The Great Adventure

It is not often that I am stumped for words when reviewing a film, but when dealing with the magnificent photography and masterful imagery of Arne Sucksdorff's 1953 nature film The Great Adventure, words fail me and all that is left is experience, untranslatable into words. Part nature documentary and part fictional coming-of-age story, Sucksdorff spent two years filming in the Swedish countryside and another two years in editing. The end result is a glimpse of nature-in-the-raw, eons removed from the Discovery Channel or the anthropomorphic films of Walt Disney.

Depicting four seasons of life in the woods and surrounding farms, we follow a family of foxes, otters, lynx and other animals, engaged in the struggle to survive against the laws of natural selection, and the perpetrations of human beings. Supplementing the film's hymn to nature is the touching story of two young brothers, Anders (Anders Nohrborg) and Kjell (Kjell Sucksdorff), who rescue a trapped otter and, unknown to their parents, hide it in the basement of their home, feeding it by fishing in the nearby frozen lake.

The Great Adventure, a prize winner at the 1954 Cannes Film Festival, has been one of my top ten favorite films ever since I saw it as a child. Unfortunately, it is only available on a Swedish (Region 2) DVD but it is fifteen minutes longer and of far better quality than the long unavailable U.S. VHS version.

"The Great Adventure" is a very fine film achievement, in which Director Arne Susksdorff beautifully realizes animal life and nature. Taking two years to edit the footage, Susksdorff has created a rare glimpse of wild animal life and its special relationship with humans, as depicted through the eyes of a small boy. The black and white photography is superb, and the film's total impact is emotionally moving and unforgettable. This one definitely needs to be available on video!

I saw this film twenty years ago in a documentary film class at Cleveland State U. and never forgot it.

I recently ordered from a distributor here in LA and was very surprised to see that the film still holds some incredible dramatic power. I put the tape on without saying a word while my five year old daughter played. She was soon drawn into the story (at first by the fox cubs and their life and death struggle with the farmer). She was more emotionally invested in the film than she had been in Finding Nemo the day before.

I've never seen it available for rent but well worth the 35 bucks to own the VHS.

... I was only 6 when this film was released & later saw it on local TV here in Bflo./Niagara! It enchanted me with it's B&W footage, but more importantly the plot of the young children with the otter-&-Nature. Who knew it would win a major award at the Cannes Film Festival, among-4-other awards. I became hooked on the many, wonderful +, upbeat movies from throughout the world-&-Hollywood! Comedy-&-musicals, my favorite, which would later lead me to write for "Billboard Magazine" in L.A., Vegas & here in thee Bflo./Niagara markets! & sing in choirs since 6th grade! Thank God for music-&-IMDb, which allows us to enjoy life more-&-share our memories!

Outstanding story told in semi documentary style covering four seasons of a boy's life on a farm.Took two years to editing the film.Superb filmed in black and white. see it if you have a chance!!!

4,9 out of 5