The Black Pimpernel (2007)

Harald Edelstam uses his position as Sweden's ambassador to Chile to save political dissidents from persecution by the military junta after Augusto Pinochet's 1973 coup d'état.

Directors:

Åsa Faringer, Ulf Hultberg

Writer:

Bob Foss

Stars:

Michael Nyqvist, Lumi Cavazos, Kate del Castillo

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Michael Nyqvist	...	Harald Edelstam
Lumi Cavazos	...	Ana Dominguez
Kate del Castillo	...	Consuelo Fuentes
Lisa Werlinder	...	Susanne Martens
Carsten Norgaard	...	Winther
Cristián Campos	...	Coronel Maldonado
Patrick Bergin	...	US Ambassador
Daniel Giménez Cacho	...	Ricardo Fuentes
Luis Gnecco	...	Oliva - Chief of Protocoll
Ramón Núñez	...	Cuban Ambassador
Rolando Garza	...	Carlos Cárdenas
Gabriela Aguilera	...	Julia
Amanda Borgnon	...	Young Ana 1941
Trinidad González	...	Secretary Swedish Embassy
Pedro Vicuña	...	Father Soto

Storyline

The story about Swedish ambassador in Chile - Harald Edelstam - and his heroic actions to protect the innocent people from the execution during and after the military coup on September 11th 1973. We travel with Edelstam during the terrible moments just after the coup and follows his never-ending fight for human rights, law and order. What drove him? And what price did he end up paying for his total commitment? Haunted by his own demons the we experiences on close hand how a womanizer desperately searches to find love again, a task only doable, if he can fight his own past and redeem himself. After saving hundreds - maybe even thousands - he is challenged once more, this time to save his newfound love from the death penalty issued by the regime. Another impossible task and a desperate chase against time. Based on a true story about a man, that did, what all of us only dreams of.

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Plot Keywords:

chilean coup d'etat 1973 | coup | human rights | ambassador | military coup | 

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Taglines:

One man made a difference

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Genres:

Drama | History | Romance | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for a scene of violence

Details

Country:

Sweden Mexico Denmark

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

14 September 2007 (Sweden)

Also Known As:

El clavel negro

Filming Locations:

Santiago, Chile

Box Office

Budget:

$5,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Mandala Films,Moviefan Scandinavia A/S,Original Film

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Black and White Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

In the credits "An der schönen blauen Donau" is attributed to Richard Strauss, it should be Johann Strauss II. It is his Opus 314 composed in 1867, 3 years after Richard Strauss was born.

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Quotes

Harald Edelstam: Take your Judas money and get out of here!

User Reviews

An important story of courage for our times

The Black Pimpernel was a surprise to me because it is a rare (and true) story of political courage. An unconventional and savvy Swedish ambassador driven by a sense of justice seeks to save lives during the fascist coup in Chile that replaces Salvador Allende with Augusto Pinochet. The ambassador places the Cuban embassy under the protection of the Swedish embassy, gives refuge to hundreds of people, helps some get out of the country, and falls in love with a female revolutionary. He takes risks no ordinary diplomatic functionary would take, uses his diplomatic immunity to smuggle people to safety, enters dangerous zones controlled by soldiers and challenges them, risking his own life. Ambassador Edelstam seemed to know exactly what to do in dealing with the new fascist regime. His unwavering courage and allegiance to human rights and decency is comparable to that of William Wiburforce, the abolitionist in the movie Amazing Grace. The Black Pimpernel was perfectly believable and kept my partner and I on the edge of our seats.