Pelle the Conqueror
| Pelle the Conqueror | |
|---|---|
 original Swedish movie poster | |
| Directed by | Bille August |
| Written by | Bille August |
| Produced by | Per Holst |
| Starring | Max von Sydow Pelle Hvenegaard Erik Paaske Björn Granath |
| Distributed by | Svensk Filmindustri |
Release dates |  25 December, 1987 26 December, 1987 21 December, 1988 |
Running time | 157 min |
| Languages | Danish Swedish |
Pelle the Conqueror (Danish: Pelle Erobreren; Swedish: Pelle Erövraren) is a 1987 film that tells the story of two Swedish immigrants to Denmark, a father and son, who try to build a new life for themselves. It stars Pelle Hvenegaard as the young Pelle, with Max von Sydow as his father.
Summary of plot
Based upon the famous 1910 novel by Danish writer Martin Andersen Nexø, the film is set in the end of the 19th century. A boat filled with emigrants from Sweden arrives at the Danish island of Bornholm. Among them are Lasse and his son Pelle who have moved to Denmark to find work after the death of Pelle's mother. They find employment at a large farm, but find themselves treated as the lowest form of life. It is only as Pelle starts to speak Danish that he begins to gain in confidence, but is still discriminated against as a foreigner. But neither boy nor father is willing to give up their dream of finding a better life than that which they left in Sweden.
Actors and production
The movie also stars Erik Paaske, Björn Granath and Morten Jørgensen. It was a co-production between companies in Denmark and Sweden, with the screenplay adapted by Bille August, Per Olov Enquist, Janus Billeskov Jansen, Max Lundgren and Bjarne Reuter from the 1910 novel of the same time by Martin Andersen Nexø. This adaptation was directed by August, with a score composed by Stefan Nilsson.
Awards
Pelle the Conqueror won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, 1988; it was submitted to the Academy by the Danish government, giving Denmark its second consecutive win after Babette's Feast. Max von Sydow was nominated for, but did not win, the Academy Award for Best Actor. The film also won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival (1988) and the Golden Globe Award for Best Foreign Language Film. It was listed in The New York Times Guide to the Best 1000 Movies Ever Made the same year.
External links
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