Cinema
Sir Arne's Treasure
Herr Arnes pengar
Mauritz Stiller · 1919
Synopsis
Sixteenth century, on the west coast of Sweden. Three Scottish mercenaries, imprisoned for a plot against the king, escape. One night, they break into the house of the wealthy herr Arne, kill the entire household, carry off the chest and set fire to the parsonage. Only Elsalill, the adopted daughter, survives. Having taken refuge in town, she meets one of the murderers without knowing who he is and becomes attached to him, while the ice holds in port the ship that is to take them back to Scotland.
Context
The film is based on a tale by Selma Lagerlöf published in 1903. The company Svenska Bio had bought a stage adaptation of the text as early as 1915, then abandoned the project; it acquired the rights only after an offer from Germany. The exteriors were shot at Lidingö, Furusund, Skutskär and in the Sollefteå region, with cinematography by Julius Jaenzon. The long procession of women on the ice, which closes the film, is one of the most famous images of Swedish cinema.
Who it is for
A silent film, with intertitles in Swedish. The long quotations from the source text slow the narrative at times.
Prizes and reception
One of the major films of the golden age of Swedish silent cinema, the one by which its director has remained known abroad.