Rating: 
Summary: pompous, boring, inauthentic
Review: Although I am fascinated by medieval culture and Scandinavia, I found this to be one of the most unbearable films ever made. The book upon which it is based is, as other reviewers have pointed out, an outstanding realist novel. However authentic the historical details of the book may be, the plot and characterization are incredibly trite. Ullmann's film version makes matters far worse. At every juncture, Ullmann chose the most obvious and hackneyed solutions to creative problems in bringing the story to life. I've come to the conclusion that the fundamental problem with both the film and the book is that Ullmann and Undset superimpose their utterly modern (and utterly uninteresting) values and views on the middle ages instead of exploring the things that make the medieval period different and strange (as in the outstanding Norwegian film, Second Sight/Trollsyn from 1994). Kristin is essentially a slow, whining Victorian bodice-ripper in medieval drag, and should be avoided at all costs.
Rating: 
Summary: A complicated Masterpiece
Review: As a historian specifically focused on the 14th century, I loved the historical detail of this movie. The looms, shoes, clothing, all struck me as a lot of effort gone into something that most people might miss. The whole movie has been made with that kind of care; the story is quite complex, though the small details may be lost on many who focus on the more obvious aspects of the tale.
I cannot watch the last scenes without getting teary-eyed and I am not an emotional sort. Rarely has a movie shown the naked truth of humanity, with folly, passion, misunderstandings, and sheer confusion, with such compassion.
Rating:
Summary: For Norwegians and Historians ... it is necessary!
Review: How often have you seen a movie based on a book and been disappointed that the characters were not at all like you imagined them? Have no fear that this video will disappoint in that manner. Kristin, Erlend, Lavrans, and the rest seem like old acquaintances. This is a movie that packs an emotional wallop just as did the book. The subtitles are very easy to read, something not always true of foreign films. There are a few incidents that will be confusing to anyone who has not read the book, and there are some omissions, e.g. Kristin's youngest sister isn't mentioned. But that's a minor point in a movie that is so faithful to the book. I hope that the rest of the trilogy will find its way into the movies, but I understand that Liv Ullmann is not planning to continue with the rest of the story.
Rating:
Summary: The characters are exactly like those in the novel.
Review: How often have you seen a movie based on a book and been disappointed that the characters were not at all like you imagined them? Have no fear that this video will disappoint in that manner. Kristin, Erlend, Lavrans, and the rest seem like old acquaintances. This is a movie that packs an emotional wallop just as did the book. The subtitles are very easy to read, something not always true of foreign films. There are a few incidents that will be confusing to anyone who has not read the book, and there are some omissions, e.g. Kristin's youngest sister isn't mentioned. But that's a minor point in a movie that is so faithful to the book. I hope that the rest of the trilogy will find its way into the movies, but I understand that Liv Ullmann is not planning to continue with the rest of the story.
Rating:
Summary: Please do not print my review previously submitted:7/8/99
Review: I submitted a review that I wish to decline having printed
Rating:
Summary: Superlative film adaption of the first of a trilogy!
Review: If you loved ready the Nobel Prize winning Kristin Lavransdatter, you will luxuriate in this wonderful film adaptation by Liv Ullman of the first book of the trilogy, the Bridal Wreath. The photography helps create an authenthic feel for medieval Norway, and the actors bring to life Sigrid Undset's masterpiece. At last the video has arrived!
Rating:
Summary: One of the ten best films of the Nineties !
Review: Liv Ullman an authentic icon about performance concerns , directed this superb film adapted from the homonymous novel of Sigrid Unset.
At the early years of XIV Century in Gudbrand Valley , Norwegian , Kristin is educated to preserve the name and the honor of the family and accepts with any trouble , the decision of her father to a marry engagement her with Simon Darre , the son of another landowner . But you know there are terrible forces through a chain of events which will lead her to a convent . Eventually she will fall in love with Eralend Nikulausson , the consummate seductor and father of three sons .
Filmed with a discrete sumptuosity and illuminated by Sven Nykvist and even you will beware the tremendous influence of previous Bergman films , the movie maintains its dramatic cohesion and expressive force .
Winner of the special Grand Prix of the Americas in Montreal and Grand Norwegian Critics in Haugesund .
Rating: 
Summary: Bergmanesque tale of love
Review: Loving the complex tapestries of a woman's life in the novel, I was gravely disappointed in the film.
The novel's complex theme--of how sexual passion and personal choices complicate the clear lessons of logic and religion, but in the end point to a higher meaning-- are degraded into a tale of sexual repression and lust in a harsh and unforgiving land.
This might be a forgivable simplification, but for the problem of miscasting.
The Clintonesque Erland, who is brave and charming to all women but lacks depth of character, has little similarity to the dull and not very handsome lover in the film.
Similarly, the klutzy but faithful fiance is shown in the film as a handsome charming fellow, making one wonder what got into the girl to reject him. However, I must say my daughter in law, who does not know the novels, enjoyed this greatly. If you like Bergman, buy the film. If you like Undset, forget it.
Rating:
Summary: pompous, boring, inauthentic
Review: Scandal, shame, and destruction beset the beautiful Kristin Lavransdatter when she rejects her father's arranged marriage for her and pursues a romance with the strapping young knight Erlend instead in this superbly produced film set in 14th-century Norway. A superbly crafted film, Kristin Lavransdatter is directed by Liv Ullman, a protege of the late master filmmaker Ingmar Bergman. Full color, 180 minutes, English Subtitles, 2 video cassette boxed set. Also highly recommended for personal, film school, and public library video collections are the Home Vision Cinema video editions of Liv Ullman's Private Confessions; and Ingmar Bergman's Scenes From A Marriage; Autumn Sonata; Cries And Whispers.
Rating:
Summary: A "must" for all Liv Ullman fans.
Review: Scandal, shame, and destruction beset the beautiful Kristin Lavransdatter when she rejects her father's arranged marriage for her and pursues a romance with the strapping young knight Erlend instead in this superbly produced film set in 14th-century Norway. A superbly crafted film, Kristin Lavransdatter is directed by Liv Ullman, a protege of the late master filmmaker Ingmar Bergman. Full color, 180 minutes, English Subtitles, 2 video cassette boxed set. Also highly recommended for personal, film school, and public library video collections are the Home Vision Cinema video editions of Liv Ullman's Private Confessions; and Ingmar Bergman's Scenes From A Marriage; Autumn Sonata; Cries And Whispers.
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