West German HEIMATFILM classic with Gert Fröbe and Maj-Britt Nilsson
In the 1930s, the Björndal novels by the Norwegian author Trygve Gulbranssen (1894-1962) were real bestsellers in German-speaking countries. At the end of the 1950s, this first part was shot by Paul May (1909-1976), who was best known for the 08/15 film series, on location (Gudbrandsdalen, southeast Norway) with a large cast of stars.
It tells the story of a farming family that has become prosperous and has to suffer under the domineering patriarch Dag (Gert Fröbe). This old Dag has two sons: the impulsive Tore (Hansjörg Felmy) and the calm Dag Jr. (Joachim Hansen). And then there is the noble Colonel von Gall (Carl Lange), who lives in the neighborhood with his snooty daughter Elisabeth (Anna Smolik). With her intrigues, this Elisabeth is supposed to become the nemesis of the Björndalers when the quick-tempered Tore fights with the dashing lieutenant Ludwig von Margas (Jürgen Goslar) over the unscrupulous Elisabeth...
The early Ingmar Bergman heroine Maj-Britt Nilsson (particularly beautiful in "Sommarlek") plays the upright Adelheid, who, like her impoverished father Major Barre (Hans Nielsen), has to endure the parasites of richer acquaintances. Especially in the role of Maj-Britt Nilsson (1924-2006) you can clearly see how much visual impressions can change. When I saw the film when I was a teenager, the character of Adelheid seemed primarily positive and likeable. As an adult, however, you recognize the unpleasant and exploitative nature of this character.
A great film that was seen by over 10 million cinemagoers at the time. There was also the BAMBI AWARD for the most popular film of the year.
Anna Smolik, born in Vienna in 1928, is a true phenomenon as Elisabeth von Gall in the film. The actress has mainly done theater and some television. She was hardly seen in the cinema, but here she was in this leading role. The rest of the star cast speaks for itself.
