The Black Pimpernel (2007)

Directors:

Åsa Faringer
Ulf Hultberg

Writer:

Bob Foss (written by)

Release Date:

14 September 2007 (Sweden)

Genre:

Drama | History | Romance | Thriller

Tagline:

One man made a difference

Plot:

The story about Swedish ambassador in Chile - Harald Edelstam - and his heroic actions to protect the innocent people from the execution during and after the military coup on September 11th 1973. We travel with Edelstam during the terrible moments just after the coup and follows his never-ending fight for human rights, law and order. What drove him? And what price did he end up paying for his total commitment? Haunted by his own demons the we experiences on close hand how a womanizer desperately searches to find love again, a task only doable, if he can fight his own past and redeem himself. After saving hundreds - maybe even thousands - he is challenged once more, this time to save his newfound love from the death penalty issued by the regime. Another impossible task and a desperate chase against time. Based on a true story about a man, that did, what all of us only dreams of.

Cast

Michael Nyqvist	...	Harald Edelstam
Lumi Cavazos	...	Ana Dominguez
Kate del Castillo	...	Consuelo Fuentes
Lisa Werlinder	...	Susanne Martens
Carsten Norgaard	...	Winther
Cristián Campos	...	Coronel Maldonado
Patrick Bergin	...	US Ambassador
Daniel Giménez Cacho	...	Ricardo Fuentes
Luis Gnecco	...	Oliva - Chief of Protocoll
Ramón Núñez	...	Cuban Ambassador
Rolando Garza	...	Carlos Cárdenas
Gabriela Aguilera	...	Julia
Amanda Borgnon	...	Young Ana 1941
Trinidad González	...	Secretary Swedish Embassy
Pedro Vicuña	...	Father Soto

Also Known As:

Den sorte Pimpernel (Denmark)
Den svarta nejlikan (Sweden) (promotional title)
El clavel negro (Mexico)
Svarta nejlikan (Sweden)

MPAA:

Rated R for a scene of violence.

Runtime:

95 min

Country:

Sweden | Mexico | Denmark

Language:

English | Spanish

Color:

Black and White | Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Sweden:15 | USA:R | Peru:14

Filming Locations:

Santiago, Chile

Company:

Mandala Films

Goofs:

Anachronisms: While the National Stadium of Santiago was indeed a detention and torture center in 1973, it is showed with present-day green painting.

Disappointing Pimpernel

Harald Edelstam was ambassador of Sweden in Chile during the Pinochet rebellion. He saved many people from the junta and also took considerable personal risks. He's worth a movie.

But a better one than this. First, it's always ridiculous hearing Swedes talking English to each other. That makes the picture less trustworthy from the beginning. Second, it's not very well acted and the characters are very square. This is more of a drama for TV than for a big screen.

It's a pity, because this is an important subject about morality and personal responsibility. But you don't get interested.