Elvira Madigan

Starring:Pia Degermark, Thommy Berggren, Lennart Malmer, Cleo Jensen, Nina Widerberg, Yvonne Ingdal
Director: Bo Widerberg
Studio: Fox Lorber
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Amazon.com
The global art-house frenzy was in full swing when Elvira Madigan first made audiences swoon back in 1967. Set in an idyllic Danish forest in 1859 and loosely based on an actual double-suicide, this lushly photographed, quietly seductive film presents a richly romantic tragedy while suggesting that the most intense form of love resembles a kind of blissful insanity. The inseparable lovers in this case are a married Swedish army lieutenant named Sixten (Thommy Berggren) who's gone absent without leave, and the radiantly beautiful Elvira Madigan (Pia Degermark), a Danish tightrope walker who's abandoned her popular position in a traveling circus. Together they have no use for the distractions of the real world; they live only for each other, sharing simple pleasures, spontaneous intimacy, and a seemingly unlimited supply of wild berries, wine, and leisure time. As Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 21 dominates the soundtrack, Sixten and Elvira chase butterflies (and each other) through a peaceful meadow, at which point the movie practically oozes with romantic perfection. (When most people think of "art-house" movies of the 1960s, they're most likely thinking of movies such as this--although the lovemaking here is nothing if not tamely discreet.)

Swedish director Bo Widerberg wrote, directed, and edited this film and makes full use of Jorgen Persson's soft, sensual cinematography. Though its plot is almost nonexistent, the film is arrestingly beautiful and the almost-too-attractive actors bring naturalness and depth to their performances, elevating this tale of doomed love above the level of gushy sentiment. For all of its surface appeal, Elvira Madigan is an intelligent film, and Widerberg builds toward genuine tragedy without compromising the dream-like idealism of Sixten and Elvira's unconditional love. Widerberg also inserts a few hints of casual irony, as when Elvira sells a portrait of herself that was drawn by a "cripple" at a cafe in Paris; neither she nor the pawnshop owner recognizes the artist's signature as that of Toulouse-Lautrec! These little grace notes enhance this otherwise lightweight film, and while the tragedy never achieves Shakespearean proportions, this is nevertheless an alluring, introspective portrait of romance at its most sublimely emotional extreme. --Jeff Shannon

Elvira Madigan
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Elvira Madigan

ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B000BCC82U

Product Description

Editorial Review The global art-house frenzy was in full swing when Elvira Madigan first made audiences swoon back in 1967. Set in an idyllic Danish forest in 1859 and loosely based on an actual double-suicide, this lushly photographed, quietly seductive film presents a richly romantic tragedy while suggesting that the most intense form of love resembles a kind of blissful insanity. The inseparable lovers in this case are a married Swedish army lieutenant named Sixten (Thommy Berggren) who's gone absent without leave, and the radiantly beautiful Elvira Madigan (Pia Degermark), a Danish tightrope walker who's abandoned her popular position in a traveling circus. Together they have no use for the distractions of the real world; they live only for each other, sharing simple pleasures, spontaneous intimacy, and a seemingly unlimited supply of wild berries, wine, and leisure time. As Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 21 dominates the soundtrack, Sixten and Elvira chase butterflies (and each other) through a peaceful meadow, at which point the movie practically oozes with romantic perfection. (When most people think of "art-house" movies of the 1960s, they're most likely thinking of movies such as this--although the lovemaking here is nothing if not tamely discreet.) [Amazon - Jeff Shannon] ++++ DVD FEATURES: This officially licensed release from South Korea is NTSC Region 0 All-Region and will play world-wide. It provides Academy Standard NTSC 4:3 Full Screen display and Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono Sound. The film is in Swedish with optional (removable) English and Korean subtitles available.

Average customer rating:

A lesson about fantasy and reality
Elvira dies, the yellow dress lives on!
One of the most exquisite movies ever made !
unabashedly romantic ... an old fashioned valentine
In Praise Of Love: Perfect For Valentines

Elvira Madigan
Starring: Pia Degermark , Thommy Berggren , Lennart Malmer , Cleo Jensen , and Nina Widerberg
Director: Bo Widerberg
Manufacturer: Fox Lorber
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: 1572524391
Release Date: 1999-03-30

Amazon.com

The global art-house frenzy was in full swing when Elvira Madigan first made audiences swoon back in 1967. Set in an idyllic Danish forest in 1859 and loosely based on an actual double-suicide, this lushly photographed, quietly seductive film presents a richly romantic tragedy while suggesting that the most intense form of love resembles a kind of blissful insanity. The inseparable lovers in this case are a married Swedish army lieutenant named Sixten (Thommy Berggren) who's gone absent without leave, and the radiantly beautiful Elvira Madigan (Pia Degermark), a Danish tightrope walker who's abandoned her popular position in a traveling circus. Together they have no use for the distractions of the real world; they live only for each other, sharing simple pleasures, spontaneous intimacy, and a seemingly unlimited supply of wild berries, wine, and leisure time. As Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 21 dominates the soundtrack, Sixten and Elvira chase butterflies (and each other) through a peaceful meadow, at which point the movie practically oozes with romantic perfection. (When most people think of "art-house" movies of the 1960s, they're most likely thinking of movies such as this--although the lovemaking here is nothing if not tamely discreet.)

Customer Reviews:

A lesson about fantasy and reality.......2006-07-02

I saw this film once, in 1967 when it first came out, and I've never forgotten it. I was 21 years old, engaged, and totally enamored with love. The lovers were beautifully filmed, and their love was gloriously portrayed. But then reality intruded. Both the beauty of their love and the tragic ending have stayed with me - running through the grass chasing butterflies does not pay the bills or fill your growling belly; having a realistic plan for your life does that. It does not matter if you are gorgeous and madly in love, you can't avoid needing to work, face responsibility, and survive. I can't say that I always took the film's message to heart, but in the 40 years hence I have nonetheless reminded myself of it many times over. My 1967 love didn't last - reality intervened - but my second has lasted for 35 years. We mainly strool through the grass now, but we evolved from chasing butterflies by basing our love on its reality as well as its fantasy.

Elvira dies, the yellow dress lives on!.......2006-01-30

Elvira Madigan may have not survived her summer of love, but her daffodil yellow dress obviously did. You know the dress I'm talking about? The one that she wore throghout the movie. She rolled in the grass in it, she soaked in the rain. But there is not a stain, not a wrinkle on her dress. It remains perfectly fresh and smooth.

As for the love story, I can't say I was particularly moved. A sleazy soldier and a selfish showgirl - not exactly a sympathetic couple. But then again, I'm a cynical person, and I don't advocate "free love". When the two lovers killed themselves, I could only shrug my shoulders. Selfish romantics are usually self-destructive.

One of the most exquisite movies ever made !.......2004-11-07

The color photography is simply ravishing .The glorious love story is a portrait of a real event of 1900 between and officer and a circus artist .
One of the ten best romantic pictures ever made .
An artistic triumph for the swedish director Bo Widerberg and undoubtly his masterpiece.

unabashedly romantic ... an old fashioned valentine.......2004-07-28

This is the most //romantic// movie I've ever watched. The love scenes are tender and sensual without resorting to nudity. Elvira and Count Sixten Sparre's doomed affair (he's married with children) is captured in the lush colors and sounds (bees humming) of a Danish summer. Their acting is subtle, natural and restrained. And they're nice to look at too :) Elvira looks like an angel with her flowing yellow hair while Sixten's darker looks complement her.

The dialogue is wonderfully poignant. In one scene, Sixten tells his army friend, "I can't fight any more. I live in the women's world now." The friend admonishes him: "She's distorted your vision." Sixten replies: "Isn't that what love is? To see the world through another's eyes?" In another scene, the friend asks Elvira: "Are you happy? Because I know one ... two ... three people who aren't." He's referring to Sixten's wife and children. Elvira, beautiful and defiant, says "I need him too." Love it!!!

The foreshadowing is particularly effective.
Elvira and Sixten's picnic begins with laughter and high spirits, but then Elvira accidentally overturns the wine decanter. They both look at one another helplessly, aware of the omen. This romance is tame compared to today's standards as it contains mild kissing and very little else, but the smoldering fire between the leads will not disappoint you. I'll never forget this film!!!

In Praise Of Love: Perfect For Valentines.......2004-02-12

In 1967, the world was ready to accept the touching tragedy of Elvira Madigan, a Danish film presented to Americans via the art-house medium which was becoming popular. It was the 60's and the world was changing. In America, hippies advocated free love and rebelled against establishment and authorities they found stifling and oppressive, particularily because of disappointment and disillusion with the unfit government, they promoted the ideals of peace and love in a time of great violence- the Vietnam War. The romance of Elvira Madigan touched Americans at this time in much the same way that Zefferelli's Romeo and Juliet film did. In fact, at this time, such romantic films were popular. 1965 to 1969 saw The Sound Of Music and Doctor Zhivago make it big in the movies. This film is perfect for Valentine's Day. It's a period piece- set in 1859 and drawn from a true story but modernized to look 60's. The film stars Pia Degermark as the title heroine and Thommy Berggren as her lover, Sixten. The film has been criticized with the complaint that there is very little plot and that story is sacrificed by beautiful cinematography and visual scenery of the location- the countryside of Denmark. But there is a story. It's very easy to follow. Elvira Madigan, a tightrope walker from the circus, who is desired by many men (she might have been a courtesan) falls deeply in love with Sixten, an army officer or naval captain of some sort. Together, though their love is forbidden by society, they renounce the world and responsibility and run away together. They escape the authorities by hiding out in hotels and other spots. But in the end, they are nearly caught and there is no way out but suicide. They shoot themselves in the seclusion of the forest. The most remembered scene is the lovemaking- Sixten and Elvira eat a picnic al fresco in the country and make love in the grass. It's nothing pornographic or hardcore, in fact they're fully dressed and it's softcore but very romantic to watch. Enhancing the romance is Mozart's Piano Concerto 21 second movement andante, which was the love theme for the film.

The acting is satisfying for a story like this. Pia Degermark looks a bit like Julie Christie, a British actress who was popular at this time (she potrayed Lara in Doctor Zhivago, she appeared in Darling, a film about the swinging 60's London scene, and in historic epics as Far From The Maddening Crowd and The Go-Between). Thommy Bergren plays a fine handsome, heroic lead. It is the on-screen chemistry between the lovers that make the movie so successful. They are inseperable lovers who seem to come straight out of a 19th century novel. A great film, perfect to watch to get you in the mood for Valentine's Day.

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