Review of Pelle the Conqueror

Introduction

Winner of the Academy Award for best Foreign Picture, Pelle the Conqueror is the epic story of a father and son (the eponymous Pelle) who leave Sweden for Denmark in the early 1900s searching for a better life. In actual fact, what the find is possibly worse than the life they left.

Father and son are downtrodden by their rich employer but are never broken and this film documents their struggle to make a better life for themselves.

Video

This is a poor transfer of a (possibly) poor print. Grain is noticeable throughout the film and there are frequent sparkles, hairs and lines visible. This is a pity because the visuals are quite striking, highlighting the bleak beauty of the Danish location. The film deserves better.

Audio

The audio is fine – a straight DD 2.0 mix – with one exception. That exception is the dubbing. In general, I hate the practice of dubbing foreign films. It is usual more distracting than having to read sub-titles (which I actually find unobtrusive and, somehow, natural) and this is a particularly bad example. Again, it is a shame and, again, the film deserves better.

Features

None to speak of. There is a fairly banal picture gallery, and that’s it.

Conclusion

Overall, Pelle is a fine film and a worthwhile way to spend 150 minutes.

It is 30 minutes too long, though. The director, Bille August, introduces too many peripheral characters and doesn’t develop them fully. In any event, they aren’t necessary; the focus is Pelle and his father. That being the case, the two main performers – Pelle Hvenegaard (Pelle) and Max Von Sydow (his father Lasse) – need to be compelling.

Fortunately, they are. Hvenegaard gives a natural and likeable performance, bringing an appropriate vulnerability to the role of Pelle. Von Sydow, though, is superb. To a role that lesser actors would overplay, he brings an understated dignity and an air of patient sufferance. Every time he is on screen, you are captivated.

The plot is well developed (if a little undisciplined) and draws the you into the life of Pelle very effectively.

So, a good, but not great, film. The DVD, however, is pretty bad. The poor picture quality and inappropriate dubbing do their best to spoil your enjoyment of the film. They don’t quite manage it, and there is still some pleasure to be had here. However, the film is fighting against the DVD rather than being complemented by it. Could do better.