The Long Ships (1964): a Viking village on Lim Bay

Updated October 15, 2026.

For The Long Ships (1964), the crew built a Viking village on Lim Bay. The remains of the film set drew visitors for years after filming.

Veljko Despotović's set design

Director Jack Cardiff shot much of this British-Yugoslav adventure on Lim Bay. Avala Film and Warwick Films collaborated on one of the first co-productions between the two countries. Residents of nearby towns and villages took part as extras.

Production designer Veljko Despotović created a Viking settlement for a stretch of coast that represented a Scandinavian fjord in the film. Avala Film built a row of wooden houses beside the water. The remains stayed after the film crew left and became a tourist attraction. They were still visible in the 1980s.

The search for the Mother of Voices

Richard Widmark and Russ Tamblyn play the brothers Rolf and Orm. After stealing a funeral ship and abducting Gerda, the king's daughter played by Beba Lončar, they set off in search of a huge golden bell called the Mother of Voices. Along the way, they face a rebellious crew and the Moorish soldiers of Prince Al Mansuh, played by Sidney Poitier.

Actors: Richard Widmark, Sidney Poitier, Russ Tamblyn, Rosanna Schiaffino

Director: Jack Cardiff

The film was shot at the location: Lim Bay

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