Pelle the Conqueror (1987)

Recommended

Denmark/Sweden

Feature Film

Original Title: Pelle erobreren

Director: Bille August

Writers: Bille August, Per Olov Enquist, Bjarne Reuter, Martin Andersen Nexø

Cinematographer: Jörgen Persson

Composer: Stefan Nilsson

Cast: Pelle Hvenegaard, Max von Sydow, Erik Paaske, Björn Granath, Astrid Villaume, Axel Strøbye, Troels Asmussen, Kristina Törnqvist, Karen Wegener, Sofie Gråbøl

Bille August’s Oscar winning film – adapted from the first volume of Martin Andersen Nexø’s acclaimed, two-part, late 19th century set novel; following the trials and tribulations of a father and son from Sweden, recently immigrated to Denmark in search of a better life, detailing the cruelty and exploitation that they suffer – proves itself to be a beautifully crafted, excellently acted, and thoroughly compelling work. Iain.Stott