Poika ja ilves (1998)

User Rating:

5.2/10   

Directors:

Raimo O. Niemi
Ville Suhonen

Writers:

Ville Suhonen (screenplay) and
Martin Daniel (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

18 December 1998 (Finland)

Genre:

Adventure | Family | Drama

Plot:

Twelve-year-old Tommy reluctantly moves with his father from the big city to a small Lapp village - the childhood home of his mother...

Plot Keywords:

Lynx | Boy | Loss Of Mother | Wilderness | Animal

Awards:

1 win & 5 nominations

Cast

Konsta Hietanen	...	Tommy
Risto Tuorila	...	Uncle Jouko
Jarmo Mäkinen	...	Haapala
Antti Virmavirta	...	Father
Kristiina Halttu	...	Helena
Rauno Ahonen	...	Jaska
Jussi Puhakka	...	Oula
Markku Huhtamo	...	Kalle Pokka
Mikko Kivinen	...	Park Director
Aarno Sulkanen	...	Chief of Police
Tero Jartti	...	Junior Herdsman
Ville Myllyrinne	...	Policeman
Katariina Kaitue	...	Mother
Pentti Jumisko	...	Junior Herdsman
Tapani Kenttämaa	...	Junior Herdsman

Also Known As:

Tommy and the Wildcat

Runtime:

102 min

Country:

Finland

Language:

English | Finnish

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Finland:K-8/5 | Singapore:PG | Sweden:7 | Norway:7

Filming Locations:

Posio, Finland

Company:

Suomi-Filmi

Trivia:

Scenes without animals were filmed twice with both Finnish and English language dialogue, although the final English language version does not use the voices of the original cast as the dialogue was dubbed by Canadian actors.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Tomi is at the hospital, a glimpse thru window shows green leaves on trees, despite the fact that he was just rescued from snowy wintertime wilderness.

The most beautiful nature film I have ever seen

The film is quite incredible. It's really touching to see Tomi following his mother and calling her at the very beginning.

The attitudes of the villagers get me think what I really have read about the hatred towards the beasts of prey. I myself want to defend them just like Tomi, his father and Helena, but I was quite disappointed that Leevi only kills his preys and doesn't eat them. However, he really isn't just a sweet little cat but a real predator, and that's why I especially like him.

The poacher is quite an unpleasant character, but it's good that Tomi's uncle changes his attitudes and behavior after the boy has heard the truth about him. And even Haapala is OK at the very end.

The nature shown in the film is especially beautiful, and I am also content with the music. However, the best in the film was no doubt the friendship between Tomi and Leevi.

I have also seen the document of how the film had been done. All of the actors, especially Konsta Hietanen and Väinö were really superb, but I must say that all the lynxes were far too tame - in any case, they ARE beasts of prey, and that's what they should be.