Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #57288 in DVD
• Released on: 1999-03-30
• Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Color, DVD, NTSC
• Original language: Swedish
• Subtitled in: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 90 minutes

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

Customer Reviews

The Masterpiece Of Romantic Foreign Film Tragedy
1967: This Danish film became an instant classic when it was released. The stunning film is best known for its beautiful cinematography, its classical music score and its simple but elegant tragic plot. It starred Pia Degermark, a blonde, blue-eyed willowy beauty who portrayed a late 19th century tight-rope walker, who abandoned her career in the circus to elope with her lover, an army officer. The love story is very simple, quite tragic, and full of sentimentality and melodrama that seems out of place in the 60's, but nostalgically recollects the milieu of the late 19th century.

The classical music score for the film included Mozart's piano concerto number 21, whose second movement is played almost ad nauseum in the film. It is a romantic, tender piece, expressive of a romance like that of the two lovers in this film. They share picnics in the outdoors, they make love al fresco, they seem to be inseperable. Mozart' piano concerto number 21 "andante" has in fact earned the concerto title of the "Elvira Madigan" concerto because of the success of this film. Other classical pieces include Vivaldi's Four Seasons, Chopin piano music and a JohannStrauss waltz.

Supposedly based on a true story, the lovers find that their union is illicit, and for political reasons, enemies of theirs want for them to part. The ending, in true tragic tradition, results in the suicide of the two lovers. Nonetheless, the haunting visuals, the beautiful music and everything abou this art-house legend makes Elvira Madigan truly worth getting on DVD.

Romance In The Countryside of Sweden....
This review refers to the Fox Lorber DVD edition of "Elvira Madigan"(World Class Cinema Collection)....

In this 19th century romantic/drama we find two lovers, seemingly without a care in the world,romping and playing in the beautiful forest and they are the focus of this Swedish gem. We soon learn they are escaping from their lives, and all they want is to be left alone, in their own world..one of love. He is deserting his post as an Army Lieutenant, she a young and beautiful famed tightrope walker.

Abandoning their families and careers,these romantics see nothing but the love and affection they share for each other. As the story progresses, and we are treated to some of the most gorgeuos photography throughout, their idyllic dreams begin to fall apart. Life on the run is not all they dreamed it would be for them. They are tired, hungry, and trying to avoid the world that is trying to find them.Eventually they must make a decision that has tragic consequences.

It's a beautiful, but tragic romance, not too far removed from "Romeo and Juliet" although may at times,seem a bit over the top and may remind you of those commercials, in slow motion with the lovers running into each others arms.It is however,a good story, well acted and directed,wonderful costumes, beautifully photographed, and with a great sound track including works from Mozart and Vilvaldi. From 1967,the director is expertly subtle and although these two lovers are often spontantious in their passion, you will know how they feel without the ususal R rated love scenes.

Just a beauty of a film, directed by Bo Widerberg and photographed by Jorgen Persson. The film and crew were nominated for several international awards and Pia Degermark(Elvira)won the hearts of the judges of the Cannes Film Festival(and may steal yours as well) and was awarded Best Actress.

It's a nice DVD as well. Letterboxed in what appears to be the academy ratio(1.33:1) it presents a very good picture. The exquiste cinematogrpahy of the fields, the forests and the countryside have beautiful colors. The film in Swedish will default to English subtitles, but you may delete them if you wish.(You don't see that choice too often). There are filmographies and awards and some production credits. The sound is in Stereo and is very good.

A nice addition to your romance or foreign film collection...enjoy.....Laurie

A stunningly beautiful film
When this film was originally released, it was called by many critics "possibly the most beautiful film ever made." It certainly ranks among the top few. Bo Widerberg's tale of a young circus performer who runs away with her married lover, a military officer, takes place during a golden summer in the late 19th century. Mozart's haunting background music (does anyone ever call it anything but the Elvira Madigan Theme now?) is the perfect background for the gorgeous cinematography-- a scene as ordinary as the hum of bees in a lush gold hayfield is only one of the frames that make you catch your breath at its astonishing beauty. Yet there is an underlying sense of impending tragedy that threads all through it, and winds its way to a heart-rending conclusion. This is a feast for the senses, a film that will always be a great classic of cinematography. END