View source for Asterix and the Vikings

{{Short description|2006 Danish animated adventure film}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2018}}
{{Infobox film
| name           = Asterix and the Vikings
| image          = Astérix et les Vikings.jpg
| caption        = French theatrical release poster
| director       = {{Plainlist|
* Stefan Fjeldmark
* [[Jesper Møller (animator)|Jesper Møller]]
}}
| producer       = [[Thomas Valentin (producer)|Thomas Valentin]]
| writer         = {{Plainlist|
* Stefan Fjeldmark
* Jean-Luc Goossens
}}
| based_on       = {{based on|''[[Asterix and the Normans]]''|[[René Goscinny]]<br>[[Albert Uderzo]]}}
| starring       = {{Plainlist|
* [[Sean Astin]]
* [[Brad Garrett]]
* [[Paul Giamatti]]
* [[Evan Rachel Wood]]
* [[Greg Proops]]
}}
| music          = [[Alexandre Azaria]]
| editing        = {{Plainlist|
* Martin Wichmann Andersen
* Anders Hoffmann
}}
| studio         = {{Plainlist|
* [[A. Film Production|A. Film A/S]]
* Mandarin SAS
* 2D3D Animations
}}
| distributor    = SND
| released       = {{Film date|2006|04|12}}
| runtime        = 78 minutes
| country        = {{Plainlist|
* Denmark
* France
}}
| language       = {{Plainlist|English
}}
| budget         = 
| gross          = $22.5 million{{r|Nuhmo}}
}}
'''''Asterix and the Vikings''''' (released in [[French language|French]] as '''''Astérix et les Vikings''''' and [[Danish language|Danish]] as '''''Asterix og Vikingerne''''') is a 2006 Danish-French [[traditional animation|animated]] [[adventure film]] based on the French comic book series ''[[Asterix]]'', written by Stefan Fjeldmark and Jean-Luc Gossens, and directed by Fjeldmark and [[Jesper Møller (animator)|Jesper Møller]]. A loose adaptation of the story of the [[comic album]] ''[[Asterix and the Normans]]'', written by [[René Goscinny]] and illustrated by [[Albert Uderzo]], the plot follows Asterix and Obelix trying to train the nephew of their village's chief, only to find themselves rescuing him from a tribe of vikings who believe him to be a Champion of Fear.

The [[ensemble cast|ensemble voice cast]] features [[Roger Carel]] and [[Jacques Frantz]] as Asterix and Obelix, with [[Paul Giamatti]] and [[Brad Garrett]] headlining the [[dubbing (filmmaking)|English dub]]. Unlike most Asterix films, the film was produced in English first<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.asterix.co.nz/movies/asterixandthevikings.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100602131015/http://www.asterix.co.nz/movies/asterixandthevikings.htm | archive-date=2 June 2010 | title=Asterix Movies : Asterix and the Vikings }}</ref> and the voice cast consisted of American actors rather than British or French actors. This adaptation introduced new characters, [[anachronism|anachronistic]] references about modern technology, and [[cover version]]s of pop songs, such as "[[Get Down on It]]" by [[Kool and the Gang]], "[[Eye of the Tiger]]" by [[Survivor (band)|Survivor]] and "[[Super Freak]]" by [[Rick James]].

== Plot ==
A succession of raids leaves a tribe of [[Vikings]] without anyone to fight against them. The tribe's adviser, Cryptograf, concludes that their enemies have all fled, stating that "fear gives you wings". The Viking's chief, Timandahaf, misinterprets his adviser's words and declares they must find a "Champion of Fear", believing that if the tribe were to become great cowards, they'll be able to fly and become invincible. Cryptograf, secretly wishing to seize power from Timandahaf, goes along with it and declares that they'll find who they seek within [[Gaul]]. While en route, Timandahaf is shocked to learn that his daughter Abba snuck aboard disguised as a man, after he refused to take her with him. Despite being angry, he reluctantly keeps her among his crew.

Meanwhile, in the rebel village of the Gauls, the villagers welcome the arrival of chief Vitalstatistix's nephew Justforkix, who is to be trained to be a man. However, his nephew is more interested in chasing girls, using a bird to send messages to them, and is a [[vegetarian]], much to the shock of Obelix. Obelix and Asterix attempt to train him to be a warrior, but lack success because of his pacifist nature and his refusal to drink the village's magic potion, which gives the villagers their super-human strength. When the Vikings arrive near their village, Cryptograf explains to his incredibly stupid son [[Characters in Asterix|Olaf]] that he could claim Abba as his wife if he were to capture the Champion, thus putting him next in line as the tribe's chief, with his father secretly calling the shots.

When Olaf captures Justforkix, after witnessing his cowardice, Asterix and Obelix find themselves having to rescue him before his father visits their village. Travelling to [[Norway]], the pair attempt to rescue Justforkix. However, he refuses to leave as he has fallen in love with Abba and she with him. When the vikings test Justforkix's flying skills by throwing him from a cliff, Cryptograf secretly rigs up a rope to him that causes him to be suspended in the foggy air. Tricked into believing he is the Champion, the Vikings rush to Olaf's wedding ceremony, leaving Justforkix to be rescued by Asterix and Obelix. Before they can take him back to Gaul, Justforkix secretly takes some magic potion, and swims back to the Viking's village.

Despite the risk, Justforkix rescues Abba, managing to fly by making an improvised [[hang-glider]] from a ship's mast and sail. While Cryptograf and Olaf are shunned for their deception, the Vikings travel back to the Gauls' village to celebrate the wedding of Justforkix and Abba. When Cacofonix decides to sing during the ceremony, the Vikings finally experience real fear and make a run for it. When Asterix asks him what fear is good for, Getafix explains how real courage means overcoming fears.

== Cast ==
{|class="wikitable"
|-
!Character
!English (Original)
!French 
|-
!Justforkix
|[[Sean Astin]]<ref name="And the Vikings">{{Cite web|url=https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/movies/Asterix-and-the-Vikings/|title=Lead Asterix and the Vikings Cast|website=Behind The Voice Actors|language=en-US|access-date=2024-03-09}}</ref>
|[[Lorànt Deutsch]]
|-
!Obelix
|[[Brad Garrett]]<ref name="And the Vikings"/>
|[[Jacques Frantz]]
|-
!Asterix
|[[Paul Giamatti]]<ref name="And the Vikings"/>
|[[Roger Carel]]
|-
!Abba
|[[Evan Rachel Wood]]<ref name="And the Vikings"/>
|[[Sara Forestier]]
|-
!Olaf
|rowspan="2"|[[Diedrich Bader]]<ref name="And the Vikings"/>
|Michel Vigné
|-
!Unhygienix
|Bernard Métraux
|-
!Dogmatix
|rowspan="2"|[[Dee Bradley Baker|Dee B. Baker]]<ref name="And the Vikings"/>
|Roger Carel 
|-
!SMS Pigeon
|Barbara Tissier
|-
!Getafix
|rowspan="2"|[[Jeff Bennett]]<ref name="And the Vikings"/>
|Vania Vilers
|-
!Narrator
|[[Pierre Tchernia]]
|-
!Doublehelix
|[[Corey Burton]]<ref name="And the Vikings"/>
|Luc Florian
|-
!Impedimenta
|[[Grey DeLisle]]<ref name="And the Vikings"/>
|[[Marion Game]]
|-
!Fulliautomatix
|rowspan="2"|[[John DeMita]]<ref name="And the Vikings"/>
|Pascal Renwick
|-
!Nescaf
|Philippe Catoire
|-
!Timandahaf
|[[John DiMaggio]]<ref name="And the Vikings"/>
|[[Marc Alfos]]
|-
!Redbeard
|rowspan="3"|[[Jack Fletcher (voice actor)|Jack Fletcher]]<ref name="And the Vikings"/>
|Unknown 
|-
!Fotograf
|Bruno Dubernat
|-
!Caraf
|Unknown
|-
!Cacofonix
|[[Jess Harnell]]<ref name="And the Vikings"/>
|[[Bernard Alane]]
|-
!Vitalstatistix
|[[Daran Norris]]<ref name="And the Vikings"/>
|[[Vincent Grass]]
|-
!Geriatrix
|[[Philip Proctor]]
|Gérard Surugue
|-
!Cryptograf
|[[Greg Proops]]<ref name="And the Vikings"/>
|[[Pierre Palmade]]
|-
!Dubbledekabus
|[[Dwight Schultz]]<ref name="And the Vikings"/>
|Roland Timsit
|-
!Vikea
|[[April Winchell]]<ref name="And the Vikings"/>
|Brigitte Virtudes
|-
!Young Viking #1
|[[Jill Talley]]
|Jules Azem
|-
!Olibrius
|Jonathan Nichols
|Stéphane Fourreau
|-
!Pirate Lookout
|David Rasner
|[[Med Hondo]]
|-
!Young Viking #2
|Jill Talley
|Victor Naudet
|-
|}
=== Additional Original Voices ===
* [[Philip Proctor]]

== Reception ==
Critical reaction to ''Asterix and the Vikings'' was generally mixed, with much praise on the animation and voice acting, but with criticisms on the film's script.

== Source material ==
{{essay|section|date=July 2017}}
The movie is primarily based on ''Asterix and the Normans'', but there are some elements from other Asterix books:
* As in ''[[Asterix and the Great Crossing]]'', Asterix and Obelix travel on a boat to the land of Vikings (in the original book [[Asterix and the Normans]] they free Justforkix from Norman camp on the beach). Some other elements from this book include the Viking party, and joke about Obelix supply for the journey. The dog from the book makes a cameo.
* The scene when Asterix and Obelix dress up as Vikings "Asteraf" and "Obelaf", with Obelix unable to stop laughing about it, resembles the scene from ''[[Asterix and the Goths]]'' when the duo dress up as [[Roman empire|Romans]] "Asterus" and "Obelus". However, Obelix did find the names of the Normans hysterical in [[Asterix and the Normans]], because they all ended in -af.
* The character of Cryptograf is similar to Prolix from ''[[Asterix and the Soothsayer]]''.
* The scene in which the Gauls attack a Roman camp for Justforkix's amusement is similar to a scene in ''[[Asterix in Corsica]]''.
* The character Influenza, from the book ''[[Asterix and Caesar's Gift]]'', appears during the party scene, dancing briefly with Justforkix, and at the end of the movie, serving boars at Justforkix' wedding party.
* The wig on Olaf's bride/menhir is in the form of Panacea's wig from ''[[Asterix and the Actress]]''.

== Box office ==
* In the [[Netherlands]], the film has grossed a total of [[Euro|€]] 361,747.{{r|HUxS6}} The Dutch name for the film is "Asterix en de Vikingen".

== References ==
{{reflist|refs=
<ref name="Nuhmo">{{cite web
  | title      = ASTÉRIX ET LES VIKINGS
  | url        = http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/intl/?page=&country=SE&id=_fASTERIXETLESVIKI01
  | publisher  = Box Office Mojo
  | access-date = 26 November 2011
}}</ref>
<ref name="HUxS6">{{cite web
  | url         = http://www.sneakpoint.nl/boxoffice.php
  | title       = Boxoffice NL
  | publisher   = Sneakpoint.nl
  | access-date  = 31 December 2010
  | url-status     = dead
  | archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20060626033620/http://www.sneakpoint.nl/boxoffice.php
  | archive-date = 26 June 2006
}}</ref>
}}

== External links ==
* {{IMDb title|0371552|Astérix et les Vikings}}
* {{Rotten Tomatoes|asterix_and_the_vikings}}

{{Asterix|Vikings, Asterix and the|type=film}}

[[Category:2006 films]]
[[Category:2006 animated films]]
[[Category:2000s fantasy adventure films]]
[[Category:2006 romantic comedy films]]
[[Category:2000s French-language films]]
[[Category:French animated fantasy films]]
[[Category:Danish animated fantasy films]]
[[Category:French children's films]]
[[Category:Danish children's films]]
[[Category:Asterix films]]
[[Category:Films set in Norway]]
[[Category:Animated films set in the Viking Age]]
[[Category:French animated comedy films]]
[[Category:Animated adventure films]]
[[Category:Animated films based on French comics]]
[[Category:Animated films set in Europe]]
[[Category:Films directed by Jesper Møller]]
[[Category:2000s children's animated films]]
[[Category:2000s French films]]
[[Category:Animated films set in Scandinavia]]
[[Category:Films scored by Alexandre Azaria]]