Hagbard and Signe (1967)

The young beloveds fight for their love in medieval Scandinavia.

Director:

Gabriel Axel

Writers:

Gabriel Axel, Saxo Grammaticus (story "annals Gesta Danorum, 7th Book")

Stars:

Oleg Vidov, Gitte Hænning, Eva Dahlbeck

2 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Oleg Vidov	...	Hagbard
Gitte Hænning	...	Signe
Eva Dahlbeck	...	The Queen
Birgitte Federspiel	...	King Hamund's widow
Lisbeth Movin	...	Bengerd
Johannes Meyer	...	Bilvis
Håkan Jahnberg	...	Bolvis
Manfred Reddemann	...	Hildegisl
Henning Palner	...	Hake
Gisli Alfredsson	...	Sigvald
Folmer Rubæk	...	Helvin
Borgar Garðarsson	...	Alf (as Borgar Gardarsson)
Jörgen Lantz	...	King Hammond (as Jørgen Lantz)
Frederik Tharaldsen	...	Alger
Sisse Reingaard	...	Rigmor

Storyline

The story, based on an ancient legend, concerns Hagbard (Oleg Vidov), the son of a slain Norse king. Seeking revenge against the rival clan responsible for the killing, Hagbard calms down long enough to establish a truce. He also falls in love with Signe (Gitte Haenning), daughter of his onetime enemy. Signe's former beau, sizzling with jealousy, breaks the truce and makes it appear that Hagbard was responsible. The young prince escapes, but returns disguised as a woman to his beloved Signe.

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Plot Keywords:

5th century | based on legend | hunt | love triangle | young man | 

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Genres:

Drama | History

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Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Soundtracks

A Moment of Your Love
from The Red Mantle (US version 1972)
Music by Marc Fredericks
Lyrics by Sammy Cahn
Sung by Judy Scott

User Reviews

Are you tired of only wondering about this?.....

.....then by all means let me know directly at the above e-mail address so that I may arrange for a copy for you. While battling Norsemen impale and decapitate each other (pretty graphic for '67!) in bloody seaside duels, clan patriarch Gunnar Bjornstrand ('The Seventh Seal') worries that his beloved daughter is getting a little too sweet on a splendid blond beast from the wrong side of the "tracks," and so the plot thickens as that inevitable, classic tragedy awaits. The original version of this forgotten wonder has been hailed as one of the greatest exponents of 'medieval cinema." And despite some campy dubbing ('That was a good blow you gave me last night') and faded color, the domestic version's retention of the Cinemascope format helps one imagine what an awesome experience it must've been to see director Gabriel Axel's unspoiled foreign cut (btw, 20 years later Axel enjoyed major international acclaim with 'Babette's Feast').

Details

Country:

Denmark Iceland Sweden

Language:

Norwegian Swedish Latin

Release Date:

16 May 1968 (USA)

Also Known As:

Hagbard and Signe

Filming Locations:

Iceland

Company Credits

Production Co:

ASA Film, Movie Art of Europe, Edda Film (II)

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1