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Poster for Pelle the Conqueror

Pelle the Conqueror

Seen it?

1987 | 157 min | Drama

Saturday Specialearly rating

Why it’s a Saturday Special

It won an Oscar and it earned strong reviews (84% on Rotten Tomatoes), despite soft box office. A strong pick for the weekend.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for anyone who loves a strong drama. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood
Thoughtful and character-driven.
The pace
Unhurried and epic, at 2 hr 37 min.
What might put you off
  • It's long: 2 hr 37 min.
  • It's in Danish, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
  • Audiences were cooler on it than critics.

In the late 19th century, two Swedish emigrants, Lasse Karlsson and his son Pelle, arrive on the Danish island of Bornholm hoping to find work on a farm and save enough money to travel to the United States of America.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsStrong

    84% on Rotten Tomatoes

  • AudiencesSolid

    7.3 out of 10

  • AwardsVery strong

    Won 1 Oscar: Best International Feature Film. Won 1 Golden Globe: Best Non-English Language Film. Won 1 Cannes award: Palme d'Or. Also nominated for 1 more Oscar and 1 BAFTA. Plus 9 other awards.

  • Box office & staying powerBelow par

    $5 million worldwide; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactBelow par

    About 40K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Bille August

  • Pelle HvenegaardPelle Karlsson
  • Max von SydowLasse Karlsson - Farmhand
  • Erik PaaskeStengården Foreman
  • Björn GranathErik - Swedish Farm Worker
  • Astrid VillaumeMrs. Kongstrup
  • Axel StrøbyeKongstrup - Kungsgården Landlord
  • Troels AsmussenRud - A Boy
  • Kristina TörnqvistAnna - Stengården Maid
  • Karen WegenerMadam Olsen
  • Sofie GråbølMiss Sine - Mrs. Kongstrup's Niece