The Tartars

Plot

In what is now Russia, a settlement of Vikings lives in peace with both the Tartars and the Slavs. All is well until Togrul, a Tartar chief seeks the help of Oleg, the chief of the Vikings to war on the Slavs in a surprise attack. Oleg refuses and the group does battle ending with Oleg killing Togrul and abducting Togrul's daughter Samia as a hostage.

Burundai, Togrul's brother is furious and wishes the Viking settlement burnt to the ground. His High Priest Ciu Lang reminds Burundai that Samia is promised to the leader of the Tartars as his wife; her safety and return has a higher priority than Burundai's revenge. Burundai gets his chance to retrieve Samia when a Viking longship is attacked with Helga, Oleg's wife and her handmaidens captured. Burundai initially promises to treat Helga well as an exchange for Samia but tortures Helga's handmaidens to discover the strength of the Vikings. He also rapes Helga and gives her to his men for their further pleasure prior to exchanging her for Samia. Meanwhile, Samia has fallen in love with Oleg's brother Eric and is pregnant with Eric's child.

Cast

Production

Filming took place in Rome and Yugoslavia in October 1960.

Box Office

According to MGM records the movie made a profit of $34,000.

Critical

Orson Welles' enunciation has been praised while Victor Mature has been considered a miscast for not having the looks of an archetypal Viking.

Biography