Atreyu_II Sweden is known for its gorgeous landscapes, freezy weather and all that snow (very christmassy), for mythical music (thanks to legendary names such as ABBA, Ace of Base and Roxette), for producing some of the world's finest and safest cars (Volvo and Saab), for its beautiful women and for not having joined the Euro (a very right and clever decision), only to name a few examples.This is probably one of the most remembered Swedish films, particularly in its native country, where it is especially significant and even won awards. As to why it isn't in other places, I believe it has to do with people's general lack of knowledge on foreign cinema. People's obsession and fixation on American cinema surprises me, being such that they often forget that other countries and cultures have their own cinema. That can also be because there are so many really good movies that are hard to find and this is one of them.The cinematography on this is some of the most beautiful I've ever laid my eyes on. The story and pacing are practically perfect and the movie is touching. The dragon Katla looks hilariously dated and almost resembles one of those strange creatures from 'Star Wars'. Its animation is purely mechanical and would be considered by many as too crude for nowadays's ultra-demanding standards but was effective for its time and still is for those who don't care about progress. The soundtrack, especially the main theme, is somewhat odd but haunting.The main actors who portray the brothers are authentic. The younger is tenderly called "Skorpan" by the older. "Skorpan" means "Rusk", which has different meanings (apparently): a light, soft-textured sweetened biscuit; a sweet raised bread dried and browned in an oven.The story is about the Lionheart Brothers. "Skorpan" is very ill and won't live much longer, but his older brother Jonatan tries to calm him down and convince him that death might not be such a bad thing, as he will go to a beautiful place. Very shortly after, Jonatan dies while saving "Skorpan" from a house fire and "Skorpan" dies not long after. As promised by Jonatan, they meet in the beautiful land and "Skorpan" is strong and healthy. Together they go through moments of peace and tenderness, but they also face risky adventures and fight against evil knights to save the magnificent land.Technically the movie is distinguish and unique. What other movie has the sophisticated sepia-tone, bright colors and the classic black and white? And all in the same movie! You name me one which combines all these techniques.This should definitely be on Top 250.

chirolisa I saw this several times when I lived in Sweden. At first I really didn't "get" it. Then I sat down and read the book in Swedish and got so much more of the context. It still brings tears to my eyes. Beautifully acted, beautifully crafted, and showing so much of Swedish character/persona. What a great film. About the topic of death, it is handled in a way that Americans will find odd, unusual, heartfelt, not horribly pedagogical, certainly without a Hollywood influence. It truly is a different film, with adventure, heartstrings, and love (family, not romantic). Never has the dedication of siblings been so well demonstrated.

Mattias I think this film, and of course mainly the book by Astrid Lindgren, is one of the bravest children's movie I have ever seen. I remember as a child, seeing this film on video, and feeling totally absorbed with it, as I had never, until then, seen a movie that dealt with such issues for a child my age.Thoughts moving around life and death are issues that all kids are confronted with, and are issues which evokes questions in the minds of children. Many grown-ups are unable to handle questions from kids regarding death, in these cases I think this film is an exquisite piece of art.But of course the film is not all about death, it is also a movie about bravery, go about and dare to do what frightens you in life, and of course the life altering condition of love, the love between two brothers.It's interesting to hear how Lindgren imaginative work started for this book. She told a Swedish newspaper many years ago that it started out with her walking through a cemetery, which was something she liked to do, and seeing the grave of two brothers. Then a time after, that she attended a press conference for the casting of a film based on one of her books, after the press conference the leading actor (a seven-year old) walked down the stage and sat down in his older brothers knee and the older brother kissed him on the forehead, which was something she found very moving; by then she knew her next story was going to be about two brothers. The final imaginative episode was when she went with the train in northern Sweden, she told it as being a cold winter day, "a day when it was as beautiful as if it wasn't of this earth" by then she knew that the story was to involve the question of death, and a life after this.

bigdinosaur First: From a North American perspective, this is not a kids' movie. For three reasons: 1. The mood is far too depressing, 2. There is one apparently nude scene of the boys by the lake (although nothing is showing...this type of scene is more acceptable by Swedish standards), and 3. There is killing (by arrows, spears, burning...no gore however).Have you ever wanted to see a movie where the heroes die? Well, this is it. The Lionheart boys die...twice. It seems every time these boys die they go to a different world. The first time to Nangiola; and then at the end of the movie to Nangalima. Now if this movie were from Hollywood, I'd smell "sequel."The majority of the movie takes place in Nangiola, where Karl (Crispy) and Jonathan Lionheart help the good guys (the folks from cherry blossom valley & wild rose valley). They are fighting an evil warlord (Tingle) who...what else...wants to take over the whole place. Tingle just happens to have a dragon too...a sorry beast that looks more like a stuffed walrus on fire.This movie is a sorry mess. The music score is just plain dreadful. The acting...well...my dog is better. Were those kids wearing wigs? And effects?...what effects. They even tried (unsuccessfully) the old "Wizard of Oz" trick using sepia tone at the beginning and then changing to colour when the boys enter Nangiola. But those black capes worn by Tingle's bad guys which had purple linings were hilarious. This one gets a 2 out of 10.If you can find this movie, it's worth a laugh or two just for its weirdness. I actually found this one on a cheap DVD in Singapore...dubbed in English no less. (It might have been a bootleg! Naaa...nobody would bootleg such a bad movie!)