Post Description

Pelle erobreren (1987) aka Pelle the Conqueror

Long but rewarding, the Danish-Swedish Pelle Erobreren is based on the early passages of Martin Andersen Nexoe's four-volume novel. 

Pelle (Pelle Hvengaard) is the son of a 19th-century Swedish farmer (Max van Sydow). Seeking escape from their poverty-stricken surroundings, father and son emigrate to Denmark. Upon arrival, however, they are treated like indentured servants, leading to a profound ideological turnaround for the impressionable Pelle. In the original novel, Pelle ended up embracing Communism. Nexo's political overtones are soft-pedalled in the film, which concentrates on the close, indestructable relationship between Pelle and his father. 

Adapted for the screen by Bille August, Pelle Erobreren won the 1988 Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film. Only the second Danish film to scoop the Best Foreign Language Film Oscar, Babette's Feast (1987) having done it the year before.

Pelle the Conquerer is an excellent film for its genre. This, a classic coming of age film, is told in a sincere, brutally honest way. There is a sense of realism here, without a sugar coated happy ending. A child, learning the harsh lessons of life, yet undeterred in his thirst for 'conquering' his own, emerging world. The DVD version is 150 minutes long, this, sadly cut down from the film's original release of 160 minutes. What a shame, in the interest of time, to take away from the directors vision. Max von Sydow turns in another fine performance, but the movie belongs to it's young star. His only film, I am sorry to say. Excellent,inspired...

Cast: 
  Pelle Hvenegaard  ...  Pelle  
  Max von Sydow  ...  Lassefar  
  Erik Paaske  ...  Forvalter / Foreman  
  Björn Granath  ...  Erik (as Bjørn Granath)  
  Astrid Villaume  ...  Fru Kongstrup / Mrs. Kongstrup  
  Axel Strøbye  ...  Kongstrup  
  Troels Asmussen  ...  Rud  
  Kristina Törnqvist  ...  Anna  
  Karen Wegener  ...  Madam Olsen / Mrs. Olsen  
  Sofie Gråbøl  ...  Jomfru Sine / Miss Sine  
  Lars Simonsen  ...  Niels Køller  
  Buster Larsen  ...  Ole Køller  
  John Wittig  ...  Skolelærer / School teacher  
  Troels Munk  ...  Læge / Doctor  
  Nis Bank-Mikkelsen  ...  Præst / Clergyman

Director: Bille August

Post info:
Year.............: 1987
Country..........: DENMARK
Audio............: DD Danish/Swedish 
2.0 Mono / also English Dub 5.1, & 2.0 stereo
Subtitles........: English
Video Format.....: Widescreen
DVD Source.......: DVD9
DVD Format.......: NTSC
DVD distributor..: FOX
Bit Rate.........: 6.94 mb/s
Menus..........: Untouched
Video..........: Untouched, intact
DVD-extras.....: Untouched, intact
DVD-Audio......: Untouched, intact

This is a spot. Thanks to attor :)