Private Bom (1948)
"Soldat Bom" (original title)

The station-master Fabian Bom is a very meticulous person, and he makes sure that the train leaves exactly - on the second. To him, nothing could be more important than duty, efficiency and... See full summary »

Director:

Lars-Eric Kjellgren

Writers:

Paul Baudisch, Nils Poppe

Stars:

Nils Poppe, Gunnar Björnstrand, Julia Cæsar

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Nils Poppe	...	Fabian Bom
Gunnar Björnstrand	...	Korpral Berglund
Julia Cæsar	...	Carolina Hård
Douglas Håge	...	Major Killman
Inga Landgré	...	Agnes
Naima Wifstrand	...	Översköterskan
Gunnel Wadner	...	Gabriella Killman
Gösta Cederlund	...	Översten
Ludde Juberg	...	Zakarias
Åke Jensen	...	Löjtnant Forsberg
Nils Hallberg	...	Kalle
Nils Jacobsson	...	Militärläkaren
Karl Erik Flens	...	Korpralen (as Karl E. Flens)

Storyline

The station-master Fabian Bom is a very meticulous person, and he makes sure that the train leaves exactly - on the second. To him, nothing could be more important than duty, efficiency and punctuality, in fact, his sense of duty is clearly perverted. His beloved Plum-Plum, the major's daughter, is infatuated with army officers. To regain her attention, he joins the army. Bom becomes a soldier who loves the military training, long marches as well as hard labour as punishment. He meets Agnes, who falls madly in love with him.

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Plot Keywords:

military

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Genres:

Comedy

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Details

Country:

Sweden

Language:

Swedish

Release Date:

15 December 1948 (Sweden)

Also Known As:

Private Bom

Company Credits

Production Co:

Fribergs Filmbyrå AB, Komiska Teatern

Technical Specs

Runtime:

89 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Followed by Father Bom (1949)

User Reviews

My 301st Review: If this was Chaplin you would ALL have seen it....

This is truly one of the greatest lowbrow comedies of Swedish or any cinema. Very much like Chaplin in nearly every respect it was more than a hit: from its premier at the Spegeln Cinema in Stockholm on 15th December 1948 it ran for 48 weeks without a break.

It also sparked a series of 7 films. It's star Nils Poppe had had moderate success with several small films in the 40s but here was vaulted into Swedish super stardom. He also married his sweetheart co-star Inga Landgré.

The simple story about Fabian Bom, a man who doesn't fit into society because he follows the rules too closely, but during his national service becomes the most outstanding soldier is full of wonderful scenes and ideas and brimming with a manic energy but unlike say Norman Wisdom or Jerry Lewis this energy constantly charms rather than annoys.

One of the central and very Swedish characteristics of Fabian Blom is his good nature and innocence. Looking like Chaplin's twin brother the physical comedy and the little gestures make this a treat to watch.

If you get a chance to find this, do - it is a charming and wonderful comedy.