The Brothers Lionheart (1977)

the audience applauded

Bad Acting and worse Bad Screenplay

Admirable film.

An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

Sweden may be famous for a lot of things, but when it comes to cinema it isn't exactly the first country that comes to the minds of most of us. I know very little of Swedish cinema and I am not Swedish myself, so I'm probably not the right person to speculate on this, but it seems to me that even if Swedish films achieve success in their native country, outside they are largely unknown. This is a world and society much too focused on the always and eternally popular American cinema.This is deservedly one of the most famous Nordic films, as well as an fabulous mix of visual art. The beginning is in black and white, however colored in sepia tone - like in 'The Wizard of Oz' (1939). The fantasy sequences are colored, which means that most of it is like that. The ending is in black and white (this time the classic black and white, without sepia tone).This is a very artistic movie in other aspects as well. The cinematography is one of the most beautiful and magical I know. No need to say more, images speak for themselves and there is nothing like seeing with your very own eyes and get stunned.This starts off as a sad story about a cute 9-year old boy, Karl Lejon ("Skorpan"), who is dying from tuberculosis. His much older brother Jonatan promises him that someday they'll meet in a magical land named Nangijala. During a house fire, the older brother dies and the younger dies of terminal illness shortly after being rescued. Then, the movie "jumps" literally into the dreamy land and almost the rest of the thing takes place there. The two brothers are there, as the older promised (now as Jonatan and Karl or "Skorpan" Lejonhjärta). They live adventures, fight against evil knights and become local heroes.This touching film rightfully won an award for Best Direction in its country. No wonder Swedes are so found of this one. Unfortunately, like so many other really good movies, it's really hard to find. These so-hard-to-find movies deserve simpler access, to be better known and to be discovered/rediscovered.Lars Söderdahl is terrific as "Skorpan". Staffan Götestam is excellent as Jonatan. Allan Edwall has the same level of excellence as Mattias. The dragon Katla is clearly mechanical, which you can tell by the primitive animation and walrus-like, awful appearance. But it certainly intimidates.One final word for the soundtrack. The main theme is strong, emotional and beautiful. Combines well with the film's mood. The rest of the soundtrack too.I have no idea what is the title of this in my country.

One of the greatest movie I've ever seen in my life about two brothers who'd die suddenly, other one in fire and the other of illness. After the death the brothers, meet in Nangijala, the country of magic and power, and it seems that they can have the most wonderful time of they're life without all worries and illness. But when the Black Knight Tengil, threat the people of Nangijala, the brothers help the freedom people to fight against the home rule.Bröderna Lejonhjärta is one of the greatest movie I've seen in my life, and too one of the most touching movies you'll ever see. Check this one.

This movie/miniseries (as it is often shown) is probably one of the most haunting experiences I had growing up. The story deals with death, loss and responsibilities, and does not patronize its intended (young) audience. Most of all though, the soundtrack really got to me. The main theme can bring tears to my eyes even now, 26 years after it was first shown, way back then As a little boy I focused more on the scawwy scawwy dragon (don't laugh, it was kinda scary in 1977/78 !), but seeing it as an adult made me appreciate the story even more, although it's still hauntingly sad in places.. Brilliant work.

Maybe it's hard for people outside of Sweden to fully understand what this movie has meant to Swedes through the years. You would especially think so after reading the other comment which compares "Bröderna Lejonhjärta" to Ingmar Bergman - HELLO?!? We do have other directors than Bergman and to compare him to "Bröderna Lejonhjärta" is like comparing "American Pie" to Spike Lee or something. Please don't think you know EVERYTHING about swedish moviehistory just because you've heard of Bergman, there is so much more to it and this movie has virtually nothing in common with Bergman's work. I am also sorry if people are too destroyed by American blockbusters and can't handle the fact that this movie is for an audience of youngsters and that it's about death. I must also say that grown-ups as well as kids can enjoy this movie. It's very good to see with your children to then discuss it afterwards.Astrid Lindgren was without comparison Swedish literature's queen and when she died last year it seemed like we couldn't stop mourning. "Bröderna Lejonhjärta" ("The Lionheart Brothers") was maybe one of her most important books, because it handles such heavy subjects in such a great way. When Olle Hellbom's movie came in 1977 it caused a mediastorm Sweden had never seen before. First of all it had a completely new way of speaking to kids about death; a movie that took children seriously and didn't treat them like they could handle only joy and happiness.Second of all, back in those days the only agelimits on cinemas were 15, 11 and under. They made "Bröderna Lejonhjärta" available only to people over 11 and this caused such a storm that they actually changed the swedish law so that a new agelimit came at 7! All this over one movie.You can't understand how many kids have found comfort in this story. To children that are about to die you read this novel or show this movie and I don't know how often you read the inscription "We'll see eachother in Nangijala" on gravestones in Swedish cemeteries.This movie was groundbreaking and it's often wrongfully accused of being too dark and strange. Children can handle a lot more than you think when it comes to strong emotions like love and loss. The only thing that scared me as a kid was the sometimes graphic violence in the end. See this if you have a chance!