Allan Edwall Movies
Supporting actor Allan Edwall is best-known for the small roles he played in some of Ingmar Bergman's films such as Fanny and Alexander (1982). Edwall also occasionally directed films like Ake and His World (1984). ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide- 1989
This big-budget animated feature from Sweden, drawing upon some of that country's best known performers, is a children's adventure story with a cautionary ecological theme. The director drew his inspiration from such diverse sources as The Tempest by William Shakespeare, Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe, and Machine Island, by ules Verne. In the story, Prospero has been exiled from his home, and is living on the island of Melonia with his daughter Miranda, an albatross named Ariel, and a fruit-monster called Caliban. Just as Caliban has finished creating something called "power soup" from the emanations of a local volcano, a crew of ne'er do wells crash-lands. They are from Plutonia, a polluted industrial planet given over to entirely to making weaponry, and they have come to steal Caliban's creation. Their plan is to take over the world Melonia is on and make it just as ugly as their own. Prospero and his kin band together to rescue the children on the industrial planet, who have been enslaved to work in the munitions factories, and at the same time put a stop to the evil plans of the Plutonians. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Allan Edwall, Robin Carlson, (more)
- 1987
In this children's adventure story, based on a beloved novel by Sigfrid Siwertz, three youngsters steal a small boat to play on Lake Malarn and soon capsize it. Later, they steal a larger boat and quickly discover that the lake is much larger than they had imagined. They learn about issues of survival and friendship, and a great deal of mysterious stuff happens while the adults in their world search frantically for them. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kristian Almgren
- 1984
Well-known Swedish author Astrid Lindgren (the "Pippi Longstocking" series) wrote the screenplay for this entertaining fantasy about Ronya, a 10-year-old girl (Hanna Zoetterberg) who lives quite happily in her father's castle and has no problems until she comes across Birk (Dan Hafström), a playmate encountered in the dark and fascinating forest near the castle. Birk and Ronya explore the wilderness with great courage and curiosity, braving the dangerous Witchbirds and Rump-Gnomes as they go along. But their respective families are angry when they find out the two children have been playing together, and they forbid them to see each other again. The fathers of Birk and Ronya are bitter enemies -- they are robber chieftains leading opposing forces. It will not be easy for the two spunky children to tear down the barriers that have kept their families apart for so long. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lena Nyman
- 1984
Pettersson (Stellan Skarsgård) and Bendel (Allan Edwall) (the latter a refugee from a Polish dictatorship, the former a confirmed amateur capitalist) get together in the big city to see what they can skim off the top and are successful until their luck changes and the two men are back on the bottom of the barrel again. One of the difficulties with this film is that it swings from restrained comic interludes to tragic events, and back -- while hewing to a predictable plot. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Stellan Skarsgård, Allan Edwall, (more)
- 1984
Ake and His World is a long, lyrical study of a Swedish country doctor of the 1930s. Ake is the doctor's six year old son, from whose point of view this film is told. Ake watches in innocent bemusement as his busy father weighs life and death issues on a daily basis. It's possible that this Swedish film bore a little influence on the 1991 American comedy My Girl (91), in which the young heroine's father is a mortician. Allan Edwall both wrote and directed this film, which was released in its native country as Ake og hans värld. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Martin Lindström, Loa Falkman, (more)
- 1983
Based on the lead actor's own novel, Limpan may take itself too seriously while proposing to be a comedic satire on the nature of bureaucracy. The basic story is that "Loafie" Lindberg Allan Edwall is an alcoholic who manages to escape from his treatment center, but when he changes his mind and wants to go back, the institution does not let him in because his re-entry does not follow established rules of procedure for admissions. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Allan Edwall, Börje Ahlstedt, (more)
- 1981
The title of this comedy is the first indication of the absurd: "sopor" means "trash" in Swedish and the acronym that is the film's title is playing with words to name a make-believe organization that stands up for the lowly or forgotten in society. About 1000 children of SOPOR unload from the subway one morning, march to the Royal Palace, and proceed to blithely take it over, holding the royal family up for a very reasonable ransom: they want the powers-that-be to reconsider their treatment of neglected or unpopular groups, like the elderly and in the case of this film, those who protest the development of nuclear power plants (a contemporary issue). Queen Sylvia (Gynet Movig), King Carl-Gustaf (Brasse Braennstroem), and Princess Victoria (Lena Nyman) are hostages who take kindly to the children's efforts, but given their status as royals, the best of Sweden's security police are out to free them by any devious means possible. This includes a security police chief launching into various character disguises and the opposition leader sweet-talking the children as only a politco with years of self-promotion can do. As broadly-painted characters from the government move in and out of the scenes, the spoof zeros in on real politicians. The satire does not bite lethally, and still leaves the audience something to chew on once the laughter has subsided. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Brasse Braennstrom, Grynet Molvig, (more)
- 1981
Cederkvist (Magnus Haerenstram) starts strutting around an all-women textile mill soon after he arrives as the regional "efficiency expert" determined to whip the plant into clock-work order and bed down whomever he can. (The time is WW II and all the men are apparently away fighting.) Naturally, neither his job nor his crass display of male foibles endears him to any of the young women at the plant - they loudly ignore him. Meanwhile, a crafty porter at a local hotel (Allan Edwall) has concocted a scheme to drum up some business - and his own take as a consequence. He loans Cederkvist a wood-burning 1931 Ford (a surprise to anyone not privy to car history), provides him a hotel room equipped with wine and music - and these three attributes are enough to overcome any bad impressions he created with the women at the plant. For reasons that are taken from some realm unknown to humankind, the attractive, well-endowed young woman jump enthusiastically into bed with this moron, after all, he has the right car (any car, in this case), a bottle of wine, and the latest top 10 releases. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Magnus Haerenstam, Allan Edwall, (more)
- 1981
Rasmus (Erik Lindgren) is a little orphan whose need for companionship leads him to seek the friendship of a hobo accordian player (Allan Edwall). The two hit it off quite well, and the hobo decides he has to somehow try to find a home for himself and the boy - though that does not look like a very viable option from the start. Side stories help fill in the three 25-minutes segments of this somewhat bland tale. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Erik Lindgren, Allan Edwall, (more)
- 1980
Seven year-old Maggie (Jonna Liljendahl) deals with life at home and school in this engaging children's comedy drama from the popular stories by Astrid Lindgren. Her father is an editor for the newspaper "The Workers' Herald," while her mother, sister, and kindly housekeeper all show their concern for the lovable moppet. The wife (Yvonne Lombard) of the local mayor is the villainess who is clearly headed for a fall by her telegraphed characterization. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- 1980
This farce cocerns Sweden's King Gustav (Per Oscarsson who plays all the lead roles). The royal monarchs of three major European countries are patiently or not-so-patiently hovering on the sidelines while watching the future King Gustav closely. No single king appears to possess the brains he was born with, so history seems to be made by default, as it were. Gustav does blunder around, but not enough to miss being crowned king. As a result, France, England, and Germany invade Sweden hoping to take by force what they could not gain by incompetence. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Per Oscarsson, Ernst Gunther, (more)
- 1977
In this story, a 7-year old boy, named for the King of Rock 'n Roll by his fanatical mother, has trouble communicating with everyone but his grandparents. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lele Dorazio, Lena-Pia Bernhardsson, (more)
- 1977
In this romantic drama, Arvid (Stefan Ekman) works at a newspaper in turn-of-the-century Sweden. In no rush to marry, his puts off his beloved Lydia's pleas for an engagement. She marries someone else, and he decides to marry for money. Some years later, Arvid sees Lydia at a performance of the opera and the two try to rekindle their love. They soon see that their moment has passed. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Stefan Ekman, Allan Edwall, (more)
- 1977
This lavish period piece was filmed throughout Denmark, Sweden and Finland, and is based on a children's book by Astrid Lindgren. "Lionheart" refers not to the "Richard" variety, but to the Lion brothers: two boys who suffered illness and poverty in Stockholm in 1910. They are reunited after death to become tireless do-gooders. In the name of their imprisoned leader Orvar, the ghostly Lions fight side by side against oppression in the Middle Ages. Parents, take heart: the spectral brothers' battles won't be terribly fierce, since the film carries a "G" rating. Steffan Gotestam and Lars Soderdahl star in The Brothers Lionheart, which overcomes a slow beginning with a rousing finale. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Staffan Götestam, Lars Söderdahl, (more)
- 1969
In this dark, foreboding sea story, a veteran sea captain abducts his niece for what he believes is his last chance at love. As the sad demon of the ocean Klabautermanden watches the passing of doomed ships, the niece awakens in her uncle's cabin. She makes him marry her but never allows the tyrannical captain to ever touch her. For eight years, the ship never docks as the malnourished crew wishes for death. The woman has a child by another man and the captain watches in horror as she makes friends easily while he is reviled by his superstitious crew. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lise Fjeldstad, Claus Nissen, (more)
- 1966
Based on Eyvind Johnson's book Romanen om Olof, Here's Your Life is an epic drama considered a masterpiece in Sweden. Filmed in widescreen with black-and-white and color film stocks, it was released in 1966 in Sweden with a three-hour running time. In 1968, it was cut down considerably for the U.S. release. Set at the turn of the 20th century, Olof Persson (Eddie Axberg) grows up in the small village of Norrland. He tries to escape his hometown and become a writer. Max Von Sydow appears as Smalands-Pelle, a family friend who offers Olof a job. Eventually the young man grows into adulthood and discovers politics, sex, and the cinema. Also starring Gudrun Brost, Bo Wahlstrom, and Gunnar Bjornstrand. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Eddie Axberg, Ulla Sjöblom, (more)
- 1965
Although shown at the 1965 Moscow Film Festival as an entry from Norway, this gang-directed effort came from four different countries. From Sweden, "Stop At Murlande" is directed by Jan Troell and stars Max Von Sydow. "The Summer War" from Denmark is directed by Palle Kjaerulff-Schmidt. From FInland comes "Why" directed by Maunu Kurkvaara. The final entry "The Girl With A White Ball" is directed by Rolf Clemens from Norway. Highlights are the acting of Von Sydow as a railroad worker who quits his job to enjoy the wonders of nature. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Max von Sydow, Allan Edwall, (more)
- 1964
What is so rare, and cherishable, as an Ingmar Bergman comedy? All These Women concerns the sexual misadventures of cello-playing Jarl Kulle. Amidst his many romantic pursuits, the egotistical Kulle endeavors to get his life story published, "bribing" a writer by agreeing to perform the latter's musical compositions. Bergman regulars Eva Dahlbeck, Harriet Andersson and Bibi Andersson costar in All These Women, while the screenplay was cowritten by another stalwart member of the director's stock company, Erland Josephson. Originally titled For Att Inte Talla om alla dessa Kvindor, All These Women is better known in English-speaking countries as Now About All These Women. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bibi Andersson, Carl Billquist, (more)
- 1962
In this Scandinavian melodrama, a Swedish lieutenant journeys to a lonely island off the coast of Lapland for a summer of badly needed rest and relaxation. Once there, the soldier rents a hunting lodge from an aging local. Soon he encounters his landlord's lovely daughter who, while finding the stranger attractive, is put off by her innate distrust of men. With patience, he shows that men can indeed be trusted; he also introduces her to love. Unfortunately, the girl gets quite jealous when her father's lovely mistress also begins flirting with the stranger. The father is an abusive and jealous man; he cannot help but notice that his formerly passive daughter and mistress have begun standing up to him. To get even, he sends for the wealthy baron who once courted his daughter. He then informs his daughter that her lover, the soldier, has also been carrying on with his mistress. The lass disbelieves him until she sees the truth for herself, and the utterly distraught young woman agrees to marry the baron. The father then makes a play for his former mistress who spurns him and flees into the snowy mountains. It is an unfortunate coincidence that the soldier should choose that time to fire a signal shot to his lover, for his gun triggers off a deadly avalanche that sweeps the hapless mistress to her doom. The father goes mad with grief and burns down his hunting lodge. Later the lieutenant tries to smooth it all over with the daughter, but she is disconsolate and rejects him. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jarl Kulle, Bibi Andersson, (more)
- 1962
The Winter Light is the second in a trilogy of dramas by acclaimed Swedish director Ingmar Bergman that explores religious faith and doubts in a visceral, visual, and provocative manner. The first, Through a Glass Darkly, was an international success and heralded this new phase in the director's career. This compelling drama is set within a three-hour period on a Sunday afternoon in November, and begins when the local pastor, Tomas Ericsson (Gunnar Bjornstrand), is finishing his sermon. As of late, Pastor Ericsson has watched his congregation dwindle to a minimal level. Among the remaining parishioners is
Marta (Ingrid Thulin) a plain-looking schoolteacher who has long been in love with the pastor. Meanwhile, fisherman Jonas (Max von Sydow) is anxiety-ridden over the nuclear power of the Communist Chinese, but Pastor Ericsson cannot help him, saddled with some overwhelming spiritual dilemmas of his own. As Ericsson struggles with his demons and faces Marta's unwanted (and to him, repugnant) romantic attentions, some hints of the qualities of God begin to surface. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
Marta (Ingrid Thulin) a plain-looking schoolteacher who has long been in love with the pastor. Meanwhile, fisherman Jonas (Max von Sydow) is anxiety-ridden over the nuclear power of the Communist Chinese, but Pastor Ericsson cannot help him, saddled with some overwhelming spiritual dilemmas of his own. As Ericsson struggles with his demons and faces Marta's unwanted (and to him, repugnant) romantic attentions, some hints of the qualities of God begin to surface. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ingrid Thulin, Gunnar Björnstrand, (more)
- 1960
Acceding to the literal interpretation of the folk-saying "A virgin is a sty in the devil's eye," Satan employs a reincarnated Don Juan (Jarl Kulle) to seduce Britt-Marie, the young daughter (Bibi Andersson) of a country parson. Poor Don Juan falls in love with the girl, however, while his servant Pablo (Sture Lagerwall) attempts to do the same with her mother. One of Bergman's few direct comedies (he even reassures viewers of the fact in a note titled "Dear Frightened Audience"), Devil's Eye also harks back to his stage experience by appearing in separate acts--with introductions by Gunnar Bjornstrand. The film is available in two video versions: subtitled and dubbed. ~ John Bush, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bibi Andersson, Jarl Kulle, (more)
