The Saga of the Viking Women and Their Voyage to the Waters of the Great Sea Serpent Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A gaggle of improbably coiffed Viking women ditch their village boredom to find their missing men, encountering a sock puppet sea serpent and a surprisingly clean-shaven barbarian tribe along the way.

🍿 The Saga of the Viking Women and Their Voyage to the Waters of the Great Sea Serpent: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Men Are Missing

For three long years, the men of the Stannjold clan have been absent from their village, leaving the Viking women desolate and longing for their return. Led by the determined Desir (Abby Dalton), the women decide to take matters into their own hands. They resolve to construct a ship, demonstrating their strength and resourcefulness, to embark on a perilous quest to find their missing menfolk.

A Perilous Voyage

The women’s journey by sea is fraught with unexpected dangers, including encounters with a shark, a mysterious whirlpool, and the famed sea serpent. A young, seemingly out-of-place Viking man named Ottar (Jonathan Haze) is discovered as a stowaway, adding another layer to their adventurous crew. The voyage also reveals internal tensions, particularly with Enger (Susan Cabot), the priestess, whose jealousy towards Desir begins to surface.

Captives of the Grimolts

After a dramatic confrontation with the sea serpent leaves their ship destroyed, the surviving Viking women and Ottar wash ashore on an unfamiliar land. They are soon captured by the horsemen of the barbaric Grimolt tribe, led by the imposing King Stark (Richard Devon). To their shock, they discover that their own Viking men, including Desir’s beloved Vedric (Bradford Jackson), are already enslaved by the Grimolts, toiling in rock quarries. The women are separated from their men, and King Stark takes a particular, unwanted interest in Desir.

Life Under Stark’s Rule

Under Stark’s tyrannical control, the Viking women face humiliation and various trials. Desir becomes a target for Stark and his effeminate son, Senja (Jay Sayer). During a boar hunt, Desir saves Senja’s life, and a subsequent arm-wrestling challenge further highlights the power struggle. King Stark declares the Viking women slaves, deepening their plight. Meanwhile, Enger’s simmering resentment towards Desir reaches a boiling point, leading to a calculated betrayal.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Desir (Abby Dalton): The strong and resourceful leader of the Viking women who embarks on a perilous voyage to find their missing menfolk.
• Enger (Susan Cabot): A scheming and initially treacherous priestess among the Viking women who eventually sacrifices herself for their cause.
• Stark (Richard Devon): The cruel and tyrannical chief of the Grimold barbarians who enslaves the Viking men and later captures the Viking women.
• Vedric (Bradford Jackson): Desir’s beloved and the leader of the Viking men held captive by the Grimold barbarians.
• Ottar (Jonathan Haze): A courageous young Viking who stows away with the women and displays defiance against their captors.
• Senya (Jay Sayer): The effeminate and cowardly son of King Stark, who attempts to humiliate the captured Viking women.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Ottar: “Get your filthy hands off her, you big slobbering dog!” – Said defiantly to Stark, the barbarian king, when Stark attempts to assert his dominance over the captured Viking women.
• Viking Women: “Our men beckon!” – A collective cry from the Viking women as they embark on their desperate voyage to find their missing menfolk, serving as their rallying call.
• Senya: “I’M A PRINCE!” – Shouted indignantly by Stark’s petulant son, Senya, often when his authority is challenged or his cowardice is exposed.
• Stark: “They live as long as their beauty pleases me.” – The barbarian king Stark’s chilling declaration to the captured Viking women, emphasizing their objectification and precarious fate.
• Enger: “See how the Storm God licks his lips at the coming feast!” – The dark priestess Enger says this with a sinister relish, invoking their deity in anticipation of a grim outcome.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $65,000
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: N/A

💥 The Saga of the Viking Women and Their Voyage to the Waters of the Great Sea Serpent Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I first saw *Viking Women* thanks to MST3K, and honestly, that’s the best way to experience this gem! It’s pure, unadulterated 1950s B-movie madness, and I found myself laughing more than I probably should have. The plot is utterly bonkers: these impossibly glamorous Viking women just decide to build a ship and go find their missing men. And then there’s the sea serpent – you know, the one that looks like a pool toy? I mean, come on, that thing alone is worth the price of admission! Despite the low budget and the sometimes wooden acting, there’s a certain charm to it. You can tell Corman was just trying to get it done, but somehow, that frantic energy translates into something genuinely entertaining. I particularly loved the arm-wrestling scene; it’s just so out of left field for a ‘Viking’ movie. It left me with a huge smile and a deep appreciation for classic drive-in fare.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Roger Corman films and his distinctive low-budget filmmaking style”
  • “B-movie enthusiasts and collectors of ‘so-bad-it’s-good’ cinema”
  • “Viewers who enjoy campy, unintentionally funny adventure films”
  • “Mystery Science Theater 3000 (MST3K) fans, as it was a featured episode”
  • “Those interested in 1950s drive-in movie culture and genre pictures”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Outdated gender roles and misogynistic undertones, particularly in the portrayal of women needing men and being subjected to male dominance.”
  • “Implied sexual exploitation and groping, especially regarding the barbarian tribe’s treatment of the Viking women.”
  • “Depictions of violence, including whippings, a wild boar hunt, and implied mauling by dogs.”
  • “Very low production quality and poor special effects, which might be jarring for some viewers.”

Professional Reviews

• Cinemania Magazine: “Roger Corman’s ‘Viking Women’ epitomizes the ‘quickie’ production, delivering exactly what its notoriously lengthy title promises: scantily clad women, a sea voyage, and a fleeting, rubbery sea serpent. While the plot often meanders and special effects are rudimentary at best, Corman’s signature fast pacing and resourceful use of a minuscule budget prevent it from becoming entirely unwatchable. It’s a charmingly inept relic of 50s drive-in cinema, best appreciated by those with a high tolerance for vintage B-movie absurdity.
• Cult Film Quarterly: “Forget historical accuracy; ‘Viking Women’ is a masterclass in unintentional comedy. From the perfectly coiffed leads to the infamous sock-puppet sea monster, every frame offers a delightful chuckle. Susan Cabot shines as the devious Enger, almost single-handedly injecting some genuine intrigue into the proceedings. It’s a chaotic, nonsensical romp, yet its earnest commitment to its ludicrous premise makes it an essential watch for any connoisseur of cinematic schlock. A true drive-in classic.

Audience Reactions

Viewers consistently praise its unintentional humor and the endearing charm of its low-budget effects.: Many appreciate it as a quintessential Roger Corman ‘quickie,’ ideal for a fun, non-serious watch, often citing the legendary sea serpent and the glamorous cast as memorable elements.

Overall Consensus: A quintessential low-budget 1950s adventure, celebrated more for its campy humor and B-movie charm than its cinematic quality.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “During the filming of a scene where the Viking women set out in their boat, the man piloting the tow boat fell asleep, nearly causing the prop boat to sink with 11 actresses aboard. Only Susan Cabot and one other actress could swim, and they had to be rescued by passing surfers and climb a cliff face to safety.”
• “Director Roger Corman famously considered this film a learning experience, stating he ‘realized I had been had’ by the special effects experts who promised elaborate visuals they couldn’t deliver on the low budget, leading to his dissatisfaction with the final product.”
• “The movie was rushed into production to capitalize on the anticipated release of the much larger-budget Kirk Douglas epic ‘The Vikings’ (1958), aiming to beat it to theaters and cash in on the public’s interest.”
• “Despite its Nordic setting, much of the film was shot in California locations like Bronson Canyon and Leo Carillo Beach, with costumes and sets often repurposed from other low-budget productions, contributing to its famously anachronistic look.”
• “It was originally released as a double-feature with another American International Pictures’ exploitation film, ‘The Astounding She-Monster’ (1957).”

🖥️ How to Watch The Saga of the Viking Women and Their Voyage to the Waters of the Great Sea Serpent?

You can find ‘The Saga of the Viking Women and Their Voyage to the Waters of the Great Sea Serpent’ available for purchase or rent on platforms like Prime Video. It’s often found among classic B-movie collections or through a direct search on Amazon‘s digital storefront.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Saga of the Viking Women and Their Voyage to the Waters of the Great Sea Serpent, you might like these similar films:

• Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Saga of the Viking Women and Their Voyage to the Waters of the Great Sea Serpent (1991): This film is widely known and enjoyed by cult movie fans primarily through its iconic episode of MST3K, highlighting its ‘so bad it’s good’ appeal.
• The Vikings (1958): A contemporary, much higher-budget Hollywood epic that ‘Viking Women’ was explicitly made to pre-empt and cash in on, offering a stark contrast in production scale and historical ‘accuracy.’
• The Wasp Woman (1959): Another iconic Roger Corman low-budget horror film featuring Susan Cabot, representative of the prolific B-movie output of American International Pictures during that era.
• One Million Years B.C. (1966): Features similar themes of primitive societies, scantily-clad women, and creature encounters, but with more renowned stop-motion effects and a slightly later, more polished B-movie aesthetic.
• Sharknado (2013): A modern-day equivalent in its embrace of outlandish, low-budget, creature-feature absurdity and intentional camp, appealing to fans of ‘so bad it’s good’ cinema.
• Plan 9 from Outer Space (1959): Widely considered one of the worst films ever made, appealing to fans of extremely low-budget, unintentionally hilarious cult classics, much like ‘Viking Women.’

🛒 The Saga of the Viking Women and Their Voyage to the Waters of the Great Sea Serpent Related Products

• Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Saga of the Viking Women (DVD Set): Experience the timeless B-movie classic, ‘The Saga of the Viking Women and Their Voyage to the Waters of the Great Sea Serpent,’ with the hilarious commentary of Joel and the Bots from Mystery Science Theater 3000. This special edition DVD set transforms a cult classic into a comedic masterpiece.
• Roger Corman’s Cult Classics Collection: Dive deeper into the world of low-budget cinematic genius with a comprehensive collection of Roger Corman’s iconic B-movies. This set features many of his genre-defining horror, sci-fi, and adventure films, showcasing his unparalleled efficiency and innovative filmmaking.
• How I Made a Hundred Movies in Hollywood and Never Lost a Dime: Roger Corman’s candid autobiography offers a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at his legendary career, including anecdotes from the making of ‘Viking Women’ and his philosophy on independent filmmaking. A must-read for aspiring filmmakers and B-movie enthusiasts.
• Viking Women & Sea Serpent B-Movie Fan T-Shirt: Embrace the spirit of low-budget adventure with this unique ‘Viking Women & Sea Serpent’ themed t-shirt. Featuring a stylized design that subtly nods to the film’s iconic elements and humorous absurdity, it’s perfect for cult movie fans and conversation starters.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Saga of the Viking Women and Their Voyage to the Waters of the Great Sea Serpent features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Main Theme” – performed by Albert Glasser
• “Voyage to the Serpent” – performed by Albert Glasser
• “Barbarian Encounter” – performed by Albert Glasser
• “Return Home” – performed by Albert Glasser

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Burning scene

Ever wondered about the dramatic intensity of classic B-movies? This clip showcases one of the most memorable and intense scenes from ‘The Saga of the Viking Women,’ the infamous burning at the stake. It’s a surprisingly impactful moment for a film of its era!

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