The Snow Queen (1986)

In this adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen's longest story, the beautiful Snow Queen has captured two children and now keeps them apart. She has inserted a sliver of her own special ice ... See full summary »

Director:

Päivi Hartzell

Writers:

Hans Christian Andersen (story), Päivi Hartzell (dialogue)

Stars:

Satu Silvo, Outi Vainionkulma, Sebastian Kaatrasalo

2 wins.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Satu Silvo	...	Lumikuningatar
Outi Vainionkulma	...	Kerttu
Sebastian Kaatrasalo	...	Kai
Tuula Nyman	...	Noita
Esko Hukkanen	...	Narri
Pirjo Bergström	...	Mielitetty
Juulia Ukkonen	...	Prinsessa
Paavo Westerberg	...	Prinssi
Saara Pakkasvirta	...	Rosvoakka
Ismo Alanko	...	Rosvoveli
Markku Huhtamo	...	Rosvoveli
Antti Litja	...	Rosvoveli
Esko Varonen	...	Rosvoveli
Marja Pyykkö	...	Rosvotyttö
Elina Hurme	...	Rosvotytön ääni

Storyline

In this adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen's longest story, the beautiful Snow Queen has captured two children and now keeps them apart. She has inserted a sliver of her own special ice into the eye of the boy, so that his heart will turn to ice and will be a proper match for hers. The boy's sister, meanwhile, has won free and attempts to find her brother. When she does, the warmth of her love for him melts his frozen heart and defeats the Snow Queen decisively.

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Plot Keywords:

snow | children | f rated | foreign language adaptation | fairy tale | 

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Genres:

Family | Fantasy

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Certificate:

Unrated

Did You Know?

Quotes

Prinssi: Go to sleep! You're a nice little princess: I'll see they
[his robber gang]
Prinssi: don't marry you - unless you vex me.
[English subtitles of Finnish film]

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Connections

Version of The Snow Queen (1995)

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Soundtracks

Kevätkarnevaalit
Written by Jukka Linkola

User Reviews

Finely crafted dark fantasy

I remember watching this movie as a child and being totally enchanted by it, even the obvious English dubbing didn't detract from the quality of the story. It's such a surreal piece, and though a children's fairy tale, often it came across as more of a dark fantasy produced for an older audience, similar in tone to the American film 'Return to Oz', Gerda's stay at the witch's house, and the later scene where she is abducted were rather frightening. As for the snow queen herself, she is depicted as beautiful but more than human powerful female, the stuff of nightmares! Not long after I read the original Hans Christian Handerson tale, and although I enjoyed it I felt the movie to be superior, so if you ever get the chance to see this Finnish masterpiece don't pass it up!

Details

Country:

Finland

Language:

Finnish

Release Date:

19 December 1986 (Finland)

Also Known As:

The Snow Queen

Filming Locations:

Finland

Company Credits

Production Co:

Neofilmi

Technical Specs

Runtime:

89 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1