Routledge The Representation of Vikings in Cinema and Television: Epic and Barbarism on Screen

Exploring the reception and representation of Viking culture in audiovisual media, particularly in cinema and television, this book offers a comprehensive chronological overview of films and television programmes produced in the period from the early 20th century to the present. This volume conceptualises the aesthetic and ideological elements that have shaped the portrayal of Vikings and traces how these have evolved over time. The chapters provide an in-depth analysis of a wide-ranging body of audiovisual works, examining not only the representations themselves but also the broader cultural and historical contexts in which they were produced. Since cinema often reflects the society in which it is created, understanding the motivations behind Viking imagery across different cultural, political, and geographical settings is essential. A distinctive feature of the study lies in its spatial scope: films from various national industries – including those of the United States, the Nordic countries, Italy, Russia, and Poland – are examined to reveal the diverse ways in which Viking identity has been imagined, shaped by each country's own historical and historiographical engagement with the Nordic world. In addition, the book includes an appendix featuring a meticulously compiled catalogue of all the films and series analysed. This resource is intended to support readers who may not be familiar with the works discussed, enhancing their engagement with the study’s conclusions. The Representation of Vikings in Cinema and Television is essential reading for scholars, students and cultural historians interested in the evolving place of Viking imagery in modern popular culture.