vikings ,......
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Much better, but still fiction. The book (1976 by Michael Crichton) was originally titled Eaters Of The Dead. Since the movie release, it has been retitled and is available under both titles. I first read it in the late 1970s after checking it out from the base library at Nellis AFB. I would imagine that with the film's release, it's likely still widely available at lending libraries. If not: www.amazon.com/Eaters-Dead-Michael-Crichton/dp/0061782637
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I totally agree Boatman, though it's made by the History Channel I regard most of their output as entertainment rather than serious history. That's what reading and the BBC are for.
It's just a bit of saucy swordplay, kind of a bodice ripper for men! Though Carry On Ravishing is a good way to think of it. It's a bit like Wolf Hall which I saw the other week at a friends. Nice to look at but a heap of conjecture and fiction thrown in.
I do think that if it inspires adults or kids to find out more though then that's excellent. After all it was tales and legends of Greek and Norse heroes that inspired me to have a life long love of history and they are viewed as fictions.
It's just a bit of saucy swordplay, kind of a bodice ripper for men! Though Carry On Ravishing is a good way to think of it. It's a bit like Wolf Hall which I saw the other week at a friends. Nice to look at but a heap of conjecture and fiction thrown in.
I do think that if it inspires adults or kids to find out more though then that's excellent. After all it was tales and legends of Greek and Norse heroes that inspired me to have a life long love of history and they are viewed as fictions.
Sure Goatboy, I started off reading "history" with the Greek and Roman legends with the Norse a bit later. The problem that I see is that a lot of people interpret what we know of history through the lens of such programmes. I am still haunted by the memories of the awful Bonekickers where they at first pretended it was a new slant on archaeology then claimed that it was a "romp" all the time. Oddly enough I enjoyed The Thirteenth Warrior which was another spin-off of the Eaters of the Dead that had weird armour but it was a well-constructed drama which Vikings doesn't seem to be. Like a lot of modern costume pieces this has a basic problem with time and distance, as did the recent Robin Hood series, archery competition, back to Sherwood for some action then return to Nottingham in time to continue in the competition, for example.
Yeah to be fair most fiction writer fall down on their research somewhere, especially when someone who know a bit of the subject views or reads it. (Friends won't watch movies about certain periods in history with me as I keep trotting out the phrase starting "But that (X) amount of years before that was issued/invented" The book I'm reading at the moment talks of how there wasn't a house for 60 miles and the noise of the chipmunks in the forest - this is modern day rural Wales it's talking about. But the story is fun.
I think that whether it's legend or modern history we have to accept a bit of exaggeration or just plain made up bits to make the story work. Even C. S. Forester could be picked up on some of his stuff.
Bonekickers should not be forgiven though, it was the worst piece of claptrap I've seen in many an age.
I think that whether it's legend or modern history we have to accept a bit of exaggeration or just plain made up bits to make the story work. Even C. S. Forester could be picked up on some of his stuff.
Bonekickers should not be forgiven though, it was the worst piece of claptrap I've seen in many an age.
Having watched the first two series I could of course pick many holes if I wished to. It would be surprising if I couldn't, after all it is a drama series, not a history lesson.
I do however struggle to recall any film or drama which has captured the spirit of the saga literature better. ( Such literature was of course a dramatisation in it's own time. )
I even struggle to think of any other such drama about this period of history that gets more right than they get wrong.
Personnally I shall wait for the third series to be released on DVD, buy it and most probably enjoy it.
I do however struggle to recall any film or drama which has captured the spirit of the saga literature better. ( Such literature was of course a dramatisation in it's own time. )
I even struggle to think of any other such drama about this period of history that gets more right than they get wrong.
Personnally I shall wait for the third series to be released on DVD, buy it and most probably enjoy it.
Regardless of the historical truth (what programme does stay with the facts as opposed to wanting viewers?), I think it's great stuff. Have been hankering for season 3 and it's still good viewing. I would have liked to see more of the homemaking and farming but it is what it is. I've also got a secret love of shield maidens more so now!
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This is still my phone screensaver since season 1 to counter the overused 'keep calm' spin offs!
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Point is it is a complete sinkhole of disinformation. The novels of Bengtsson (The Long Ships), Waltari (The Viking), Walton (Son of Darkness) and the children's Viking books of Henry Treece come closer as books to the sagas as do the inevitable "Hollywood treatment" films made based on them.
Boatman, its a TV series...I and many others here including Wayland (who is pretty much the sites 'Viking' specialist) likes it.
If you don't like it then don't watch it.
I'm also enjoying Wolf Hall.
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You know I don't particularly care if Ragnar was a historical character or not, or if he died in a snake pit, or a wolf pit, I want to know where I can get a pair of hairy breeches.
Now that is going back a bit, I remember reading Henry Treece when I was in junior school.
I have never watched Vikings. Living in Western Norway and being called Jarle (jarl = viking earl) I probably should, but the fear of seeing men wearing helmets with horns (just a myth) etc has kept me away...
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