Kristin Lavransdatter

Rating:
Summary: The film captures the essence of Undset and medieval Norway.
Review: The 1995 International award winning film, Kristin Lavransdatter, captures the essence of Nobel prize winner Sigrid Undset's awesome depiction of medieval Norway during the struggle between paganism and Christianity. Director Ullman, the actors, and the photographers, remove the barriers between the llth century and modern viewers. Every range of human emotion is movingly experienced. The film became even more powerful for me traveling through the beautiful Gulbrandensdalen Valley in Norway, walking through the house and the Nidadros Cathedral film settings, and finally touching the exquisite and richly colored fabrics of the costumes on permanent display. I ordered videos for gifts to hometown libraries.

Rating:
Summary: For Norwegians and Historians ... it is necessary!
Review: The author, Sigrid Undset, has captured the life of medieval Scandinavia so powerfully that she became the recipient of the first woman's Nobel Prize in Literature for this work of the highest art. Director, Liv Ullman brought thhe exquisite, earthy, Kristen out of a literature class and into our living rooms in a way that is larger than life.. Magnificent. I am making my fourth purchase to donate to a library.

Rating:
Summary: A Sad Disappointment
Review: The Norwegian landscapes are beautiful in this movie. Other than that, I don't have much good to say about it. If I hadn't already read the books, I would have found this movie utterly impossible to follow. Characters were not developed in the slightest, and key details were omitted, making it difficult to understand what all the fuss and scandal is about. For instance, Kristin's fiance is furious because her lover takes her to a brothel. However, the average viewer would not know why Simon is so angry that Erlend took her to this particular house. The movie never says what it is. Every so often a random scene is thrown in with no explanation, adding to the confusion. Luckily, I watched the movie with my friend who had also read the book, and has spent a year in Norway. We spent the 2 1/2 hours making fun of the silly translations, the overly dramatic acting style, and the fact that Erlend looks like Chuck Norris with dark shaggy hair. Skip the movie. Spend the money buying the book and then hope that somebody makes a better version of this one.

Rating:
Summary: A Sad Disappointment
Review: The Norwegian landscapes are beautiful in this movie. Other than that, I don't have much good to say about it. If I hadn't already read the books, I would have found this movie utterly impossible to follow. Characters were not developed in the slightest, and key details were omitted, making it difficult to understand what all the fuss and scandal is about. For instance, Kristin's fiance is furious because her lover takes her to a brothel. However, the average viewer would not know why Simon is so angry that Erlend took her to this particular house. The movie never says what it is. Every so often a random scene is thrown in with no explanation, adding to the confusion. Luckily, I watched the movie with my friend who had also read the book, and has spent a year in Norway. We spent the 2 1/2 hours making fun of the silly translations, the overly dramatic acting style, and the fact that Erlend looks like Chuck Norris with dark shaggy hair. Skip the movie. Spend the money buying the book and then hope that somebody makes a better version of this one.

Rating:
Summary: If you love the book, you'll like the movie
Review: There are hardly any books which can compare to a book; this is about as close as it gets. I first saw it in the theater, and I thought then (as I do now) that this is just an excellent film because it is so close to the book and because them actors are so into it.

Rating:
Summary: Visually enchanting-emotionally gripping
Review: This is one of the most beautiful films I have ever seen. It deals with family loyalty and love of a young woman. Photography is splendid.

Rating:
Summary: Not To Be Missed
Review: You might think, "what, three hours for a movie set in medieval times, how boring!"... Don't let that keep you from seeing this masterpiece, you will be drawn into the life of the characters, especially if you've enjoyed reading the books (I read them every year). Unfortunately, Liv Ullman had tremendous trouble with the distributors of this film, and they forced her to cut many scenes and events, and she vowed she would not film the sequels. What a shame, because the characters develop in such a profound way in the books, including Simon, Kristin's first fiancé, who is barely present in the movie. So do see the movie, but you'll get more out of the movie if you also read the unforgettable book on which the movie is based.

Rating:
Summary: Not To Be Missed
Review: You might think, "what, three hours for a movie set in medieval times, how boring!"... Don't let that keep you from seeing this masterpiece, you will be drawn into the life of the characters, especially if you've enjoyed reading the books (I read them every year). Unfortunately, Liv Ullman had tremendous trouble with the distributors of this film, and they forced her to cut many scenes and events, and she vowed she would not film the sequels. What a shame, because the characters develop in such a profound way in the books, including Simon, Kristin's first fiancé, who is barely present in the movie. So do see the movie, but you'll get more out of the movie if you also read the unforgettable book on which the movie is based.

Rating:
Summary: Not To Be Missed
Review: You might think, "what, three hours for a movie set in medieval times, how boring!"... Don't let that keep you from seeing this masterpiece, you will be drawn into the life of the characters, especially if you've enjoyed reading the books (I read them every year). Unfortunately, Liv Ullman had tremendous trouble with the distributors of this film, and they forced her to cut many scenes and events, and she vowed she would not film the sequels. What a shame, because the characters develop in such a profound way in the books, including Simon, Kristin's first fiancé, who is barely present in the movie. So do see the movie, but you'll get more out of the movie if you also read the unforgettable book on which the movie is based.