Commission

Explorers, Armadas and the Ancient World: From the Argo to the Santa Maria

Greek triremes, Roman galleys, Viking longships, the caravels of Columbus, the Spanish Armada and the ships that appear on the horizon at the end of Apocalypto. These are the vessels that opened the world, and the films that brought them back.

This chapter of Ships on Screen holds 80 ships and boats. For each one you will find the film or the book, the year, who was in it, what the ship does in the story, and the scene we would bring to life. See all 1,404 ships on one page.

Marea can build every one of these ships as a scale model, with the maximum detail the scale permits, finished to be inspected. But we don’t stop at the ship. We bring the scene with it: a few hand painted figurines on deck, caught in the one moment you remember. It isn’t a diorama. It’s the ship, with its story on board.

This database was put together by Ai Refloat™, Marea’s own artificial intelligence. Ai Refloat is still young & like any teenager, it can be a little volatile and unpredictable at times, but above all, it is learning fast. So this list may well contain mistakes and we welcome the input of everyone who knows these films, books and ships better than we do: listening, correcting and learning is one of the many ways we work towards perfection in this craft.

Have you spotted a mistake? Tell us which film, series, book, cartoon or boat, and we will amend it accordingly. Tell us here

The ships

  1. Explorers, Armadas and Ancient Ships · Age of discovery

    Cabral's fleet Real ship

    O Descobrimento do Brasil (1936)

    Directed by Humberto Mauro

    Starring Alvaro Costa, Alfredo Silva, Manoel Rocha

    The Brazilian film recreates Pedro Alvares Cabral's 1500 voyage and landfall in Brazil, following the letter of Pero Vaz de Caminha. It has a score by Heitor Villa-Lobos.

    The Marea scene Cabral's ships at anchor as the first Mass is said on the Brazilian shore.

    Photo: Unknown author, Public domain

  2. Explorers, Armadas and Ancient Ships · Age of discovery

    Cortes's fleet at Villa Rica Real ship

    Captain from Castile (1947)

    Directed by Henry King

    Starring Tyrone Power, Jean Peters, Cesar Romero

    Pedro de Vargas joins Hernan Cortes's expedition to Mexico. To stop any retreat, Cortes orders his ships burned at Villa Rica.

    The Marea scene Cortes's ships blaze in the bay while his soldiers watch from the shore.

    Photo: Wikipedia

  3. Explorers, Armadas and Ancient Ships · Age of discovery

    Santa Maria Real ship

    Christopher Columbus (1949)

    Directed by David MacDonald

    Starring Fredric March, Florence Eldridge, Francis L. Sullivan, James Robertson Justice

    The Gainsborough biopic follows Columbus to the court of Ferdinand and Isabella and on his 1492 voyage. The Santa Maria carries him to the New World.

    The Marea scene Columbus at the Santa Maria's rail as land is sighted.

    On set Replicas of the Santa Maria and Nina built in Spain and brought to London in April 1948; in a Caribbean squall off Barbados the Santa Maria replica broke free and caught fire, costing some 100,000 pounds to rebuild.

    Photo: Edward H. Hart, Public domain

  4. Explorers, Armadas and Ancient Ships · Age of discovery

    Mayflower Real ship

    Plymouth Adventure (1952)

    Directed by Clarence Brown

    Starring Spencer Tracy, Gene Tierney, Van Johnson, Leo Genn

    Spencer Tracy's Captain Christopher Jones carries the Pilgrims across the Atlantic in 1620, amid a fictional love triangle with Dorothy Bradford. The film won the Academy Award for Best Effects.

    The Marea scene Captain Jones on the Mayflower's quarterdeck as a storm breaks over the ship.

    Photo: A. S. Burbank, Public domain

  5. Explorers, Armadas and Ancient Ships · Age of discovery

    Aguirre's raft Fictional

    Aguirre, the Wrath of God (1972)

    Directed by Werner Herzog

    Starring Klaus Kinski, Helena Rojo, Del Negro, Ruy Guerra

    A detachment of Gonzalo Pizarro's expedition drifts down the Amazon on rafts in search of El Dorado. Under Lope de Aguirre the survivors sink into madness, starvation and death.

    The Marea scene Aguirre alone on the drifting raft, surrounded by corpses and hundreds of small monkeys.

    On set Rafts built by local craftspeople in Peru; river filming on the Huallaga and Nanay rivers and the Urubamba valley. Floods destroyed early rafts, an event written into the film.

    Photo: Sawyer Studios, Public domain

  6. Explorers, Armadas and Ancient Ships · Age of discovery

    Mayflower Real ship

    Mayflower: The Pilgrims' Adventure (1979)

    Directed by George Schaefer

    Starring Anthony Hopkins, Richard Crenna, Jenny Agutter, Michael Beck

    The CBS television film follows the 1620 crossing from Plymouth, England, to Cape Cod, with Anthony Hopkins as Captain Christopher Jones. Romance among the passengers drives the story.

    The Marea scene Hopkins's Captain Jones at the helm in mid-Atlantic.

    Photo: A. S. Burbank, Public domain

  7. Explorers, Armadas and Ancient Ships · Age of discovery

    Santa Maria, Nina and Pinta Real ship

    Christopher Columbus (1985)

    Created by Alberto Lattuada

    Starring Gabriel Byrne, Faye Dunaway, Max von Sydow, Oliver Reed

    The RAI and CBS miniseries follows Columbus from Genoa to his four voyages. The three ships carry the 1492 expedition, with Oliver Reed as Martin Pinzon.

    The Marea scene Byrne's Columbus on the Santa Maria as the three ships sail west.

    On set Ships built in Malta and floated in the 450 by 300 ft surface tank at Mediterranean Film Studios; also filmed in Spain and the Dominican Republic.

    Photo: Edward H. Hart, Public domain

  8. Explorers, Armadas and Ancient Ships · Age of discovery

    HMS Endeavour Real ship

    Captain James Cook (1987)

    Created by Lawrence Gordon Clark

    Starring Keith Michell, John Gregg

    The Australian miniseries follows James Cook's life and voyages, including the Endeavour expedition that charted the east coast of Australia in 1770.

    The Marea scene Cook and Joseph Banks on the Endeavour's deck as the Australian coast comes into view.

    Photo: Samuel Atkins (c.1760-1810), Public domain

  9. Explorers, Armadas and Ancient Ships · Age of discovery

    Ursua's brigantines Real ship

    El Dorado (1988)

    Directed by Carlos Saura

    Starring Omero Antonutti, Lambert Wilson, Eusebio Poncela, Ines Sastre

    Pedro de Ursua's 1560 expedition goes down the Amazon and Orinoco in search of El Dorado. Lope de Aguirre murders his way to command as the boats drift on.

    The Marea scene Aguirre stands in the bow of a brigantine drifting down the brown river.

    Photo: John Robinson, George Francis Dow, Public domain

  10. Explorers, Armadas and Ancient Ships · Age of discovery

    Narvaez expedition boats Real ship

    Cabeza de Vaca (1991)

    Directed by Nicolas Echevarria

    Starring Juan Diego, Daniel Gimenez Cacho, Roberto Sosa, Carlos Castanon

    Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca is one of four survivors of the wrecked Narvaez expedition of 1527. The film follows his years among the peoples of the Gulf coast, based on his account Naufragios.

    The Marea scene Cabeza de Vaca and a few survivors wash ashore from a wrecked boat on the Gulf coast.

    Photo: Wikipedia

  11. Explorers, Armadas and Ancient Ships · Age of discovery

    Santa Maria Real ship

    1492: Conquest of Paradise (1992)

    Directed by Ridley Scott

    Starring Gerard Depardieu, Sigourney Weaver, Armand Assante, Michael Wincott

    Columbus's flagship carries him across the Atlantic in 1492, against the doubts of his crew and the Pinzon brothers. The film marked the 500th anniversary of the voyage.

    The Marea scene Columbus climbs the rigging of the Santa Maria as the crew sight land.

    Photo: Edward H. Hart, Public domain

  12. Explorers, Armadas and Ancient Ships · Age of discovery

    Nina and Pinta Real ship

    1492: Conquest of Paradise (1992)

    Directed by Ridley Scott

    Starring Gerard Depardieu, Tcheky Karyo, Sigourney Weaver, Armand Assante

    The two caravels sail with the Santa Maria, the Pinta under Martin Alonso Pinzon, played by Tcheky Karyo. They complete Columbus's small fleet.

    The Marea scene The three ships in line ahead leaving Palos at dawn.

    On set Replicas built at Isla Cristina, now at the Wharf of the Caravels, Palos de la Frontera, Spain.

    Photo: Gustav Adolf Closs, Public domain

  13. Explorers, Armadas and Ancient Ships · Age of discovery

    Santa Maria Real ship

    Carry On Columbus (1992)

    Directed by Gerald Thomas

    Starring Jim Dale, Bernard Cribbins, Leslie Phillips, Rik Mayall

    The last Carry On film sends Jim Dale's Columbus and a crew of misfits across the Atlantic. It was rushed out for the 1992 quincentenary.

    The Marea scene Jim Dale's Columbus peers through a telescope from the Santa Maria's poop deck.

    Photo: Edward H. Hart, Public domain

  14. Explorers, Armadas and Ancient Ships · Age of discovery

    Santa Maria, Nina and Pinta Real ship

    Christopher Columbus: The Discovery (1992)

    Directed by John Glen

    Starring Georges Corraface, Tom Selleck, Rachel Ward, Marlon Brando

    The Salkind production follows Columbus from his struggle for royal backing to the landfall of 1492. The three ships carry the expedition and a near mutiny on the crossing.

    The Marea scene Columbus faces his mutinous crew on the deck of the Santa Maria days before landfall.

    Photo: Edward H. Hart, Public domain

  15. Explorers, Armadas and Ancient Ships · Age of discovery

    Susan Constant Real ship

    Pocahontas (1995)

    Created by Mike Gabriel and Eric Goldberg

    Starring Irene Bedard, Mel Gibson, David Ogden Stiers, Christian Bale

    The Susan Constant carries John Smith, Governor Ratcliffe and the Virginia Company settlers from London to the New World. In a storm Thomas is washed overboard and Smith dives in on a rope to save him.

    The Marea scene John Smith swings down the side of the storm-tossed Susan Constant on a rope to rescue Thomas.

    On set Hand-drawn animation; no physical ship.

    Photo: Warfieldian, CC BY-SA 3.0

  16. Explorers, Armadas and Ancient Ships · Age of discovery

    Susan Constant, Godspeed and Discovery Real ship

    The New World (2005)

    Directed by Terrence Malick

    Starring Colin Farrell, Q'orianka Kilcher, Christian Bale, Christopher Plummer

    The three ships of the Virginia Company arrive in Chesapeake Bay in 1607 under Christopher Newport. Their arrival, seen from the shore by the Powhatan, opens the film.

    The Marea scene The three ships glide up the river into the forest as Powhatan people watch from the reeds.

    On set Replicas of Susan Constant, Godspeed and Discovery were used. Filmed in Virginia.

    Photo: Warfieldian, CC BY-SA 3.0

  17. Explorers, Armadas and Ancient Ships · Age of discovery

    Spanish ships off the Yucatan coast Fictional

    Apocalypto (2006)

    Directed by Mel Gibson

    Starring Rudy Youngblood, Raoul Trujillo, Dalia Hernandez, Jonathan Brewer

    In the final scene Jaguar Paw and his two remaining pursuers reach the shore and see Spanish ships at anchor and conquistadors rowing ashore. The pursuers walk towards the strangers while Jaguar Paw returns for his family and disappears into the forest.

    The Marea scene Jaguar Paw and the Maya raiders stop dead on the beach as the Spanish ships ride at anchor and a boat with a friar holding a cross comes ashore.

    On set Filmed in Veracruz state, Mexico; armourer Simon Atherton cameos as the cross-bearing friar.

    Photo: Wikipedia

  18. Explorers, Armadas and Ancient Ships · Age of discovery

    Muslim pilgrim ship burned by Vasco da Gama Real ship

    Urumi (2011)

    Directed by Santosh Sivan

    Starring Prithviraj Sukumaran, Prabhu Deva, Genelia D'Souza, Arya

    The film opens with Vasco da Gama's Portuguese capturing a ship full of Muslim pilgrims, locking the passengers in the hold and setting it alight. The hero's father dies in the attack, driving his revenge.

    The Marea scene Da Gama's men torch the pilgrim ship while Chirakkal envoys look on from a small boat.

    Photo: Wikipedia

  19. Explorers, Armadas and Ancient Ships · Age of discovery

    Kon-Tiki Real ship

    Kon-Tiki (2012)

    Directed by Joachim Rønning and Espen Sandberg

    Starring Pål Sverre Hagen, Anders Baasmo Christiansen, Tobias Santelmann, Gustaf Skarsgård

    Thor Heyerdahl and five companions drift 101 days across the Pacific from Peru to Polynesia in 1947 on a balsa raft to prove his theory of ancient migration.

    The Marea scene The crew huddle on the raft as a whale shark circles beneath the logs.

    On set A new balsa raft built for the film using traditional techniques; ocean scenes shot on open sea, with filming in Norway, Malta, Bulgaria, Thailand, Sweden and the Maldives. The original raft is in the Kon-Tiki Museum, Oslo.

    Photo: Bahnfrend, CC BY-SA 4.0

  20. Explorers, Armadas and Ancient Ships · Age of discovery

    Mayflower Real ship

    Saints & Strangers (2015)

    Created by Paul A. Edwards

    Starring Ray Stevenson, Vincent Kartheiser, Anna Camp, Ron Livingston

    The National Geographic miniseries follows the Mayflower passengers' crossing and the first year at Plymouth Colony, including the alliance with the Wampanoag.

    The Marea scene Passengers crowd the Mayflower's deck as the coast of Cape Cod comes into view.

    Photo: A. S. Burbank, Public domain

  21. Explorers, Armadas and Ancient Ships · Age of discovery

    Victoria, Trinidad, San Antonio, Concepcion and Santiago Real ship

    Elcano & Magellan: The First Voyage Around the World (2019)

    Created by Angel Alonso

    Starring Kiko Jauregui, Inaki Beraetxe (Spanish voices)

    Young Elcano signs on with Magellan's five ship expedition from Seville in 1519 to escape debt. After Magellan's death he takes command and completes the first circumnavigation.

    The Marea scene Elcano at the Victoria's helm rounding the Cape of Good Hope on the way home.

    On set Animated; no physical ships.

    Photo: Gnsin, CC BY-SA 3.0

  22. Explorers, Armadas and Ancient Ships · Age of discovery

    Cortes's fleet Real ship

    Hernan (2019)

    Created by Norberto Lopez Amado and Julian de Tavira

    Starring Oscar Jaenada, Dagoberto Gama, Ishbel Bautista, Michel Brown

    The series follows Hernan Cortes from his arrival on the Mexican coast in 1519 to the fall of Tenochtitlan. Made for the 500th anniversary of the conquest.

    The Marea scene Cortes's ships anchored off the Veracruz coast as the Spanish land.

    Photo: Wikipedia

  23. Explorers, Armadas and Ancient Ships · Age of discovery

    Victoria and Trinidad Real ship

    Boundless (Sin limites) (2022)

    Created by Simon West

    Starring Rodrigo Santoro, Alvaro Morte, Sergio Peris-Mencheta, Barbara Goenaga

    The Amazon and RTVE miniseries dramatises Magellan and Elcano's 1519 to 1522 circumnavigation, putting both men on the same ship for drama. Of five ships and some 239 men, only the Victoria and 18 men returned.

    The Marea scene Elcano brings the battered Victoria home up the Guadalquivir with the last 18 survivors on deck.

    On set The production reconstructed the Victoria and Trinidad and used the Nao Victoria replica; sea scenes at Pinewood Dominican Republic Studios, with locations in Navarre, the Basque Country and Seville.

    Photo: Gnsin, CC BY-SA 3.0

  24. Explorers, Armadas and Ancient Ships · Age of discovery

    Victoria (Magellan's fleet) Real ship

    Magellan (2025)

    Directed by Lav Diaz

    Starring Gael Garcia Bernal, Ronnie Lazaro, Amado Arjay Babon

    Lav Diaz's slow cinema epic follows Ferdinand Magellan's expedition to the Spice Islands and its violent end in the Philippines. The ships carry the colonisers into first contact with the islands.

    The Marea scene Magellan's ship at anchor off a Philippine shore as boats take the Spaniards to the beach.

    On set Filmed in Quezon province (Philippines), southern Portugal and Cadiz.

    Photo: Gnsin, CC BY-SA 3.0

  25. Explorers, Armadas and Ancient Ships · Ancient and mythic

    Cleopatra's royal barge Real ship

    Cleopatra (1934)

    Directed by Cecil B. DeMille

    Starring Claudette Colbert, Warren William, Henry Wilcoxon

    Cleopatra receives Mark Antony aboard her barge and seduces him in DeMille's most famous set piece. The film ends with the naval defeat at Actium, shown in a montage.

    The Marea scene Cleopatra reclines on her couch before a vast arch of ostrich plumes as Antony comes aboard.

    On set Studio set at Paramount; the plume arch used 600 ostrich feathers, 20 ft tall and 30 ft wide. Actium was a montage by Gordon Jennings and William Cameron Menzies.

    Photo: Wikipedia

  26. Explorers, Armadas and Ancient Ships · Ancient and mythic

    Ulysses's ship Fictional

    Ulysses (1954)

    Directed by Mario Camerini

    Starring Kirk Douglas, Silvana Mangano, Anthony Quinn

    Ulysses and his crew sail home from Troy through the adventures of the Odyssey. Their ship carries them to the island of the Cyclops Polyphemus and past the Sirens.

    The Marea scene Ulysses, bound to the mast, strains against the ropes while his crew row on with their ears stopped against the Sirens.

    Photo: Henri Sbonski de Passebon, Public domain

  27. Explorers, Armadas and Ancient Ships · Ancient and mythic

    Paris's ship Fictional

    Helen of Troy (1956)

    Directed by Robert Wise

    Starring Rossana Podesta, Jacques Sernas, Cedric Hardwicke, Stanley Baker

    Paris sails to Sparta on a peace mission, but his ship is wrecked in a storm and he is washed ashore, where he meets Helen. Their flight together by sea brings the Greek fleet to Troy.

    The Marea scene Paris, washed up on the Spartan shore beside the wreck of his ship, is found by Helen.

    Photo: Henri Sbonski de Passebon, Public domain

  28. Explorers, Armadas and Ancient Ships · Ancient and mythic

    Sinbad's ship Fictional

    The 7th Voyage of Sinbad (1958)

    Directed by Nathan Juran

    Starring Kerwin Mathews, Kathryn Grant, Torin Thatcher, Richard Eyer

    Sinbad sails to the island of Colossa to find a cure for Princess Parisa, shrunk by the sorcerer Sokurah. His ship carries the crew into encounters with Ray Harryhausen's Cyclops and roc.

    The Marea scene Sinbad's crew row frantically back to the ship as the Cyclops wades into the surf after them.

    Photo: Columbia Pictures, Public domain

  29. Explorers, Armadas and Ancient Ships · Ancient and mythic

    Flagship galley of Consul Quintus Arrius Fictional

    Ben-Hur (1959)

    Directed by William Wyler

    Starring Charlton Heston, Jack Hawkins, Stephen Boyd, Haya Harareet

    Judah Ben-Hur rows as galley slave number 41 aboard the flagship of Quintus Arrius. During a battle with Macedonian pirates the galley is rammed and sunk, and Judah rescues Arrius, which wins him his freedom and adoption.

    The Marea scene The hortator beats ramming speed while Arrius watches the chained rowers, Judah among them, strain at the oars.

    On set Two seaworthy 175 ft galleys built from museum plans and floated on an artificial lake with wave machines at Cinecitta, Rome; more than 40 miniature ships shot in a tank at MGM Culver City.

    Photo: Henri Sbonski de Passebon, Public domain

  30. Explorers, Armadas and Ancient Ships · Ancient and mythic

    Cleopatra's royal barge Real ship

    Cleopatra (1963)

    Directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz

    Starring Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, Rex Harrison, Roddy McDowall

    Cleopatra sails to Tarsus in a gilded barge to meet Mark Antony and bind him to Egypt. The barge arrival is one of the most lavish images in a film that became the most expensive ever made at the time.

    The Marea scene The golden barge glides into Tarsus with Cleopatra enthroned beneath a canopy as Antony waits on the quay.

    On set Barge built for the production; the Tarsus scene was completed on 23 June 1962, Taylor's last day of principal photography.

    Photo: After Howard Terpning, Public domain

  31. Explorers, Armadas and Ancient Ships · Ancient and mythic

    Egyptian and Roman fleets at Actium Real ship

    Cleopatra (1963)

    Directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz

    Starring Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, Rex Harrison, Roddy McDowall

    Antony and Cleopatra's combined fleet meets Octavian at the Battle of Actium. Cleopatra's flagship withdraws when she believes Antony dead, and Antony follows, sealing their defeat.

    The Marea scene Antony stands on the deck of his burning galley watching Cleopatra's flagship turn away from the battle.

    Photo: Mark Landon, CC BY 4.0

  32. Explorers, Armadas and Ancient Ships · Ancient and mythic

    Argo Fictional

    Jason and the Argonauts (1963)

    Directed by Don Chaffey

    Starring Todd Armstrong, Nancy Kovack, Gary Raymond, Laurence Naismith

    Jason and his crew sail the Argo in search of the Golden Fleece, guided by the goddess Hera, whose face forms the ship's figurehead. Ray Harryhausen's stop motion creatures attack the ship on its voyage.

    The Marea scene The bronze giant Talos straddles the harbour mouth and lifts the Argo out of the water as the crew scatter.

    On set Several scales of model: a tiny Argo for Talos, a larger miniature for the Clashing Rocks in a tank, and a full-size deck section on stage at Shepperton Studios.

    Photo: Konstantinos Volanakis, Public domain

  33. Explorers, Armadas and Ancient Ships · Ancient and mythic

    Antony's fleet at Actium Real ship

    Antony and Cleopatra (1972)

    Directed by Charlton Heston

    Starring Charlton Heston, Hildegard Neil, Eric Porter, John Castle

    Heston's adaptation of Shakespeare stages the Battle of Actium, where Antony's fleet is beaten by Octavius. The sea battle uses superimposed shots and, reportedly, leftover galley footage from Ben-Hur (1959).

    The Marea scene Antony watches from his galley as Cleopatra's ships flee the line at Actium.

    On set Reportedly reused footage from Ben-Hur (1959).

    Photo: Mark Landon, CC BY 4.0

  34. Explorers, Armadas and Ancient Ships · Ancient and mythic

    Sinbad's ship with siren figurehead Fictional

    The Golden Voyage of Sinbad (1973)

    Directed by Gordon Hessler

    Starring John Phillip Law, Caroline Munro, Tom Baker

    Sinbad races the sorcerer Koura to the Fountain of Destiny. Koura brings the ship's wooden siren figurehead to life to steal Sinbad's map.

    The Marea scene The carved figurehead wrenches itself free of the bow and attacks the crew on deck.

    On set Filmed in Madrid and Mallorca; Harryhausen admitted a dhow would not really carry a figurehead.

    Photo: Muhammad Mahdi Karim, GFDL 1.2

  35. Explorers, Armadas and Ancient Ships · Ancient and mythic

    Sinbad's ship Fictional

    Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger (1977)

    Directed by Sam Wanamaker

    Starring Patrick Wayne, Taryn Power, Jane Seymour, Patrick Troughton

    Sinbad sails north to Hyperborea to break a curse that has turned Prince Kassim into a baboon. His ship is pursued by the sorceress Zenobia.

    The Marea scene Sinbad's ship under full sail in icy northern waters.

    Photo: Wikipedia

  36. Explorers, Armadas and Ancient Ships · Ancient and mythic

    Zenobia's boat rowed by the Minoton Fictional

    Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger (1977)

    Directed by Sam Wanamaker

    Starring Margaret Whiting, Patrick Wayne, Peter Mayhew, Jane Seymour

    The sorceress Zenobia chases Sinbad in a boat rowed by the Minoton, a bronze bull-headed automaton she created. It is one of Harryhausen's most memorable creature and vessel combinations.

    The Marea scene The bronze Minoton pulls at the great oar while Zenobia stands at the stern.

    Photo: Wikipedia

  37. Explorers, Armadas and Ancient Ships · Ancient and mythic

    Odysseus's ship Fictional

    The Odyssey (1997)

    Created by Andrei Konchalovsky

    Starring Armand Assante, Greta Scacchi, Isabella Rossellini, Vanessa Williams

    Odysseus's ship carries him and his men on the long voyage home from Troy to Ithaca. It takes them to the islands of the Cyclops, Circe and Calypso, and is lost along the way.

    The Marea scene Odysseus lashed to the mast as the Sirens call from the rocks.

    On set Purpose-built ship, later reused for Jason and the Argonauts (2000). Filmed in Malta, Turkey and England.

    Photo: Wikimedia Commons

  38. Explorers, Armadas and Ancient Ships · Ancient and mythic

    Argo Fictional

    Jason and the Argonauts (2000)

    Created by Nick Willing

    Starring Jason London, Frank Langella, Jolene Blalock, Dennis Hopper

    In this NBC miniseries Jason gathers a crew of heroes aboard the Argo to fetch the Golden Fleece from Colchis. The ship carries them past the dangers of the myth to King Aeetes and Medea.

    The Marea scene Jason stands at the Argo's steering oar as the crew row between the clashing rocks.

    Photo: Konstantinos Volanakis, Public domain

  39. Explorers, Armadas and Ancient Ships · Ancient and mythic

    The Greek fleet (Achilles's Myrmidon ship with black sail) Fictional

    Troy (2004)

    Directed by Wolfgang Petersen

    Starring Brad Pitt, Eric Bana, Orlando Bloom, Diane Kruger

    A thousand Greek ships carry Agamemnon's army to Troy to recover Helen. Achilles's Myrmidons, marked out by the only black sail in the fleet, race ahead and storm the beach first.

    The Marea scene Achilles leaps from the bow of his black-sailed ship onto the Trojan beach ahead of the fleet.

    On set Two functional 40-yard steel ships with wood cladding built in Malta for sea scenes, plus wooden ships (full and half hulls) for the Greek beach camp in Mexico; the rest of the 1,000-ship armada was CGI by Framestore CFC.

    Photo: Henri Sbonski de Passebon, Public domain

  40. Explorers, Armadas and Ancient Ships · Ancient and mythic

    Evan's ark Fictional

    Evan Almighty (2007)

    Directed by Tom Shadyac

    Starring Steve Carell, Morgan Freeman, Lauren Graham, John Goodman

    A newly elected congressman is told by God to build an ark in his suburban neighbourhood. When a dam bursts, the ark carries his family, neighbours and animals down the flood to Washington.

    The Marea scene Evan in his robe and beard stands on the ark's deck as the animals file up the ramp.

    On set Full-size ark built at Old Trail, Crozet, Virginia; dismantled within two weeks after filming and the timber donated to Habitat for Humanity.

    Photo: Edward Hicks, Public domain

  41. Explorers, Armadas and Ancient Ships · Ancient and mythic

    Themistocles's Greek triremes Real ship

    300: Rise of an Empire (2014)

    Directed by Noam Murro

    Starring Sullivan Stapleton, Eva Green, Lena Headey, Rodrigo Santoro

    The Athenian general Themistocles leads a smaller Greek fleet against the Persian navy at Artemisium and Salamis. His triremes use speed and ramming tactics against the larger enemy ships.

    The Marea scene Themistocles rides his horse across the decks of rammed ships in the middle of the sea battle.

    On set Partial ship sets on gimbals at Nu Boyana Film Studios, Sofia, Bulgaria; the ocean, fleets and destruction were CGI (Scanline VFX and others).

    Photo: Tungsten, Public domain

  42. Explorers, Armadas and Ancient Ships · Ancient and mythic

    Artemisia's Persian flagship and fleet Real ship

    300: Rise of an Empire (2014)

    Directed by Noam Murro

    Starring Eva Green, Sullivan Stapleton, Rodrigo Santoro, Lena Headey

    Artemisia commands the Persian navy for Xerxes and pits her far larger ships against Themistocles. Her fleet is destroyed in a night fire battle and finally at Salamis.

    The Marea scene Artemisia stands at the prow of her towering flagship, sword drawn, as it bears down on the Greek line.

    On set Only about a third of the huge Persian ships could fit on stage as gimbal sets at Nu Boyana, Sofia; the rest was CGI.

    Photo: The Department of History, United S, Public domain

  43. Explorers, Armadas and Ancient Ships · Ancient and mythic

    Noah's Ark Fictional

    Noah (2014)

    Directed by Darren Aronofsky

    Starring Russell Crowe, Jennifer Connelly, Ray Winstone, Emma Watson

    Noah builds the ark with the help of the Watchers to save his family and the animals from the Flood. Much of the drama takes place inside the sealed ark as it drifts on the waters.

    The Marea scene Noah stands on the ark's roof as the rain begins and the crowds rush the doors.

    On set Full-scale ark set built at Planting Fields Arboretum, Upper Brookville, New York; other filming in Iceland.

    Photo: Edward Hicks, Public domain

  44. Explorers, Armadas and Ancient Ships · Ancient and mythic

    Roman galley Fictional

    Ben-Hur (2016)

    Directed by Timur Bekmambetov

    Starring Jack Huston, Toby Kebbell, Morgan Freeman, Rodrigo Santoro

    Judah is enslaved as a galley rower in the Roman fleet. His galley is destroyed in a naval engagement in the Ionian Sea, and he survives by clinging to a mast before being found by Sheik Ilderim.

    The Marea scene Judah clings to a floating mast amid the wreckage of the sunken galley.

    Photo: Henri Sbonski de Passebon, Public domain

  45. Explorers, Armadas and Ancient Ships · Ancient and mythic

    Odysseus's warship Fictional

    The Odyssey (2026)

    Directed by Christopher Nolan

    Starring Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson

    Odysseus commands his crew on the ten-year voyage home from Troy to Ithaca. Nolan filmed on real seas to show how hard such journeys were.

    The Marea scene Odysseus at the steering oar as his crew row through heavy seas.

    On set Draken Harald Harfagre, the largest modern Viking longship (built in Norway), doubled as the Greek warship and was sailed to each filming location in six countries.

    Photo: Odd Roar Aalborg, CC BY-SA 4.0

  46. Explorers, Armadas and Ancient Ships · Archaeology

    Sutton Hoo ship burial Real ship

    The Dig (2021)

    Directed by Simon Stone

    Starring Carey Mulligan, Ralph Fiennes, Lily James, Johnny Flynn

    In 1939 the landowner Edith Pretty hires the local excavator Basil Brown to dig the mounds on her Suffolk estate. He uncovers the imprint of a great Anglo-Saxon ship.

    The Marea scene Basil Brown standing in the trench among the rows of iron rivets that trace the buried ship's hull.

    On set The real Sutton Hoo ship survives only as rivets and an imprint; finds are in the British Museum.

    Photo: Alex Healing, CC BY 2.0

  47. Explorers, Armadas and Ancient Ships · Armadas and empires

    Sakr-el-Bahr's corsair galley and Spanish ships Fictional

    The Sea Hawk (1924)

    Directed by Frank Lloyd

    Starring Milton Sills, Enid Bennett, Lloyd Hughes, Wallace Beery

    An English nobleman sold into slavery rows in a Spanish galley, escapes and becomes the Barbary corsair Sakr-el-Bahr. Based on Rafael Sabatini's novel.

    The Marea scene Oliver Tressilian, chained at the oar, looks up as the Barbary corsairs board the Spanish galley.

    On set Full-sized ships rather than miniatures, designed by Fred Gabourie by dressing existing wooden vessels, costing 200,000 dollars; filmed off Catalina Island. Warner Bros. later reused them, and footage appeared in Captain Blood (1935) and The Sea Hawk (1940).

    Photo: Henri Sbonski de Passebon, Public domain

  48. Explorers, Armadas and Ancient Ships · Armadas and empires

    Spanish Armada and English fireships Real ship

    Fire Over England (1937)

    Directed by William K. Howard

    Starring Flora Robson, Laurence Olivier, Vivien Leigh, Raymond Massey

    Michael Ingolby, an English spy at the court of Philip II, returns with the Armada's plans. The English defeat the Armada with a night fireship attack on the fleet massed off the coast.

    The Marea scene Ingolby steers a blazing fireship into the anchored Armada at night.

    On set Model ships in a large water tank at Denham Studios; the footage was reused in the 1939 propaganda film The Lion Has Wings.

    Photo: Robert Adams, Augustine Ryther, Public domain

  49. Explorers, Armadas and Ancient Ships · Armadas and empires

    Spanish galleass with galley slaves Fictional

    The Sea Hawk (1940)

    Directed by Michael Curtiz

    Starring Errol Flynn, Brenda Marshall, Claude Rains, Alan Hale

    Captured in Panama, Thorpe and his men are chained as rowers in a Spanish galley. They break free and take the ship, sailing home to warn the Queen.

    The Marea scene Thorpe and the chained rowers turn on their overseer below decks.

    Photo: Rowanwindwhistler, CC BY-SA 3.0

  50. Explorers, Armadas and Ancient Ships · Armadas and empires

    Raleigh's ship Fictional

    The Virgin Queen (1955)

    Directed by Henry Koster

    Starring Bette Davis, Richard Todd, Joan Collins

    Elizabeth grants Walter Raleigh one ship rather than the three he wants, and he sets about refitting her for the New World. The film ends with Raleigh and Beth Throckmorton sailing away.

    The Marea scene Raleigh and Beth at the rail as the ship leaves for the New World.

    Photo: Desconhecido, Public domain

  51. Explorers, Armadas and Ancient Ships · Armadas and empires

    Golden Hind Real ship

    Sir Francis Drake (1961)

    Created by Anthony Bushell; directors Clive Donner and Harry Booth

    Starring Terence Morgan, Jean Kent, Michael Crawford, Roger Delgado

    Terence Morgan plays Drake across 26 episodes of sea battles, sword fights and intrigue at Elizabeth's court. The Golden Hind is his ship throughout.

    The Marea scene Drake and his crew clear the Golden Hind's deck for action.

    On set A replica built for the series for 25,000 pounds, filmed near Torbay and Dartmouth, later a tourist attraction in Brixham harbour; wrecked in a storm in 1987 and replaced by the current Brixham replica.

    Photo: Jose L. Marin, CC BY 2.5

  52. Explorers, Armadas and Ancient Ships · Armadas and empires

    Golden Hind Real ship

    Seven Seas to Calais (1962)

    Directed by Rudolph Mate and Primo Zeglio

    Starring Rod Taylor, Keith Michell, Irene Worth, Edy Vessel

    Rod Taylor's Francis Drake raids Spanish treasure and circles the globe, then faces the Armada. The Italian-made MGM film ends with the fight in the Channel.

    The Marea scene Drake on the Golden Hind's quarterdeck as a Spanish treasure ship strikes her colours.

    Photo: Jose L. Marin, CC BY 2.5

  53. Explorers, Armadas and Ancient Ships · Armadas and empires

    Golden Hind Real ship

    Drake's Venture (1980)

    Directed by Lawrence Gordon Clark

    Starring John Thaw, Paul Darrow, Charlotte Cornwell

    John Thaw plays Drake on his 1577 to 1580 circumnavigation, including the trial and execution of Thomas Doughty.

    The Marea scene Drake confronts Doughty on the Golden Hind's deck before the crew.

    On set A full-scale replica of the Golden Hind; sea scenes shot in the English Channel over three months.

    Photo: Jose L. Marin, CC BY 2.5

  54. Explorers, Armadas and Ancient Ships · Armadas and empires

    Erasmus Fictional

    Shogun (1980)

    Created by Jerry London

    Starring Richard Chamberlain, Toshiro Mifune, Yoko Shimada

    The Dutch ship Erasmus, piloted by John Blackthorne, is wrecked on the coast of Japan in 1600. Blackthorne becomes drawn into the power struggle of Lord Toranaga. Based on James Clavell's novel, inspired by William Adams and De Liefde.

    The Marea scene The battered Erasmus lies at anchor in Anjiro harbour as Japanese soldiers board her.

    On set The Golden Hinde replica (built 1973) played the Erasmus; it is now on display at St Mary Overie Dock, Southwark, London.

    Photo: Jose L. Marin, CC BY 2.5

  55. Explorers, Armadas and Ancient Ships · Armadas and empires

    Spanish Armada and English fireships Real ship

    Elizabeth: The Golden Age (2007)

    Directed by Shekhar Kapur

    Starring Cate Blanchett, Clive Owen, Geoffrey Rush, Abbie Cornish

    The Armada sails against England and is broken by fireships and storm. The film gives Walter Raleigh an unhistorical leading role in the battle, largely leaving out Drake.

    The Marea scene Raleigh leaps from a burning fireship as it drifts into the Spanish fleet.

    Photo: Robert Adams, Augustine Ryther, Public domain

  56. Explorers, Armadas and Ancient Ships · Armadas and empires

    Cao Cao's chained fleet Real ship

    Red Cliff (2008)

    Directed by John Woo

    Starring Tony Leung Chiu-wai, Takeshi Kaneshiro, Zhang Fengyi, Zhao Wei

    Cao Cao's great fleet is chained together with iron beams to steady it on the Yangtze. When the southeast wind rises, the allies send fire ships into it at the Battle of Red Cliffs in 208.

    The Marea scene Blazing fire ships crash into the chained fleet under a night sky.

    On set Naval warfare staged at two working reservoirs in Hebei province, with visual effects by Modus FX, The Orphanage and Frantic Films.

    Photo: Zeng Gongliang, Public domain

  57. Explorers, Armadas and Ancient Ships · Armadas and empires

    Yi Sun-sin's flagship and the 12 ships Real ship

    The Admiral: Roaring Currents (2014)

    Directed by Kim Han-min

    Starring Choi Min-sik, Ryu Seung-ryong, Cho Jin-woong

    In 1597 Admiral Yi Sun-sin faces 133 Japanese ships at Myeongnyang with only 12 ships. His flagship holds the strait almost alone in a 61 minute battle sequence.

    The Marea scene Yi's flagship alone in the whirling currents, surrounded by Japanese ships.

    Photo: Public domain

  58. Explorers, Armadas and Ancient Ships · Armadas and empires

    De Zeven Provincien and the Dutch fleet Real ship

    Admiral (Michiel de Ruyter) (2015)

    Directed by Roel Reine

    Starring Frank Lammers, Barry Atsma, Charles Dance

    The film follows Michiel de Ruyter's campaigns in the Anglo-Dutch wars, including the Raid on the Medway. Critics singled out its shots of booming, towering ships.

    The Marea scene De Ruyter on his flagship's quarterdeck as the English fleet opens fire.

    Photo: Wikipedia

  59. Explorers, Armadas and Ancient Ships · Armadas and empires

    Turtle ship Real ship

    Hansan: Rising Dragon (2022)

    Directed by Kim Han-min

    Starring Park Hae-il, Byun Yo-han

    Admiral Yi's armoured turtle ship, with a dragon's head on its bow, is improved and becomes decisive at the Battle of Hansan in 1592.

    The Marea scene The turtle ship breaks into the Japanese line, smoke pouring from its dragon head.

    On set Naval battle set built at the Gangneung Speed Skating Stadium (2018 Winter Olympics venue) with no water, completed by visual effects; land sets at Yeosu.

    Photo: Feth, GPL

  60. Explorers, Armadas and Ancient Ships · Armadas and empires

    British ships at Toulon Real ship

    Napoleon (2023)

    Directed by Ridley Scott

    Starring Joaquin Phoenix, Vanessa Kirby, Tahar Rahim

    At the Siege of Toulon in 1793 the young Bonaparte takes the fort and turns his artillery on the British ships in the harbour. It is his first great success.

    The Marea scene Napoleon's guns fire across the harbour as a British ship of the line explodes.

    Photo: Jean-Antoine-Siméon Fort, Public domain

  61. Explorers, Armadas and Ancient Ships · Armadas and empires

    Joseon and Ming fleets Real ship

    Noryang: Deadly Sea (2023)

    Directed by Kim Han-min

    Starring Kim Yoon-seok, Baek Yoon-sik, Jung Jae-young

    In the 1598 Battle of Noryang, Yi Sun-sin and the Ming admiral Chen Lin trap the withdrawing Japanese fleet in a night battle. Yi is fatally shot on his flagship.

    The Marea scene Yi, struck by a bullet, orders his drum kept beating on the flagship's deck.

    Photo: Public domain

  62. Explorers, Armadas and Ancient Ships · Armadas and empires

    Erasmus Fictional

    Shogun (2024)

    Created by Rachel Kondo and Justin Marks

    Starring Hiroyuki Sanada, Cosmo Jarvis, Anna Sawai, Tadanobu Asano

    The FX series retells Clavell's story: pilot John Blackthorne's Erasmus arrives wrecked in Japan and becomes a prize in the struggle between Toranaga and the regents.

    The Marea scene Blackthorne's starving crew cling to the Erasmus's rail as she drifts into the Japanese bay.

    Photo: Wikipedia

  63. Explorers, Armadas and Ancient Ships · Jules Verne and French literature

    Nautilus Fictional

    Mysterious Island (1961)

    Directed by Cy Endfield

    Starring Michael Craig, Herbert Lom, Joan Greenwood, Gary Merrill

    Union prisoners escape by balloon and land on an island inhabited by giant creatures. Captain Nemo, whose Nautilus is hidden in a cave, helps them raise a sunken pirate ship to escape as the volcano erupts.

    The Marea scene Nemo in his shell diving suit leading the castaways underwater to the Nautilus.

    On set Models and effects by Ray Harryhausen.

    Photo: Alphonse de Neuville, Public domain

  64. Explorers, Armadas and Ancient Ships · Jules Verne and French literature

    Duncan Fictional

    In Search of the Castaways (1962)

    Directed by Robert Stevenson

    Starring Hayley Mills, Maurice Chevalier, George Sanders

    Lord Glenarvan's yacht carries Mary and Robert Grant around the world to search for their father after a message in a bottle is found. The voyage takes them to South America and New Zealand.

    The Marea scene The children on the deck of the Duncan reading the torn message from the bottle.

    On set Studio sets and models.

    Photo: Wikipedia

  65. Explorers, Armadas and Ancient Ships · Jules Verne and French literature

    Nautilus Fictional

    Captain Nemo and the Underwater City (1969)

    Directed by James Hill

    Starring Robert Ryan, Chuck Connors, Nanette Newman

    Shipwreck survivors are rescued by Captain Nemo and taken to his underwater city of Templemer. The Nautilus has a new design for this film.

    The Marea scene The Nautilus gliding into the domed underwater city.

    On set Models.

    Photo: Alphonse de Neuville, Public domain

  66. Explorers, Armadas and Ancient Ships · Vikings and the Middle Ages

    English invasion fleet at Southampton Real ship

    Henry V (1944)

    Directed by Laurence Olivier

    Starring Laurence Olivier, Renee Asherson, Robert Newton, Leslie Banks

    Henry's army embarks at Southampton and crosses to France to begin the campaign that leads to Harfleur and Agincourt. The film used stylised sets inspired by the Tres Riches Heures du Duc de Berry.

    The Marea scene Henry's fleet, painted sails full, prepares to leave Southampton harbour.

    Photo: VollwertBIT, CC BY-SA 2.5

  67. Explorers, Armadas and Ancient Ships · Vikings and the Middle Ages

    Ragnar's and Einar's longships Fictional

    The Vikings (1958)

    Directed by Richard Fleischer

    Starring Kirk Douglas, Tony Curtis, Ernest Borgnine, Janet Leigh

    Longships carry Ragnar's raiders to Northumbria and later the Viking assault on King Aella's castle. Rival half brothers Einar and Eric race each other across the sea for Princess Morgana.

    The Marea scene At the end, Einar's body lies on a longship pushed out on the fjord as flaming arrows set it ablaze.

    Photo: Unknown author, Public domain

  68. Explorers, Armadas and Ancient Ships · Vikings and the Middle Ages

    Rolfe's longship Fictional

    The Long Ships (1964)

    Directed by Jack Cardiff

    Starring Richard Widmark, Sidney Poitier, Russ Tamblyn, Rosanna Schiaffino

    Shipwrecked Viking Rolfe is captured by the Moorish king Aly Mansuh, who wants the legendary golden bell, the Mother of Voices. The Vikings take a longship south in search of it past the Pillars of Hercules.

    The Marea scene Rolfe's longship, crewed by bearded Vikings, beaches beside a Moorish shore with the great golden bell in view.

    On set Sets were later reused for a 1965 Swedish film.

    Photo: Unknown author, Public domain

  69. Explorers, Armadas and Ancient Ships · Vikings and the Middle Ages

    Thorvald's longships Fictional

    The Norseman (1978)

    Directed by Charles B. Pierce

    Starring Lee Majors, Cornel Wilde, Mel Ferrer, Jack Elam

    An 11th century Viking prince sails to North America to rescue his father, captured by Native Americans on an earlier expedition.

    The Marea scene Thorvald's longship grounds on a North American shore as his men leap into the shallows.

    Photo: Unknown author, Public domain

  70. Explorers, Armadas and Ancient Ships · Vikings and the Middle Ages

    Erik's longship Fictional

    Erik the Viking (1989)

    Directed by Terry Jones

    Starring Tim Robbins, Terry Jones, John Cleese, Eartha Kitt

    Erik, a Viking who doubts the point of rape and pillage, sails to Hy-Brasil to find the Horn Resounding and end the age of Ragnarok. The longship even sails off the edge of the world and on to Asgard.

    The Marea scene The crew row as the longship tips over the edge of the flat world.

    Photo: Unknown author, Public domain

  71. Explorers, Armadas and Ancient Ships · Vikings and the Middle Ages

    King Hygelak's funeral ship and Buliwyf's longship Fictional

    The 13th Warrior (1999)

    Directed by John McTiernan

    Starring Antonio Banderas, Vladimir Kulich, Dennis Storhoi, Omar Sharif

    The Arab envoy Ahmad ibn Fadlan witnesses a Norse ship funeral and is then taken north by Buliwyf's band as the thirteenth warrior. Based on Michael Crichton's Eaters of the Dead.

    The Marea scene The dead king lies on his pyre aboard a ship set ablaze and pushed out onto the water.

    Photo: Unknown author, Public domain

  72. Explorers, Armadas and Ancient Ships · Vikings and the Middle Ages

    Balian's ship to the Holy Land Fictional

    Kingdom of Heaven (2005)

    Directed by Ridley Scott

    Starring Orlando Bloom, Eva Green, Jeremy Irons, Liam Neeson

    Balian sails from Messina for the Holy Land, but his ship runs aground in a storm and he is the lone survivor. He walks through the desert to Jerusalem.

    The Marea scene Balian drags himself from the surf beside the broken wreck of his ship.

    Photo: Wikipedia

  73. Explorers, Armadas and Ancient Ships · Vikings and the Middle Ages

    Beowulf's ship Fictional

    Beowulf (2007)

    Created by Robert Zemeckis

    Starring Ray Winstone, Anthony Hopkins, Angelina Jolie, John Malkovich

    Beowulf and his Geats cross a stormy sea to Denmark to rid King Hrothgar's mead hall of the monster Grendel. The film was made entirely in performance capture animation.

    The Marea scene Beowulf stands at the prow of his longship through towering storm waves as the Danish coast appears.

    On set Computer animation (Sony Pictures Imageworks); no physical ship.

    Photo: Unknown author, Public domain

  74. Explorers, Armadas and Ancient Ships · Vikings and the Middle Ages

    Crusader Norsemen's ship Fictional

    Valhalla Rising (2009)

    Directed by Nicolas Winding Refn

    Starring Mads Mikkelsen, Maarten Stevenson

    The mute warrior One-Eye and a boy join Christian Norsemen sailing for the Holy Land. Lost for days in fog, the ship reaches an unknown land, implied to be North America.

    The Marea scene The becalmed ship sits motionless in thick fog while the crew sit silent at the oars.

    Photo: Wikipedia

  75. Explorers, Armadas and Ancient Ships · Vikings and the Middle Ages

    French invasion landing boats Fictional

    Robin Hood (2010)

    Directed by Ridley Scott

    Starring Russell Crowe, Cate Blanchett, William Hurt, Mark Strong

    A French invasion fleet lands troops on the English coast, and the English under King John and Robin meet them on the beach.

    The Marea scene French soldiers pour from a landing boat's ramp into the surf as English archers loose from the cliffs.

    On set Eight practical boats with 500 extras on Freshwater West beach, Pembrokeshire, Wales, in 2009, extended with about 200 CGI ships and 6,000 digital soldiers.

    Photo: Wikipedia

  76. Explorers, Armadas and Ancient Ships · Vikings and the Middle Ages

    Ragnar Lothbrok's longships Fictional

    Vikings (2013)

    Created by Michael Hirst

    Starring Travis Fimmel, Katheryn Winnick, Clive Standen, Gustaf Skarsgard

    Ragnar defies his earl by sailing west in a new longship built by Floki, reaching England and raiding Lindisfarne in 793. Longships carry every later raid on England, France and beyond.

    The Marea scene Ragnar stands at the prow as the longship noses onto the beach below Lindisfarne monastery.

    Photo: Unknown author, Public domain

  77. Explorers, Armadas and Ancient Ships · Vikings and the Middle Ages

    Danish Viking longships Fictional

    The Last Kingdom (2015)

    Created by Stephen Butchard (developer)

    Starring Alexander Dreymon, David Dawson, Emily Cox, Tobias Santelmann

    Uhtred, a Saxon raised by Danes, is caught between the Viking armies and King Alfred's Wessex. Danish longships bring the great heathen army and later raids to English shores.

    The Marea scene Uhtred stands at the bow of a Danish longship rowing up an English river.

    On set Sea scenes used the Viking ship reconstruction Havhingsten fra Glendalough (Sea Stallion from Glendalough), based at the Viking Ship Museum, Roskilde; main filming in Hungary and Wales.

    Photo: CC BY-SA 2.0 de

  78. Explorers, Armadas and Ancient Ships · Vikings and the Middle Ages

    Bruce's escape boats Real ship

    Outlaw King (2018)

    Directed by David Mackenzie

    Starring Chris Pine, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Florence Pugh, Billy Howle

    After defeat, Robert the Bruce's party is attacked while crossing Loch Ryan and some escape in boats. It is a brief moment in a largely land-based film.

    The Marea scene Bruce's men push off from the loch shore under attack.

    Photo: Public domain

  79. Explorers, Armadas and Ancient Ships · Vikings and the Middle Ages

    Slave ship to Iceland Fictional

    The Northman (2022)

    Directed by Robert Eggers

    Starring Alexander Skarsgard, Nicole Kidman, Anya Taylor-Joy, Ethan Hawke

    Amleth escapes his homeland by boat as a boy after his father's murder. Years later he disguises himself as a slave and boards a ship carrying thralls to Iceland, where his uncle now lives.

    The Marea scene Amleth, branded and chained among the slaves, stares ahead from the open hull as the ship crosses to Iceland.

    Photo: Peter EA Lindström, CC BY-SA 3.0

  80. Explorers, Armadas and Ancient Ships · Vikings and the Middle Ages

    Leif Erikson's longships Fictional

    Vikings: Valhalla (2022)

    Created by Jeb Stuart

    Starring Sam Corlett, Frida Gustavsson, Leo Suter

    Set a century after Vikings, the series follows Leif Erikson, Freydis and Harald Sigurdsson. Longships carry them to Kattegat, England, down the Dnieper to Constantinople and finally west to new lands.

    The Marea scene Leif stands at the steering oar as his longship heads west into unknown waters.

    Photo: Unknown author, Public domain

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