"Viking Has Always Been A Good Idea" is a Public Service Announcement to encourage more of the population to use safety helmets while bicycling. The comedy film is set back in the Viking era and spells out the reasons why people might not like to wear helmets, but takes a light-hearted approach in urging people, regardless of who they are, to protect themselves.
Cultural / Context information for the jury
Vikings typically wore helmets back in that era, and it seems wrong to see one without a helmet. The main character in the film refuses to wear a helmet, which adds an extra comedic touch to the film.
Provide the full film script in English.
Subtitles are provided, but the script will be provided via email.
DANISH ROAD SAFETY COUNCIL
“Helmet Has Always Been A Good Idea”
Film Script, translated to English
DENMARK IN THE YEAR 893. A horn blows. Svend, the leader of the Viking army, approaches
his men who stand beating their chest in support of their leader. Svend signals them to stop and
mounts his horse.
SVEND: Today we sail to England!
The crowd cheers.
SVEND’S SON: Wait, Dad.
Svend’s son comes running from afar, ducks his head down, and presents his father with a steel
helmet. Svend does not look amused, even a little embarrassed, and ignores the gesture.
SVEND: To the Ships!
The crowd erupts in cheer. Hjalmar, a warrior, looks concerned.
HJALMAR: Svend, shouldn’t you be wearing a helmet?
Svend looks around irritated.
SVEND: No, it’s annoying. It makes my scalp itch.
A beat.
HJALMAR: Oh. But, uhh—
SVEND: —Hjalmar, I’m a careful rider.
Svend looks confident and calm, as he casually knocks the helmet out of his son’s hands with his
boot. The helmet takes a tumble on the pebbled ground.
HJALMAR: No one is saying you’re not careful…
SVEND: So what do I do when I get there? Run around England wearing a silly helmet?
HJALMAR: Well, yes actually, I think you should.
Hjalmar forces a polite, careful smile. A warrior from the afar field yells out.
WARRIOR: Svend!
SVEND: Yes!
WARRIOR: What’s going on?
HJALMAR: (Yelling) Svend doesn’t want to wear a helmet! He says it makes his scalp
itch.
A beat.
WARRIOR: I can’t really hear you!
SVEND: I’m not the type who wears a helmet!
HJALMAR: But it’s a good idea.
SVEND: (Hysterical) It ruins my braids!
A beat. Svend’s wife comes out holding their young child. Svend clears his throat, straightens
himself up.
SVEND’S WIFE: Svend!
SVEND: Yes.
SVEND’S WIFE: You can go looting and pillaging all you want, but you have to wear a
helmet.
A beat. Svend looks embarrassed. He takes the helmet from his wife’s hands, who picked it up
from their son.
SVEND: Yes.
Svend puts on the helmet. An older man in the crowd stands and laughs. Svend turns and gives
him a threatening look. The man stops laughing.
HJALMER: I bet the English wear helmets too.
Svend looks unamused.
SVEND: To the ships!
The crowd erupts in cheer once again.
SVEND’S SON: Good luck, dad!
We see Svend travelling on his horse, passing under a wooden beam, and knocks his head.
End Title: HELMETS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A BRIGHT IDEA