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IMDbPro

Pelle the Conqueror

Original title: Pelle erobreren
  • 19871987
  • PG-13PG-13
  • 2h 37m
IMDb RATING
7.8/10
11K
YOUR RATING
Max von Sydow and Pelle Hvenegaard in Pelle the Conqueror (1987)
Trailer for Pelle the Conqueror
Play trailer1:41
3 Videos
84 Photos
Drama
When his wife dies, Lasse takes his 12-year-old son, Pelle, from their home in Sweden to Denmark in search of a better life.When his wife dies, Lasse takes his 12-year-old son, Pelle, from their home in Sweden to Denmark in search of a better life.When his wife dies, Lasse takes his 12-year-old son, Pelle, from their home in Sweden to Denmark in search of a better life.
IMDb RATING
7.8/10
11K
YOUR RATING
    • Bille August
  • Writers
    • Martin Andersen Nexø(novel)
    • Bille August(screenplay)
    • Per Olov Enquist(in collaboration with)
  • Stars
    • Pelle Hvenegaard
    • Max von Sydow
    • Erik Paaske
    • Bille August
  • Writers
    • Martin Andersen Nexø(novel)
    • Bille August(screenplay)
    • Per Olov Enquist(in collaboration with)
  • Stars
    • Pelle Hvenegaard
    • Max von Sydow
    • Erik Paaske
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 56User reviews
    • 25Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Won 1 Oscar

    Videos3

    Pelle the Conqueror: 30th Anniversary
    Trailer 1:41
    Watch Pelle the Conqueror: 30th Anniversary
    PELLE THE CONQUEROR - OFFICIAL US Trailer
    Trailer 1:41
    Watch PELLE THE CONQUEROR - OFFICIAL US Trailer
    Indie Spirit Stars Suggest Indie Gems You Must Watch Right Now
    Clip 2:49
    Watch Indie Spirit Stars Suggest Indie Gems You Must Watch Right Now

    Photos84

    Max von Sydow and Pelle Hvenegaard in Pelle the Conqueror (1987)
    Max von Sydow and Pelle Hvenegaard in Pelle the Conqueror (1987)
    Max von Sydow and Pelle Hvenegaard in Pelle the Conqueror (1987)
    Max von Sydow and Pelle Hvenegaard in Pelle the Conqueror (1987)
    Pelle the Conqueror (1987)
    Pelle the Conqueror (1987)
    Pelle the Conqueror (1987)
    Pelle the Conqueror (1987)
    Pelle the Conqueror (1987)
    Pelle the Conqueror (1987)
    Pelle the Conqueror (1987)
    Pelle the Conqueror (1987)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Pelle Hvenegaard
    Pelle Hvenegaard
    • Pelle
    Max von Sydow
    Max von Sydow
    • Lassefar
    Erik Paaske
    • Forvalter
    Björn Granath
    Björn Granath
    • Erik
    • (as Bjørn Granath)
    Astrid Villaume
    • Fru Kongstrup
    Axel Strøbye
    Axel Strøbye
    • Kongstrup
    Troels Asmussen
    • Rud
    Kristina Törnqvist
    • Anna
    Karen Wegener
    • Madam Olsen
    Sofie Gråbøl
    Sofie Gråbøl
    • Jomfru Sine
    Lars Simonsen
    Lars Simonsen
    • Niels Køller
    Buster Larsen
    • Ole Køller
    John Wittig
    • Skolelærer
    Troels Munk
    • Læge
    Nis Bank-Mikkelsen
    • Præst
    Lena-Pia Bernhardsson
    • Soen
    • (as Lena Pia Bernhardsson)
    Anna Lise Hirsch Bjerrum
    • Karna
    • (as Anne Lise Hirsch Bjerrum)
    Vilhelm Weber
    • Karl på Stengården
      • Bille August
    • Writers
      • Martin Andersen Nexø(novel)
      • Bille August(screenplay)
      • Per Olov Enquist(in collaboration with)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Pelle Hvenegaard, who plays the leading part, is actually named after the title character himself.
    • Goofs
      Although set on the island of Bornholm, the characters speak standard Danish instead of the Bornholmsk dialect, and do not have Bornholm accents either.
    • Quotes

      [first lines]

      Pelle: Father?

      Lassefar: Everything's gonna be fine.

      Pelle: Say it again.

      Lassefar: This new country we're going to is very different.

      Pelle: Tell me more about it.

      Lassefar: They put raisins in the pork roast and butter on the bread. They put a lot of butter on the bread. Brandy is as cheap as water and it is so strong that it knocks you off. But your father can take it, Pelle, because he's strong.

      Pelle: And children are free all day.

      Lassefar: Yes, Pelle, yes.

      Pelle: Say it again.

      Lassefar: You get so well-paid that children don't need...

      Pelle: Don't need to work. They can play all day long.

      Lassefar: [smiling] Yes.

    • Connections
      Edited into Eventyret om dansk film 18: Nye perspektiver - 1970-1987 (1996)

    User reviews56

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    10/10
    I am speechless
    Sometimes I stumble on a movie which all of the sudden turns out to be a real masterpiece. Pelle the Conqueror really surprised me – touching story told in a unique way. Pelle is a boy from Sweden who immigrates to Denmark with his dad after the death of his mother. They are both full of hope – hope for a new beginning – and there is a scene in the boat on which Pelle wants to hear over and over about the new country they will be living at: "Tell me about it again, papa. It's very different this new country.

    • You'll hardly… - You'll hardly believe your eyes. They put raisins in the pork roastand butter on your bread…Some places they put butter on your bread.- And kids are free all day.


    • Yes, Pelle, yes. Wages are so incredibly high, that kids…That kids don't have to work." It sounds too good to be true – may be not for you – but imagine what those words meant for a boy who is used to live in a missy , probably due to the hard life he had to live after the death of his mother. As soon as the boat reaches the shore the reality of this new world came out of the dream mist. Finding employment is not as easy especially considering the age of the Pele's father and the fact that he has a small boy with him. At the end they are offered an employment at a large farm, but find the life would present many challenges to them.


    The acting is very good – the young Pelle Hvenegaard who plays the role of Pelle is so good that one can thing that he has a dozen of movies in his carrier and probably that is the reason for which 2 years after the movie is released he wins two award for the Best Young Actor in 1988 at the European Film Awards and for Best Young Actor in a Foreign Film in a Foreign Filmat the young artists awards for his role in Pelle the Conqueror.

    I watched this movie with constant hope to see happiness in the eyes of Pelle and the moments in which he felt happy was shining like a real diamonds surrounded by the dust of the harsh live he had to deal with. Although Pelle is often refused friendships from the local Danish boys he shows his good heart befriending a boy who has some physical disability – and their friendship through a little odd at times shows that people can find someone to care for , even in the toughest places.

    Pelle the Conqueror is classic movie and although some may thing that the story gets a bit depressing at times I recommend it to anyone who treasure excellent coming of age movies.
    helpful•38
    5
    • ninoguapo
    • Mar 31, 2007

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 21, 1988 (United States)
      • Denmark
      • Sweden
      • Finnish
      • Scanian
      • Danish
      • Swedish
    • Also known as
    • Filming locations
      • Bregnegården, Tappernøje, Sjælland, Denmark
    • Production companies
      • Per Holst Filmproduktion
      • Svensk Filmindustri (SF)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • 2 hours 37 minutes
      • Color
      • Dolby Stereo

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    Max von Sydow and Pelle Hvenegaard in Pelle the Conqueror (1987)
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