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| Special Features: |
Interactive menu.
Scene selection.
Theatrical trailer.
Widescreen presentation.
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| Video Format: |
Widescreen (1.66:1)
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| Languages: |
Danish (Dolby Digital 2.0) Surround
English (Dolby Digital 2.0) Surround
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| Captions: |
English.
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| Casing: |
1-Disc Keep Case
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Billie August's 1988 film "Pelle the Conqueror" won the best film award at Cannes, and the Best Foreign
Language film at the Golden Globes and Academy Awards. All prizes were well deserved. August's film tells
the coming of age story of Pelle Karlsson (Pelle Hvenegarrd). Pelle travels to Denmark with his father Lasse (Max Von Sydow) to seek a better life after the death of his mother. What they find are harsh conditions
working on the farm of a tyrant. "Pelle the Conqueror" is a multifaceted film which presents young Pelle's
baptism of fire as grows toward manhood. The film is an adaptation of the first of 4 novels which follow
Pelle from childhood to his destiny as a labor leader. "Pelle the Conqueror" starts with a dependent boy
and ends with a strong youth ready to withstand the journey to manhood.
The film is 150 minutes long. It tells its story in a straightforward manner. The wonder of the film is
that we see the young boy grow and mature before our eyes. The deliberate pacing and linear storyline make
for rapt entertainment. Pelle and his father endure the cruelties thrown their way because of their alien
status and their lowly station in life. There is great dignity in the way Pelle responds and eventually
rages against his fate.
Pelle (Pelle Hvenegaard) |
Pelle was born late in his father's life. Max Von Sydow is outstanding as the father who wants a better
life for his son, but who is also an old scared man. When Pelle is bullied by the foreman's assistant,
the old man threatens to kill the young bully. Pelle's spirits are lifted until he sees his elderly father
back down from the assistant the next day. Pelle begins to realize that the fight has left his father. He
doesn't hate his father for it, but Pelle realizes that he must become his own man, and fast. A counselor
once told me that a boy doesn't become a man until the death of his father, be it literal or figurative.
Until one can step from the shadow of his father to fight for his own beliefs and place in life without
looking to his father for acceptance, then a boy will remain a boy. That is what we have here. Pelle's
father dies to him when Pelle realizes that his dad is old, tired and scared.
The film resembles real life in that there are a series of events which effect the characters. The
film is episodic in nature. Characters come and go, and sometimes return. Each has an effect on the
title character. This is a wonderful film which should not be missed. The acting is superb. The young
Pelle Hvenegaard holds his own against the seasoned Von Sydow.
Pelle suffers ridicule at school for his father's sin. |
Mr. Von Sydow here turns in another remarkable performance. One of the greatest actors of our time,
Von Sydow's Lasse Karlsson tears at the viewers heart. A man of dignity, who nevertheless just wants
to find a woman to take care of him and Pelle in his old age. He feels the shame of his weakness when
Pelle is ridiculed by fellow students for his action. His first response is to turn to drink. He shamefully
faces his son the next day and pours out the bottle asking both Pelle and Jesus for forgiveness. "Jesus
forgive and old sinner, but understand it is hard not to when one's heart is broken." It is a gut-wrenching
performance from Von Sydow.
Don't miss this movie if at all possible. It seems unlikely that a sequel will be made from the other 3
books, as this movie was made 13 years ago. It is a shame because this is a powerful film full of
characters you care about. Bottom line: get this movie. Read the books to find out the rest of Pelle's life.
This is an excellent movie. The DVD is worth the price for the movie alone. There are no extras to speak of,
but with a movie this good it doesn't matter. If you have the choice of VHS or DVD, then go DVD. I would like
to have had extras, but I forgive Anchor Bay in this case because the movie is so good.
Picture Quality: 10/10
Rich photography captures the dismal, bleak Danish winters and the lush colorful spring.
Sound Quality: 10/10
Again, it is hard to screw up with the technology available.
Menu: 8/10
Not real imaginative, but it gets the job done. It is a utilitarian menu.
Extra Features: 0/10
Nothing there except a trailer. This disc stands on the quality of the movie alone.
The Final Word:
Great movie. If I have to just have a movie, I'd still rather have it on DVD than VHS. This
one is more than worth the price of admission.
Rusty White
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thousands victims left homeless with critical necessities. By making a financial gift to Hurricane 2005 Relief, the Red
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