Elvira Madigan (I) (1967)

Hedvig Jensen is a famous ropewalker and is known to her public as Elvira Madigan. She meets Lieutenant Sixten Sparre, a Swedish officer who is married and has two children. They both ... See full summary »

Director:

Bo Widerberg

Writers:

Bo Widerberg, Noelle Gilmour (English version),

Stars:

Pia Degermark, Thommy Berggren, Lennart Malmer

Nominated for 2 Golden Globes. Another 3 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Pia Degermark	...	Elvira Madigan, alias Hedvig Jensen
Thommy Berggren	...	Sixten Sparre
Lennart Malmer	...	Kristoffer
Cleo Jensen	...	Cleo (as Cleo)

Storyline

Hedvig Jensen is a famous ropewalker and is known to her public as Elvira Madigan. She meets Lieutenant Sixten Sparre, a Swedish officer who is married and has two children. They both decide to run away, but since Sixten deserted the army, he cannot find any job and the couple encounters many hardships. Moreover, while on the run, Sixten meets a friend who tries to convince him to come back to his country and family.

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Plot Keywords:

officer | on the run | suicide | 1880s | defector | 

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Taglines:

Sometimes truth is more exciting

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Genres:

Drama | History | Romance

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

Sweden

Language:

Swedish Danish

Release Date:

24 April 1967 (Sweden)

Also Known As:

Das Ende einer großen Liebe

Filming Locations:

Karlbergs Castle, Solna, Stockholms län, Sweden

Box Office

Gross:

SEK 2,824,000 (Sweden)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Europa Film, Janco Film

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film is based on a real-life romance that occurred in the 19th century. The story has been filmed three times.

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Connections

Featured in Stjärnbilder (1995)

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Soundtracks

"Den blomstertid nu kommer"
(uncredited)
Written by Israel Kolmodin and Johan Olof Wallin (uncredited)

User Reviews

Ever Had an Elvira Pass Your Way?

Finally I saw this film on a college campus viewing in 1969 and tried to have a discussion about it with a stranger....big mistake. This is no light-weight film.

Yes there is the storyline fact that he left his wife and children. Also the way they solved their problem is revolting to our western sensibilities who like to find living solutions to problems (with notable exceptions).

But consider the pace of the film, each second of life was dear and sweet, the music gave focus to the sunlight. She was beautiful in youth (the worshiped idol of the 60's and on). He was caught in his love for her, a grasp at life as with the one you love, trapped in the amber of film, forever.

The young couple were living without a plan for the future, not unusual when you're young. Their natural vitality gave a calm pleasure to each segment of dialog free film. A snippet of life savored. One wonders: Is old age our souls' goal?

Yes the audience is practical, steal a chicken, flee the country, do something. And if so how is their love and beauty made to stand before us? Tragedy is necessary.

Now, I'm much older, but still, once every so often I will see an Elvira walk by, I hold my breath and marvel and am pleased that the world still has room for more such Elviras. Grace and beauty.

Since that time, with the perspective from the artists' work I can see a world that would have been only guessed by me, perhaps in a dream; thanks to Elvira Madigan.