Trollhunter (2010)

A group of students investigates a series of mysterious bear killings, but learns that there are much more dangerous things going on. They start to follow a mysterious hunter, learning that he is actually a troll hunter.

Director:

André Øvredal

Writer:

André Øvredal

Stars:

Otto Jespersen, Robert Stoltenberg, Knut Nærum

10 wins & 12 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Otto Jespersen	...	Hans, trolljegeren
Glenn Erland Tosterud	...	Thomas
Johanna Mørck	...	Johanna
Tomas Alf Larsen	...	Kalle
Urmila Berg-Domaas	...	Malica
Hans Morten Hansen	...	Finn Haugen
Robert Stoltenberg	...	Polsk bjørnejeger
Knut Nærum	...	E-verkssjef
Eirik Bech	...	Campingplasseier
Inge Erik Henjesand
Tom Jørgensen	...	Polsk bjørnejeger
Benedicte Aubert Ringnes
Magne Skjævesland
Torunn Lødemel Stokkeland	...	Hilde, veterinär
Finn Norvald Øvredal

Storyline

When bears are found dead in Norway, students from Volda University, Thomas, Johanna and cameraman Kalle, decide to investigate. They stalk the trail of the mysterious hunter Hans expecting to find an explanation for the killings. The reluctant Hans tries to flee from the youngsters, but then agrees to let them film him in action, provided they follow his orders. Soon the trio of students learns that Hans is actually a troll hunter working for a secret government agency. Further, several dangerous trolls have escaped from their territory and Hans is assigned to eliminate them.

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Plot Keywords:

troll | secret government agency | secret government organization | hunter | bear | 

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Taglines:

You'll believe it when you see it!

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Genres:

Drama | Fantasy | Horror

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for some sequences of creature terror

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook (Norwegian) Official Facebook (UK)

Country:

Norway

Language:

Norwegian English

Release Date:

27 July 2011 (France)

Also Known As:

Trollhunter

Filming Locations:

Luster, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway

Box Office

Budget:

NOK 19,900,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$5,585 (USA) (10 June 2011)

Gross:

$252,652 (USA) (16 September 2011)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Filmkameratene A/S, Film Fund FUZZ, SF Norge A/S

Technical Specs

Runtime:

103 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Trollhunter contains many references to Norwegian culture and Norwegian folktales e.g. the belief that there are different species of trolls, trolls having a tail, multiple heads, the ability to smell a Christian's blood, trolls eating rocks, but loving meat and sometimes being man-eaters. The trolls are also described as big, old, strong, but slow and dim-witted, turning to stone when exposed to sunlight. The film also has several specific references to some traditional fairy tales e.g. Boots Who Ate a Match With the Troll, Three Billy Goats Gruff, Soria Moria Castle.

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Goofs

Title cards at the beginning say the hard disk with the footage was received on October 13, 2008. The TST form that Hans fills in the diner was dated October 9, 2009.

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Quotes

Kalle: So what do you do if a troll wants to have an eating contest with you?
Hans, trolljegeren: Eating contest? Fairy tells usually don't match reality.

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Crazy Credits

SPOILER: After the credits there is a jump sequence where three roaring trolls burst out of a cave and at the camera

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Connections

Featured in Ebert Presents: At the Movies: Episode #1.20 (2011)

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Soundtracks

In the Hall of the Mountain King
(uncredited)
By Edvard Grieg
[In the brief scene with the 3 trolls at the very end of the film]

User Reviews

A ten of ten, but maybe not for foreigners?

This movie deserves allot of praise, simply for how well it plays on the Norwegian cultural memes. Visually it is also quite good, as it show of the landscapes and places in which the folklore of trolls actually arose, and of course spices it with lovely computer graphics when needed. The graphics merge very well with the mockumentary style, and the movie itself falls between categories, mixing comedy, action and fake amateur documentary style.

The bad sides are simply that it lacks a bit of flow at times, and of course, the biggest drawback of them all, one which only applies for foreigners: it's a very very Norwegian story. I saw it with my Portuguese girlfriend, and she thought it was okay. I briefed her on our fairy tales before seeing it, but jokes like the three sheep on the bridge are hard to catch, or appreciate, without being marinated in our culture for a long time. One other issue for me was actually the cameo appearance of two Norwegian comedians, something which slightly spoils the illusion. Others might disagree.

I suspect this movie would be a seven or six of ten if I was not Norwegian, simply for its concepts, but because it is so rich to me, I give it a ten despite its flaws. You'll love this movie for its visual side, and some of the drama is also great. For Norwegians, this is a must see. For everyone else, it might be exotic and neat, and offer you some relief from classical Hollywood monster depictions.

And should you get curious after seeing it, Google for "Theodor Kittelsen", and "Asbjornsen and Moe" (: Enjoy!