History Film / TheViking1928

* ArtisticLicense: Vikings (and in fact, Scandinavians in general up to the 16th century at the earliest) used UsefulNotes/{{patronymic}}s rather than family names. Hence the name "Helga Nilsson" makes no sense from a historical perspective, because "Nilsson" means (very obviously) "''son'' of Nils" and can never be a woman's patronymic. Less obvious, "Nils" is also an abridged form of Nicholas, which is Greek in origin and was introduced to Scandinavia through the cult of St. Nicholas. Nobody in pre-Christian Scandinavia was called Nils.

* FauxActionGirl: When she is first introduced, Helga is wearing a helmet and armor, and a title card tells us that she is "living the life of a Viking sea rover under the protection of the famous Leif Ericsson". In the very same scene, she also falls from her horse (much to the amusement of the onlookers), and sprains her wrist, which she keeps rubbing, and needs to have patched up by her male companion. During the treatment, the pain is visibly troubling her, although she comically tries to act tough. The entire sequence signals that she is not really cut out for the "life of a Viking sea rover", but is much rather a big tomboy who wants to be tough, but is not.

* SweetPollyOliver: To join Leif's voyage of exploration, Helga dresses up as a Viking to board Leif's ship with the others. She does not bother to hold up her disguise once they are away from land.

* ThePiratesWhoDontDoAnything: A title card introduces Helga as "living the life of a Viking sea rover under the protection of the famous Leif Ericsson"; this implies that Leif and his crew ''are'' "sea rovers", a term which usually means "pirates". However Leif and his crew are never seen committing piracy, do not talk about having done so in the past, and Leif's characterization as "famed for his justice" seems to be at odds with a piratical past. Even though they are apparently financially well-off, it remains unclear how they support themselves, or what is the purpose of their company.

* PeltsOfTheBarbarian: Many of the Vikings attacking Alwin's castle wear primitive fur garments, and so do many of the Greenlanders forming Eric the Red's company. In contrast Leif, King Olaf and Olaf's guests do not wear furs, giving the impression that in the movie's world, wearing shaggy furs and pelts is reserved for pagans.

''The Viking'' is a Hollywood movie from 1928. It is a Technicolor silent movie with a soundtrack. It is an adaptation of the 1902 historical novel ''The Thrall of Leif the Lucky'' by Ottilie A. Liljencrantz.

* FamedInStory: Before Leif Ericsson even appears in the movie, he is already mentioned as "the famous Leif Ericsson" in a title card, and when he finally appears on screen, a title card introduces him as "famed throughout the North for his strength, courage and justice." Shortly after, King Olaf honors him by proposing a toast to him, and later comments on Leif's plan of exploring the sea west of Greenland that such a voyage "would be an adventure worthy of you, Leif Ericsson!". No solid explanation for ''why'' Leif is so famous is given, as all this takes place ''before'' Leif discovers any "new lands".

Lord Alwin ([=LeRoy=] Mason), the smooth-shaven Earl of Northumbria, is captured by [[HornyVikings Vikings]] and whisked away to UsefulNotes/{{Norway}}, land of the bearded Northmen. Sold as a slave, he ends up in the possession of Leif Ericsson (Donald Crisp), a famous navigator with a bold plan of discovering America.

As Leif sails the ocean blue to meet his father Eric the Red (Anders Randolph), chief of UsefulNotes/{{Greenland}}, the white [[UsefulNotes/AngloSaxons Anglo-Saxon]] protests in vain against his treatment at the hands of Egil the Black (Harry Woods), Leif's Danish sailing master. The only silver lining is the rosy Helga Nilsson (Pauline Starke), who is increasingly enthralled by the dashing new thrall. And Egil the Black turns green with envy.

Lord Alwin, the smooth-shaven Earl of Northumbria is captured by [[HornyVikings Vikings]] and whisked away to UsefulNotes/{{Norway}}, land of the bearded Northmen. Sold as a slave, he ends up in the possession of Leif Ericsson, a famous navigator with a bold plan of discovering America.

As Leif sails the ocean blue to meet his father Eric the Red, chief of UsefulNotes/{{Greenland}}, the white [[UsefulNotes/AngloSaxons Anglo-Saxon]] protests in vain against his treatment at the hands of Egil the Black, Leif's Danish sailing master. The only silver lining is the rosy Helga Nilsson, who is increasingly enthralled by the dashing new thrall. And Egil the Black turns green with envy.

As Leif sails the ocean blue to meet his father Eric the Red, chief of UsefulNotes/{{Greenland}}, the white UsefulNotes/{{Anglo-Saxon|s}} protests in vain against his treatment at the hands of Egil the Black, Leif's Danish sailing master. The only silver lining is the rosy Helga Nilsson, who is increasingly enthralled by the dashing new thrall. And Egil the Black turns green with envy.

Lord Alwin, the smooth-shaven Earl of Northumbria is captured by Vikings and whisked away to Norway, land of the bearded Northmen. Sold as a slave, he ends up in the possession of Leif Ericsson, a famous navigator with a bold plan of discovering America.

As Leif sails the ocean blue to meet his father Eric the Red, chief of UsefulNotes/{{Greenland}}, the white Anglo-Saxon protests in vain against his treatment at the hands of Egil the Black, Leif's Danish sailing master. The only silver lining is the rosy Helga Nilsson, who is increasingly enthralled by the dashing new thrall. And Egil the Black turns green with envy.