The Long Ships
The Long Ships

The Long Ships

1964Movie126 minEnglish

Moorish ruler El Mansuh is determined to locate a massive bell made of gold known as the "Mother of Voices." Viking explorer Rolfe also becomes intent on finding the mythical treasure, and sails with his crew from Scandinavia to Africa to track it down. Reluctantly working together, El Mansuh and Rolfe, along with their men, embark on a quest for the prized object, but only one leader will be able to claim the bell as his own — if it even exists at all.

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Insights

IMDb6.5/10
Director: Jack CardiffGenres: Adventure, Action, History

Plot Summary

A Viking chieftain, Sven, is on a quest to find the mythical Golden Bell of the World, a legendary artifact said to be lost somewhere in the Mediterranean. He sails with his half-brother, the Moorish slave Aly Mansuh, who has knowledge of the treacherous waters. Their journey is fraught with danger as they face rival Vikings, Saracens, and the perils of the sea in their pursuit of treasure.

Critical Reception

The Long Ships was a visually grand adventure film that appealed to audiences with its action and exotic locations. While not a critical darling, it was seen as a solid entry in the historical adventure genre, delivering spectacle and a straightforward quest narrative.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its epic scope and colorful visuals.
  • Enjoyed for its swashbuckling action sequences and exotic setting.
  • Considered a competent, if somewhat formulaic, adventure flick.

Google audience: Audience reception data for this film on Google is not readily available.

Awards & Accolades

None notable.

Fun Fact

The film was shot in Yugoslavia, with many of the extras being local people who were employed to fill out the Viking and Saracen armies.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

1 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

Sidney Poitier just about carries his role off, as a Moorish prince obsessed with a mythical great golden bell ("The Mother of All Voices") - reputedly made by monks many years ago. The rest of the cast, however, are fish out of water - Ric...