The Juniper Tree (1990)

Margit and her older sister, Katla, flee their homeland in Iceland after their mother is killed for practicing witchcraft. Needing a place to stay, Katla casts a spell over a young farmer ... See full summary »

Director:

Nietzchka Keene

Writer:

Nietzchka Keene

Stars:

Björk, Bryndis Petra Bragadóttir, Valdimar Örn Flygenring

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview:
Björk	...	Margit (as Björk Guðmundsdóttir)
Bryndis Petra Bragadóttir	...	Katla
Valdimar Örn Flygenring	...	Jóhann
Guðrún Gísladóttir	...	Mother
Geirlaug Sunna Þormar	...	Jónas

Storyline

Margit and her older sister, Katla, flee their homeland in Iceland after their mother is killed for practicing witchcraft. Needing a place to stay, Katla casts a spell over a young farmer named Jóhann which makes him fall in love with her, ensuring the wellbeing of herself and Margit. Jóhann's son, Jóhas, sees through Katla's plan and pleads for his father to make her go away. To help Jóhas in his struggle, Margit's mother appears to Margit in visions and provides a magic amulet of protection for the boy. Will Jóhas be able to rid his family of Katla or will she continue to control them with her witchcraft?

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Plot Keywords:

title directed by female | spell | magic | minimal cast | grimm's fairy tales | 

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Taglines:

A Twisted Tale of Witchcraft and Mysticism

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Genres:

Drama | Fantasy

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Details

Country:

Iceland

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 February 1993 (Iceland)

Also Known As:

Einitréð

Filming Locations:

Iceland

Company Credits

Technical Specs

Runtime:

78 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

[first lines]
Margit: Where did she go?
Katla: She became ashes and left with the wind.
Margit: And her soul?
Katla: Her soul... was tied with the heart of a bird.
Margit: And the tread will hold forever?
Katla: Until the bird's heart breaks.

User Reviews

A brooding fairytale...

The Juniper Tree is one of the grimmer of the classic folktales recorded by the Grimm brothers. This movie is a artfully rendered interpretation of that fairytale.

Scandinavian films have a tendency towards a slower, subdued style and this movie is no exception. The grainy quality of the black and white images and that slower pace creates a dreamlike experience for the viewer that suits the plot well.

I would not recommend this movie for everyone. It is not particularly scary or exciting. It is however a great movie for fans of surreal dramas. People who enjoy David Lynch and Lars Fontrier movies will probably enjoy The Juniper Tree.