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The Kingdom

Original title: Riget
  • TV Series
  • 1994–2022
  • TV-MA
  • 1h
IMDb RATING
8.2/10
21K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,460
411
The Kingdom (1994)
The Kingdom: Series 2
Play trailer1:30
3 Videos
71 Photos
Dark ComedyPsychological HorrorComedyDramaFantasyHorrorMystery

Doctors at an ultramodern hospital in Denmark become convinced, by way of weird, inexplicable happenings, that the place is haunted.Doctors at an ultramodern hospital in Denmark become convinced, by way of weird, inexplicable happenings, that the place is haunted.Doctors at an ultramodern hospital in Denmark become convinced, by way of weird, inexplicable happenings, that the place is haunted.

  • Creator
    • Lars von Trier
  • Stars
    • Ernst-Hugo Järegård
    • Kirsten Rolffes
    • Ghita Nørby
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    8.2/10
    21K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    2,460
    411
    • Creator
      • Lars von Trier
    • Stars
      • Ernst-Hugo Järegård
      • Kirsten Rolffes
      • Ghita Nørby
    • 94User reviews
    • 59Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 20 wins & 7 nominations total

    Episodes13

    Browse episodes
    TopTop-rated

    Videos3

    The Kingdom: Clip 1
    Clip 1:55
    The Kingdom: Clip 1
    The Kingdom: Series 2
    Trailer 1:30
    The Kingdom: Series 2
    The Kingdom: Series 2
    Trailer 1:30
    The Kingdom: Series 2
    The Kingdom
    Trailer 1:12
    The Kingdom

    Photos71

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    + 65
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    Top cast99+

    Edit
    Ernst-Hugo Järegård
    Ernst-Hugo Järegård
    • Stig Helmer
    • 1994–1997
    Kirsten Rolffes
    • Sigrid Drusse
    • 1994–1997
    Ghita Nørby
    Ghita Nørby
    • Rigmor Mortensen
    • 1994–2022
    Søren Pilmark
    Søren Pilmark
    • Jørgen Krogshøj
    • 1994–2022
    Birgitte Raaberg
    • Judith Petersen
    • 1994–2022
    Peter Mygind
    Peter Mygind
    • Morten 'Mogge' Moesgaard
    • 1994–2022
    Udo Kier
    Udo Kier
    • Age Krüger…
    • 1994–2022
    Laura Christensen
    Laura Christensen
    • Mona Jensen
    • 1994–2022
    Ole Emil Riisager
    • Narrator
    • 1994–2022
    Solbjørg Højfeldt
    Solbjørg Højfeldt
    • Camilla
    • 1994–2022
    Henning Jensen
    Henning Jensen
    • Bob
    • 1994–2022
    Birthe Neumann
    • Fru Svendsen
    • 1997–2022
    Holger Juul Hansen
    • Einar Moesgaard…
    • 1994–1997
    Jens Okking
    Jens Okking
    • Bulder Harly Drusse
    • 1994–1997
    Otto Brandenburg
    • Hansen
    • 1994–1997
    Baard Owe
    Baard Owe
    • Palle Bondo
    • 1994–1997
    Vita Jensen
    • Opvasker #1
    • 1994–1997
    Morten Rotne Leffers
    • Opvasker #2
    • 1994–1997
    • Creator
      • Lars von Trier
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews94

    8.220.9K
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    Featured reviews

    Katatonia

    One of my favorites...

    The Kingdom (Riget I) is quite simply a classic work of modern cinema. It's creepy, it's funny, it's emotional...and so much more. It grabs the viewer and does not let go until the end of each episode. Then, you want to view the next episode right away! It is like a great book which keeps you turning the pages one after another, after another...

    I first saw The Kingdom on video and was blown away by the odd characters and the peculiar script of ideas. The story gets even more bizarre and twisted in Riget II, which has never been officially released in North America...but is available as an import for those interested. The full series is something I feel the urge to view again on a regular basis. In fact, I enjoy it so much that I've owned four subsequent editions on VHS and DVD. The official released 4-DVD import set from Denmark is the best, containing the full uncut versions of Riget 1 & 2.

    The choice of the actors and actresses turned out perfect for the series, it is these performances that make The Kingdom work so flawlessly well. Ernst-Hugo Järegård & Kirsten Rolffes are the two most memorable roles in the series, and it is sad that they've both passed away. This is unfortunate as there would have been a Riget III to finish off the complete tales of The Kingdom, according to the words of Von Trier at least. It looks like that a Part 3 will never happen though, since two of the best leads of the project are gone forever.

    The way The Kingdom was filmed has a stylish look that is very organic, believable, and creepy when it needs to be. They tried many things to get a deliberate "dirty look" for the series, and I think they hit the mark dead on.

    Stephen King also happens to be a fan of The Kingdom, and is currently working on a longer North American version of the series. I've heard it will be fully over 20 hours, but that could be just a wild rumor. I am skeptical that this will work, but we'll just have to wait and see what it's like. Perhaps Part 3 of the story will finally get completed in this version. I'm sure I will always enjoy Von Trier's original the most, but it would be nice simply to know how the unfinished story of Part 3 evolves and is concluded...
    Ezreal

    Why can't American television be like this?

    The closest that American television has even come close to "The Kingdom" was the recent Stephen King mini-series "Storm of the Century." Still, even this was nowhere near as engaging as this Danish mini-series. Practically none of this would ever get through through censors here.

    Loopy hospital drama, restless spirits, an incubus, Voodoo... it's all here, it all makes perfect sense and it is a series that leaves one screaming for more when it ends (I will be scouring this city for "The Kingdom II" before the week is over). I won't ruin a bit of it, other than to say the closing scene shocked me so much that my original critical summery cannot be printed here. Truly amazing film-making, and definitely a glimpse of what television could be without all the censors and constant pandering to the lowest common denominator.
    shierfilm

    Riget=Riveting

    Few films have had me in their grip as von Trier's THE KINGDOM. Difficult to describe in words. Basically a horror epic that takes you to a hospital that no self-respecting human would set foot in. The camerawork is a real feat of genius. Why? Well, for such jerky movement to hold my attention for 4 AND ONE HALF HOURS I have nothing but admiration.

    And it made me want to see Part II immediately after! Come to think of it, if Lars wanted to, he could have made it a week long marathon and I would have forgone sleep to see it's conclusion! Bring me buckets of espresso and bags of sugar! I ain't goin' anywhere.........
    9gogoschka-1

    Atmospheric Arthouse "Almost Dogme" Series About A Haunted Hospital

    Lars von Trier's weird, crazy TV show about a haunted hospital with an amazing atmosphere and a great cast. Shows that you don't need a lot of money as long as you've got great actors, good writing and the perfect location. Shot entirely on an ordinary video camera, this is "no budget" Arthouse cinema. The second part of the series is just as good, and I only wish we would have gotten the originally planned third part as well, but the untimely death of the lead actor sadly prevented this from ever happening. Still, let's enjoy what we got. 9 stars out of 10.

    In case you're interested in more underrated masterpieces, here's some of my favorites:

    imdb.com/list/ls070242495
    9jonathandoe_se7en

    Be prepared to take the Good, with the Evil

    Lars Von Trier perfects his dogme style with this fascinating Horror satire about a haunted, bizarre hospital. I watched both this and `The Kingdom II' back-to-back over one night and I must say the six hours just flew by. I've never had so much fun watching a television series before. Every thing was brilliant, the casting and sepia toned style helped give a reality of the situation and a labyrinthine theme to the hospital itself. All the actors were wonderful and totally believable. I hope they make more episodes soon; I'm hooked...

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      For the German-speaking markets, 'Riget' was translated into 'Hospital der Geister - The Kingdom', as a direct translation, 'Das Reich', for obvious reasons was deemed inappropriate.
    • Goofs
      Helmer procures hot coffee, and enters the archive. Mogge returns, with Krogshøj, and they lock Helmer in - he's left standing with a cup of scalding coffee - he can't move with setting off the infra-red alarm sensors. He's left, statue-like, staring at his cup of steaming liquid. Cut to Drusse and Bulder. She says she has to perform a seance for some doctors, and tells Bulder that in 1 hour, they are to attempt to enter the archive. When they get there, they inadvertently liberate Helmer, who casts away his cup of still scalding, yet hour-old coffee.
    • Quotes

      Helmer: Here is Denmark, excreted from limestone. There is Sweden, chiselled from granite. Danish scum!

    • Alternate versions
      Originally shown as a TV miniseries in 4 episodes. A slightly longer theatrical version was released abroad after the TV premiere.
    • Connections
      Featured in I Lars von Triers rige - en mand og hans tv-serie (1994)

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    FAQ19

    • How many seasons does The Kingdom have?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 24, 1994 (Denmark)
    • Countries of origin
      • Denmark
      • Italy
      • Germany
      • France
      • Norway
      • Sweden
      • Netherlands
    • Languages
      • Danish
      • Swedish
    • Also known as
      • The Kingdom II
    • Filming locations
      • Rigshospitalet, Østerbro, Copenhagen, Denmark
    • Production companies
      • Danmarks Radio (DR)
      • Zentropa Entertainments
      • ARTE
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby

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