Scandinavian folk culture
by frida-bjerke | created - 16 Oct 2020 | updated - 17 Mar 2022 | PublicTraditional films and series for the nostalgic. Mostly Scandinavian history, cinema and literature.
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1. Fanny and Alexander (1982)
R | 188 min | Drama
Two young Swedish children in the 1900s experience the many comedies and tragedies of their lively and affectionate theatrical family, the Ekdahls.
Director: Ingmar Bergman | Stars: Bertil Guve, Pernilla Allwin, Kristina Adolphson, Börje Ahlstedt
Votes: 67,502 | Gross: $4.97M
2. Fanny and Alexander (1983)
312 min | Drama
Through the eyes of ten-year-old Alexander, we witness the delights and conflicts of the Ekdahl family, a sprawling bourgeois clan in turn-of-the-twentieth-century Sweden.
Stars: Börje Ahlstedt, Ewa Fröling, Jarl Kulle, Bertil Guve
Votes: 4,670
3. The Best Intentions (1991)
333 min | Biography, Drama, Romance
The story of Ingmar Bergman's parents. How they fell in love, married against the wishes of their families, and had a difficult marriage and life in rural Sweden. Bergman's father was a ... See full summary »
Stars: Samuel Fröler, Pernilla August, Ghita Nørby, Börje Ahlstedt
Votes: 701
4. The Best Intentions (1992)
Not Rated | 182 min | Biography, Drama, Romance
In 1909, poor theology student Henrik falls in love with Anna, the intelligent daughter of a rich family in Uppsala. After marrying Henrik becomes a priest in northern Sweden. Urbane Anna hates living in the county, growing restless.
Director: Bille August | Stars: Samuel Fröler, Pernilla August, Max von Sydow, Ghita Nørby
Votes: 3,507 | Gross: $1.25M
5. Private Confessions (1996)
135 min | Biography, Drama
Five conversations frame a flawed marriage in this film written by Ingmar Bergman about his parents. Guilt-ridden wife Anna (Pernilla August) divulges an extramarital affair to a priest, ... See full summary »
Director: Liv Ullmann | Stars: Pernilla August, Max von Sydow, Samuel Fröler, Thomas Hanzon
Votes: 469 | Gross: $0.01M
6. Jerusalem (1996)
PG-13 | 168 min | Drama
The beginning of the 20th century. Gertrud and Ingmar are in love with each other. While Ingmar is away during the winter, a religious wave spreads in the area. Also Gertrud becomes a ... See full summary »
Director: Bille August | Stars: Maria Bonnevie, Ulf Friberg, Pernilla August, Lena Endre
Votes: 1,563
7. Ordet (1955)
Not Rated | 126 min | Drama
Follows the lives of the Borgen family, as they deal with inner conflict, as well as religious conflict with each other, and the rest of the town.
Director: Carl Theodor Dreyer | Stars: Henrik Malberg, Emil Hass Christensen, Preben Lerdorff Rye, Hanne Aagesen
Votes: 17,410
8. Day of Wrath (1943)
Not Rated | 110 min | Drama, History
The young wife of an aging priest falls in love with his son amidst the horror of a merciless witch hunt in 17th-century Denmark.
Director: Carl Theodor Dreyer | Stars: Thorkild Roose, Lisbeth Movin, Sigrid Neiiendam, Kirsten Andreasen
Votes: 11,090
9. Arn: The Knight Templar (2007)
R | 139 min | Action, Drama, Romance
Arn, the son of a high-ranking Swedish nobleman, is educated in a monastery and sent to the Holy Land as a knight templar to do penance for a forbidden love.
Director: Peter Flinth | Stars: Joakim Nätterqvist, Sofia Helin, Stellan Skarsgård, Michael Nyqvist
Votes: 23,173
10. Kristin Lavransdatter (1995)
180 min | Drama
Kristin is the daughter of a prominent landowner in medieval Norway. She grows up in total harmony with the ideals of the time: strong family ties, social pride and devout Christianity. She... See full summary »
Director: Liv Ullmann | Stars: Elisabeth Matheson, Bjørn Skagestad, Sverre Anker Ousdal, Henny Moan
Votes: 1,018
11. 1864 (2014)
TV-14 | 460 min | Drama, History, War
When Prussia and Austria declare war on Denmark, two brothers are called to serve in the bloodiest battle in Denmark's history.
Stars: Pilou Asbæk, Sarah-Sofie Boussnina, Bent Mejding, Marie Tourell Søderberg
Votes: 4,092
12. Winter Light (1963)
Not Rated | 81 min | Drama
A small-town priest struggles with his faith.
Director: Ingmar Bergman | Stars: Ingrid Thulin, Gunnar Björnstrand, Gunnel Lindblom, Max von Sydow
Votes: 27,098
13. The Emigrants (1971)
PG | 151 min | Drama, History
Småland, Sweden, mid-19th century. A farming family struggle with their rocky, unyielding land, and decide to embark on the arduous journey to new hope in America.
Director: Jan Troell | Stars: Max von Sydow, Liv Ullmann, Eddie Axberg, Sven-Olof Bern
Votes: 7,467 | Gross: $1.16M
14. The New Land (1972)
PG | 102 min | Drama, Western
A Swedish immigrant family struggle to establish a new life for themselves in the forest of Minnesota in the mid 19th Century.
Director: Jan Troell | Stars: Max von Sydow, Liv Ullmann, Eddie Axberg, Pierre Lindstedt
Votes: 5,283
15. Ronia: The Robber's Daughter (1984)
Not Rated | 126 min | Adventure, Drama, Family
Ronja, the only child of robber chief Mattis must learn to survive the dangers of her local wilderness. In secret she also befriends Birk, the son of a rivaling robber Borka.
Director: Tage Danielsson | Stars: Hanna Zetterberg, Dan Håfström, Börje Ahlstedt, Lena Nyman
Votes: 12,120
16. Emil i Lönneberga (1974–1976)
25 min | Comedy, Drama, Family
The series tells stories from the childhood of a sometimes naughty, but very lovable and kindhearted young boy growing up on a farm in southern Sweden in the early 20th century.
Stars: Jan Ohlsson, Lena Wisborg, Allan Edwall, Emy Storm
Votes: 2,775
17. Madicken (1979–1983)
27 min | Drama, Family
Based on Astrid Lindgren's books. Madicken's life on Junibacken is filled with ups and down.
Stars: Jonna Liljendahl, Björn Granath, Lis Nilheim, Liv Alsterlund
Votes: 1,037
18. Bröderna Lejonhjärta (1980–1995)
26 min | Adventure, Family, Fantasy
Brothers Jonatan and Skorpan lead a revolution against the tyrant Tengil in the magical afterlife land of Nangijala.
Stars: Staffan Götestam, Lars Söderdahl, Allan Edwall, Per Oscarsson
Votes: 1,472
19. Lotta på Bråkmakargatan (1992)
74 min | Family, Comedy
Lotta is angry because she is considered too small to make all the fun things as her older siblings Mia and Jonas can do.
Director: Johanna Hald | Stars: Grete Havnesköld, Linn Gloppestad, Martin Andersson, Beatrice Järås
Votes: 1,552
20. Pippi Longstocking (1969)
G | 99 min | Adventure, Comedy, Drama
Pippi Longstocking, a super-strong redheaded little girl, moves into her father's house Villa Villekulla, and has adventures with her next-door neighbors Tommy and Annika in this compilation film of the classic European TV series.
Director: Olle Hellbom | Stars: Inger Nilsson, Maria Persson, Pär Sundberg, Margot Trooger
Votes: 5,345
21. Markens grøde (1921)
75 min | Drama
After the Nobel prize winning Knut Hamsun-novel, with it's criticism of industrialization, urbanizing and loss of values. The farmer Isak makes a farm out of barren soil, together with Inger and their two sons. She kills the third.
Director: Gunnar Sommerfeldt | Stars: Amund Rydland, Karen Poulsen, Ragna Wettergreen, Gunnar Sommerfeldt
Votes: 249
22. Pelle the Conqueror (1987)
PG-13 | 157 min | Drama
When his wife dies, Lasse takes his 12-year-old son, Pelle, from their home in Sweden to Denmark in search of a better life.
Director: Bille August | Stars: Pelle Hvenegaard, Max von Sydow, Erik Paaske, Björn Granath
Votes: 11,863 | Gross: $2.05M
23. Pan (1922)
96 min | Drama
Lieutenant Thomas Glahn, a hunter and ex-military man, lives alone in a forest hut with his faithful dog. Meeting Edvarda, the daughter of a merchant, they feel strongly attracted to each other, but neither understands the other's love.
Director: Harald Schwenzen | Stars: Hjalmar Fries, Hans Bille, Gerd Egede-Nissen, Rolf Christensen
Votes: 47
24. Hunger (I) (2001)
Not Rated | 82 min | Drama
A sensitive writer from a small town faces spiritual crisis as he tries to make it as a Hollywood screenwriter. Charlie Pontus (Joseph Culp) wanders around Los Angeles torn between his ... See full summary »
Director: Maria Giese | Stars: Joseph Culp, Robert Culp, Kathleen Luong, Redmond Gleeson
Votes: 69
25. Pan (1995)
115 min | Drama
Lt. Thomas Glahn and Edvarda fall in love, but love can turn to hate.
Director: Henning Carlsen | Stars: Lasse Kolsrud, Sofie Gråbøl, Bjørn Sundquist, Anneke von der Lippe
Votes: 273
26. Telegrafisten (1993)
102 min | Comedy, Drama
Mack is the most important man in a little society in North Western Norway around 1900. Telegrapher Rolandsen is a smart, funny and charming the ladies, even Mack's daughter.
Director: Erik Gustavson | Stars: Bjørn Floberg, Marie Richardson, Jarl Kulle, Ole Ernst
Votes: 672
27. Landstrykere (1989)
138 min | Drama
The Knut Hamsun story about young adventurer Edevart and his friend and admirer August., which goes on a stray as salesmen, before they grow apart, split up due to life and love, before they meet up again.
Director: Ola Solum | Stars: Trond Peter Stamsø Munch, Marika Lagercrantz, Helge Jordal, Liv Heløe
Votes: 156
28. Hunger (1966)
Not Rated | 112 min | Biography, Drama
In 1890, Pontus, the starving writer, wanders the streets of Christiania, in search of love and a chance to get his work published. All he meets is defeat and suffering while his sense of ... See full summary »
Director: Henning Carlsen | Stars: Per Oscarsson, Gunnel Lindblom, Birgitte Federspiel, Knud Rex
Votes: 3,371
29. Royal Deceit (1994)
R | 107 min | Adventure, Drama
An old Norse legend of revenge, power and human spirit, that subsequently inspired William Shakespeare on his tragedy - Hamlet.
Director: Gabriel Axel | Stars: Gabriel Byrne, Helen Mirren, Christian Bale, Brian Cox
Votes: 2,464
30. When the Raven Flies (1984)
R | 109 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
An Irish man seeks vengeance against the vikings who killed his parents.
Director: Hrafn Gunnlaugsson | Stars: Jakob Þór Einarsson, Edda Björgvinsdóttir, Helgi Skúlason, Gotti Sigurdarson
Votes: 2,570
31. The White Viking (1991)
131 min | Adventure, Drama
Norway in the 10th century. Askur, son of the powerful Thorgeir marries Embla, daughter of one of the few remaining landowners in Norway, in a pagan ceremony. King Olav, a ruthless ... See full summary »
Director: Hrafn Gunnlaugsson | Stars: Gotti Sigurdarson, Maria Bonnevie, Egill Ólafsson, Tomas Norström
Votes: 459
32. Shadow of the Raven (1988)
124 min | Adventure, Drama
Trausti returns to Iceland just in time to be entangled in a family feud over a stranded whale-cadaver. His mother (the family head) is mortally wounded and Grim kills Erikur; the other ... See full summary »
Director: Hrafn Gunnlaugsson | Stars: Reine Brynolfsson, Tinna Gunnlaugsdóttir, Egill Ólafsson, Sune Mangs
Votes: 874
33. Pathfinder (1987)
86 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
A young Sámi man witnesses a band of vicious raiders slay his family and flees to a nearby village, where he learns he must become a Pathfinder.
Director: Nils Gaup | Stars: Mikkel Gaup, Ingvald Guttorm, Nils Utsi, Henrik H. Buljo
Votes: 5,603
34. Outlaw: The Saga of Gisli (1981)
100 min | Biography, Drama
From an authentic Viking saga, Outlaw tells the story of a family blood feud, set in 10th century Iceland.
Director: Ágúst Guðmundsson | Stars: Tinna Gunnlaugsdóttir, Arnar Jónsson, Kristján Jóhann Jónsson, Þráinn Karlsson
Votes: 351
35. Witchcraft (1999)
118 min | Drama
The young and fanatical Jon is appointed pastor to a remote church in 17th century Iceland. As is custom, he marries the widow of his predecessor, a woman much older than he is. He is ... See full summary »
Director: Hrafn Gunnlaugsson | Stars: Hilmir Snær Guðnason, Sara Dögg Ásgeirsdóttir, Alexandra Rapaport, Hallgrímur H. Helgason
Votes: 238
36. I Am Dina (2002)
Not Rated | 125 min | Drama
Dina grows up in a village at a fjord in 1860s north Norway. As child, she accidentally kills her mom and loses her rich dad's love. She grows up to be a clever, pretty, wild, and strange woman. She marries a rich Frenchman.
Directors: Ole Bornedal, Tony Spataro | Stars: Maria Bonnevie, Gérard Depardieu, Christopher Eccleston, Bjørn Floberg
Votes: 5,725
37. A Royal Affair (2012)
R | 137 min | Biography, Drama, History
A young queen, who is married to an insane king, falls secretly in love with her physician - and together they start a revolution that changes a nation forever.
Director: Nikolaj Arcel | Stars: Alicia Vikander, Mads Mikkelsen, Mikkel Boe Følsgaard, Trine Dyrholm
Votes: 50,885 | Gross: $1.55M
38. Edvard Munch (1974 TV Movie)
Not Rated | 210 min | Biography, Drama, History
This biopic of Norwegian Expressionist painter Edvard Munch focuses on the influences that shaped his art, his devastating affair with a married woman that will haunt him for the rest of his life
Director: Peter Watkins | Stars: Geir Westby, Gro Fraas, Kerstii Allum, Eric Allum
Votes: 3,380 | Gross: $0.04M
39. The Polar Bear King (1991)
PG | 88 min | Family, Adventure, Fantasy
After his father is killed, King Valemon ascends the throne, only to be turned into a polar bear by a bitter witch who wants to be his queen. Valemon must find a bride in the seven year ... See full summary »
Director: Ola Solum | Stars: Jack Fjeldstad, Maria Bonnevie, Tobias Hoesl, Monica Nordquist
Votes: 921
40. Mio in the Land of Faraway (1987)
PG | 99 min | Adventure, Family, Fantasy
A lonely boy who is transferred from his dull life with his adoptive parents to the land where his real father is the King. In that country, he sets out on a quest, together with his new friend, to destroy the evil Knight Kato.
Director: Vladimir Grammatikov | Stars: Nick Pickard, Christian Bale, Timothy Bottoms, Susannah York
Votes: 6,066
41. A Fortunate Man (2018)
TV-14 | 162 min | Drama, Romance
A gifted engineer flees his austere roots to pursue wealth and success among Copenhagen's elite, but the pride propelling him threatens to be his ruin.
Director: Bille August | Stars: Esben Smed, Katrine Greis-Rosenthal, Benjamin Kitter, Julie Christiansen
Votes: 7,369
42. Astrup: Flammen over Jølster (2019)
79 min | Biography, Drama, History
Biographical movie portraying Nikolai Astrup (1880-1928), one of Norway's most important painters and visual artists, and follow him through his short life and the inspiration behind his most famous paintings.
Director: Pål Øie | Stars: Ola G. Furuseth, Filip Kremner, Jesper Lindblom, Thure Lindhardt
Votes: 112
43. Ørnens øje (1997)
91 min | Action, Drama, Family
In 1218 Danish king Valdemar sends his homonymous young son and heir in safety, as war is at the borders, to Erskil, the bishop of Ravensburg, who is instructed to see to the prince's ... See full summary »
Director: Peter Flinth | Stars: Nijas Ørnbak-Fjeldmose, Lasse Baunkilde, Lars Lohmann, Björn Granath
Votes: 701
44. Tante Pose (1940)
92 min | Comedy, Family
Under julefeiringen hos sorenskriver Bals blir det hemmelig forlovelse mellom to av hans vakre døtre og to studenter på julebesøk. Husdragen, tante Pose, spionerer på de unge. Tante Pose ... See full summary »
Director: Leif Sinding | Stars: Henny Skjønberg, Einar Vaage, Hans Bille, Joachim Holst-Jensen
Votes: 434
45. Gjest Baardsen (1939)
99 min | Comedy, Drama, Crime
In the poor Norway in the early 1800s Gjest Baardsen starts off like a Robin Hood, stealing from the rich, giving to the poor. Based on the real character which became the poor mans hero, and got lots of help to get away from the law.
Director: Tancred Ibsen | Stars: Alfred Maurstad, Vibeke Falk, Joachim Holst-Jensen, Lauritz Falk
Votes: 292
46. Margrete: Queen of the North (2021)
Unrated | 120 min | Biography, Drama, History
1402. Queen Margrete is ruling Sweden, Norway and Denmark through her adopted son, Erik. But a conspiracy is in the making and Margrete finds herself in an impossible dilemma that could shatter her life's work: the Kalmar Union.
Director: Charlotte Sieling | Stars: Trine Dyrholm, Søren Malling, Morten Hee Andersen, Jakob Oftebro
Votes: 2,924
47. The Northman (2022)
R | 137 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
A young Viking prince is on a quest to avenge his father's murder.
Director: Robert Eggers | Stars: Alexander Skarsgård, Nicole Kidman, Claes Bang, Ethan Hawke
Votes: 253,668 | Gross: $34.23M
48. The Virgin Spring (1960)
Not Rated | 89 min | Drama
In 14th-century Sweden, an innocent yet pampered teenage girl and her family's pregnant and jealous servant set out from their farm to deliver candles to church, but only one returns from events that transpire in the woods along the way.
Director: Ingmar Bergman | Stars: Max von Sydow, Birgitta Valberg, Gunnel Lindblom, Birgitta Pettersson
Votes: 31,650 | Gross: $1.53M
49. The Seventh Seal (1957)
Not Rated | 96 min | Drama, Fantasy
A knight returning to Sweden after the Crusades seeks answers about life, death, and the existence of God as he plays chess against the Grim Reaper during the Black Plague.
Director: Ingmar Bergman | Stars: Max von Sydow, Gunnar Björnstrand, Bengt Ekerot, Nils Poppe
Votes: 198,486
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