The men from the Viking village of Stannjold set off to find lands that would provide a better life for the clan. That was three years ago. Since then the woman have decided that they couldn’t wait any longer for the men’s return. Taking a vote they decide to set off in search of the men. Led by Desir (Abby Dalton) the women set sail. On board is the clan priestess Enger (Susan Cabot) and stowing away is one of the younger men of the clan Ottar (Jonathan Haze).
Eventually they encounter a sea serpent and a vortex. Their boat capsizes and they are washed ashore on an unknown land. No sooner do they regain their feet when they are surrounded by a band of barbarians on horseback. The barbarians are called Grimaults. The women are taken to a building that looks as if it was built by Vikings. The barbarian leader is called Stark (Richard Devon).
The women find out that their men also washed ashore and are being kept chained and slaving in a mine. Among them is their chief Vedric (Brad Jackson). Desir is in love with Vedric but so is Enger. When the women try to escape and free the men they are caught when a jealous Enger tells Stark what they are up to. Enger then tries to convince Vedric to run away with her but he refuses to leave his people behind. Enger confesses her lover to Vedric but he tells her that he only loves Desir. Once again jealousy rears its ugly head.
Desir tells Stark that she wants both Desir and Vedric killed. She will then give herself to him willingly. Stark accepts her offer. Stark ties both Desir and Vedric to stakes as offerings to the sea serpent god. He says he will release whichever one begs for their own life first. Both Desir and Vedric vow they would rather die than live without each other. Enger ends up moved by their devotion and calls upon the Viking gods to save them. A storm comes up and puts out the fires. The Barbarians are terrified by the storm and run away. In the tumult Stark’s son Senya (Jay Sayer) is struck by lightning. The Vikings escape toward the beach. Stark blames the Vikings for his son’s death and vows vengeance.
“The Saga of the Viking Women and Their Voyage to the Waters of the Great Sea Serpent” AKA “The Viking Women and the Sea Serpent” was released in 1957 and was directed by Roger Corman. It is an adventure fantasy film. Definitely not the longest movie name ever but it is on the list.
As far as low budget “B” movies go it’s not horrible but it’s also not really interesting. Even the titular sea serpent is rarely seen. Probably because it looks a lot like a pool floatie. Don’t get me wrong, I love it. It’s the most interesting thing in the movie. With back screening that Bert I. Gordon would love “Viking Women” is an unusual visual event.
The budget was bigger than a lot of Corman’s films but not near enough to fulfill the concept put forward by the special effects guys Irving Block and Jack Rabin. Although they most likely had good intentions they found themselves in over their heads. The results were painfully obvious when the film was completed. When the best part of your movie is a rubber monster and videos of rolling seas in the background then it is safe to say that this is not your best work.
There are some interesting people in this movie. Abby Dalton played Julia Cumson on the television series “Falcon Crest”. Susan Cabot was in “War of the Satellites” 1958 and played the wasp woman Janice Starlin in “The Wasp Woman” 1959. Richard Devon was in a lot of things, most notably the Satan in Corman’s “The Undead” 1957. He was also in “War of the Satellites” 1958. Jonathan Haze, who plays Ottar, also played Seymour Krelborn in “The Little Shop of Horrors” 1960 and Jeremy Perrin in “Not of This Earth” 1957. Gary Conway was also in the film. He was in “I Was a Teenage Frankenstein” 1957 and “Land of the Giants” television show. A lot of these stars did various Roger Corman films at one time or another.