elements that still work today.

"One is what seems to happen inside the male Viking characters (particularly Douglas and dad Ernest Borgnine) whenever Odin, the Nordic God, is mentioned. We hear a haunting, siren-like Odin theme on the soundtrack, and these rough blustery types suddenly stop their loutish behavior and seem to almost retreat into a childlike emotional place...a place that's all about awe and fear (of death, God, judgment). This happens maybe three or four times in this big, unsophisticated popcorn movie (which nonetheless feels far sturdier and more classically composed than a typical big-budget popcorn actioner made today), and each time it does The Vikings suddenly has a spirit.

"The other thing that still works is the film's refusal to make much of the fact that Douglas and costar Tony Curtis, mortal enemies throughout the film, are in fact brothers, having both been half-sired by Borgnine. Costar Janet Leigh begs Douglas to consider this ten minutes from the finale, and Douglas angrily brushes her off. But when his sword is raised above a defenseless Curtis at the very end and he's about to strike, Douglas suddenly hesitates...and we know why. And then Curtis stabs Douglas in the stomach with a shard of a broken sword, and Douglas is finished. The way he leans back, screams 'Odin!' and then rolls over dead is pretty hammy, but that earlier moment of hesitation is spellbinding -- one of the most touching pieces of acting Douglas has ever delivered.

"Douglas wasn't very respectful of Fleischer's authority during the making of The Vikings, and for all I know Fleischer didn't have that much to do with this final scene...but he probably did, and he deserves our respect for it."

Here's the last chapter of The Vikings. The post-magic-hour lighting during the funeral scene with the torches and flaming arrows is very nice.

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Posted by Jeffrey Wells on December 15, 2009 at 4:42 AM

comment #1

QualityGibberish says ...

"The man is insane." True dat, for sure. There is no need for Gibson's continued existence.

Posted by QualityGibberish at December 15, 2009 6:36 AM

comment #2

Jeffrey Wells says ...

What are you saying something like that for? Gibson can exist all he wants. I'm saying he's an obsessive -- no matter what the story, he's going to get into pain and blood and body parts being left on the ground. One way or another the guy needs to torture or be tortured. Something in that extreme Catholic makeup of his -- he can't seem to help himself.

Posted by Jeffrey Wells at December 15, 2009 7:02 AM

comment #3

QualityGibberish says ...

Geez, you know what hyperbole is. I think you've used it once or twice. You said he was insane. He does not need to continue directing films, then. I despise torture and, as you say he uses it all the time to gin up some primitive identification response--for commercial and so-called religious reasons. It's reprehensible.

Posted by QualityGibberish at December 15, 2009 7:09 AM

comment #4

TheGK says ...

"will be as unsparing as Gibson's Braveheart, The Passion of the Christ and Apocalypto." And we're all going to pay $12 each to sit through more throat-slicings, testicle-crushings, skull-splittings and so on.'

I probably will. The violence might be over the top or unnecessary, but he's one of the few directors to come close to a realisitic level of violence for the times he's depicting.
The Romans were extremely brutal to those who rebelled against them. Medieval warfare was a nasty, brutish affair and the Maya and the Aztecs went in for human sacrifice, sometimes on a large scale.
Gibson doesn't pull any punches. I kinda like that.

Posted by TheGK at December 15, 2009 7:17 AM

comment #5

Rich S. says ...

As someone once said, "you buys your ticket, you takes your ride."

You walk into a Mel Gibson directed Viking picture knowing exactly what you'll get: berserker fury depicted in loving, excessively gory detail. If that's not your cup of tea, fine. Go watch something else. But a lot of people like Gibson's takes on history. To each his own.

Posted by Rich S. at December 15, 2009 7:23 AM

comment #6

Indeed says ...

I'll be there opening day.

Posted by Indeed at December 15, 2009 7:25 AM

comment #7

ZayTonday says ...

Apocalypto was AWESOME. Gibson + the writer of Kingdom of Heaven doing a Viking movie? Sign me up for day fucking one.

Posted by ZayTonday at December 15, 2009 7:38 AM

comment #8

COCO says ...

Gibson=Hell on Earth.....this Eloi eats that shit up....meh...popcorn anyone?

Posted by COCO at December 15, 2009 9:00 AM

comment #9

Josh Massey says ...

Gibson is bugnuts insane, but a master filmmaker. I can't wait for this.

To quote "South Park": "Say what you want about Mel Gibson, but the son of a bitch knows story structure."

Posted by Josh Massey at December 15, 2009 9:42 AM

comment #10

sumo-pop says ...

Gibson is completely nuts, and his politics couldn't be more different than mine, but he is one of the most committed filmmakers out there. He truly has a vision as nutso as it may be.

Posted by sumo-pop at December 15, 2009 9:55 AM

comment #11

Gaydos says ...

I love the support for Melster!

Apocalypto was a masterpiece and Melvin has become, much to my surprise and shock, one of America's most daring and adventurous filmmakers.

For the record, Sam Peckinpah was not a nice guy but he was a better filmmaker, pound for pound, than just about anyone working in the U.S. today. So I don't care about Mel's politics, religiion or driving record. He's a true artist, a bit mad, but have you ever seen a Francis Bacon painting?

And what's the alternative? There's a lot of safe, slick, politically correct middle-brow b.s. that is getting awards season traction, none of which holds a candle to Mel's best work.

And when did JW become so damned dainty that he can't take a bit of entrails with his mead and mayhem?

Posted by Gaydos at December 15, 2009 11:12 AM

comment #12

Mr. F. says ...

All the talk is about Mel... yet no one's talking about Leo being cast to play a bad-ass viking?!

Posted by Mr. F. at December 15, 2009 11:49 AM

comment #13

rayciscon says ...

Gotta disagree with you on this one Jeff.

As many previous posters have stated, when "Mad Mel" Gibson is involved in the production of a film, you simply KNOW that it's going to be a heartfelt, quality production.

It might not be your cup of tea, but Apocalyto, The Passion of the Christ, and Braveheart were all quality productions.

I don't care for a lot of movies you get excited about--Revolutionary Road is a prime example. While I didn't care for that film I did appreciate the craft involved in its production. Didn't like the story or characters, but I appreciate that it's a fine film... just not my cup o' tea.

It's obvious you really dislike Gibson, and that's your prerogative. Have you lost the ability to look past personal dislike and judge a movie from any kind of objective level?

It seems to me that judging art of any kind has become like politics... if the art or person has politics different from your own, you simply can't abide them can you Jeff? There's no agreeing to disagree and go on with other items/subjects is there? If they're "on your list" because of their political attitudes they are 'evil', and you refuse to put up with them.

Jeff, do you have any friends who are conservative or even Republicans? Does anyone in your circle of friends have any opinions other than a mirror image of your own? If so, do you respect them?

Diversity is a wonderful thing, and that includes diversity of thought.

I'm 150% behind Tay Zonday, and I'm going to quote him because he's right, "Apocalypto was AWESOME. Gibson + the writer of Kingdom of Heaven doing a Viking movie? Sign me up for day fucking one."

Can you name any other filmmaker insane enough, or with balls enough to put out two big productions without a word of English spoken? Give Mel his props!

Posted by rayciscon at December 15, 2009 11:57 AM

comment #14

va says ...

I thought you liked "Apocalypto" Jeff - especially when you read Gibson's comparison to Iraq War? - I wonder if any of this film will be in the native language of the time.... also, David Mamet is as taken with the poetry of profanity as Gibson is with violence, and no one makes a correlation to his religion. It's time to stop that crap, it's intolerant.

Posted by va at December 15, 2009 12:14 PM

comment #15

Sams says ...

Does the fact that such brutality existed justify bringing it on screen? Every conflict comes with stories of unspeakable cruelty. These can be hinted at artistically without compromising the story. There is no need to go into surgical detail which is what Gibson relishes. But the fact is there are fans of blood and gore out there (and in here). Gibson is giving us his latest period piece rendition of Saw or Chainsaw Massacre. The bigger surprise for me is why Leo is attracted to star in it.

Posted by Sams at December 15, 2009 2:14 PM

comment #16

lipranzer says ...

PASSION OF THE CHRIST was a "quality production"? Sorry, but that film offended me on a religious and a cinematic level.

Posted by lipranzer at December 15, 2009 5:30 PM

comment #17

Raden Beletz says ...

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Posted by Raden Beletz at January 7, 2010 3:53 PM

comment #18

atish says ...

I'm 150% behind Tay Zonday, and I'm going to quote him because he's right, "Apocalypto was AWESOME. Gibson + the writer of Kingdom of Heaven doing a Viking movie? Sign me up for day fucking one."
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Posted by atish at January 21, 2010 9:44 PM

comment #19

doublexjohn says ...

Does that mean the Viking movie will be in English or in old Norse?

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Posted by doublexjohn at January 21, 2010 11:55 PM

comment #20

pamelazz says ...

I probably will. The violence might be over the top or unnecessary, but he's one of the few directors to come close to a realisitic level of violence for the times he's depicting.voip phone service provider

Posted by pamelazz at February 3, 2010 8:50 PM

comment #21

health insurance quotes online says ...

Yes I love Mel Gibson! He is an amazing actor and director. I look forward to this new film and hopefully I can watch it soon.

Posted by health insurance quotes online at February 3, 2010 11:37 PM

comment #22

doublexjohn says ...

Remember that mysterious Mel Gibson movie that will be shooting at a prison in Veracruz, Mexico? Well, according to Variety, Leonardo DiCaprio will star in Gibson's new untitled period drama about Viking culture.

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Posted by doublexjohn at February 10, 2010 5:17 AM

comment #23

sara says ...

I will surely watch the new film of Gibson.
Hope I like it
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comment #24

Dill Anderson says ...

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Posted by Dill Anderson at June 21, 2010 12:10 PM

comment #25