Pelle the Conqueror
A Swedish father and his young son endure poverty, prejudice, and brutal farm labor while trying to build a future in Denmark.
Overview
A poignant journey of a father and son seeking a better life amidst hardship and prejudice.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Mild
- melancholic
- harrowing
- intimate
- reflective evening
- historical drama night
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film’s detailed period reconstruction, stark landscapes, and especially the powerful performances of Max von Sydow and Pelle Hvenegaard, while noting occasional sentimentality and unevenness.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Pelle’s development unfolds through farm labor, bullying, prejudice, and encounters with unequal authority.
The Danish island landscape is repeatedly contrasted with impoverished farm life and exhausting labor.
Lasse and Pelle leave Sweden for Denmark and face anti-immigrant prejudice while working as farm laborers.
The film’s critical reception repeatedly highlights its uncluttered depiction of harsh impoverished lives and Max von Sydow’s wrenching simplicity.
Films like Pelle the Conqueror, and why
The Emigrants
period immigrant labor drama centered on poverty, family survival, and class hierarchy
The White Ribbon
historical coming-of-age drama portraying working-class hardship with restrained emotional power
The Tree of Wooden Clogs
sweeping literary drama about childhood, poverty, and resilience in a harsh social order
The Best Intentions
Nordic historical drama combining intimate family struggle with stark rural landscapes
Movie Details
- Director
- Bille August
- Release Date
- 1987-12-21
- Runtime
- 157 min
- Rating
- 7.3 / 10 (169)
Cast
- Pelle Hvenegaard
- Max von Sydow
- Erik Paaske
- Björn Granath
- Astrid Villaume
- Axel Strøbye
- Troels Asmussen
- Kristina Törnqvist
- Karen Wegener
- Sofie Gråbøl
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Viaplay Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Pelle the Conqueror about?
- A Swedish father and his young son endure poverty, prejudice, and brutal farm labor while trying to build a future in Denmark.
- What is Pelle the Conqueror like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Pelle the Conqueror as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Pelle the Conqueror violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Pelle the Conqueror as mild.
- What did critics think of Pelle the Conqueror?
- Critics broadly praised the film’s detailed period reconstruction, stark landscapes, and especially the powerful performances of Max von Sydow and Pelle Hvenegaard, while noting occasional sentimentality and unevenness.
- Which films are like Pelle the Conqueror?
- Films with a similar feel include The Emigrants, The White Ribbon, The Tree of Wooden Clogs, and The Best Intentions.
- How long is Pelle the Conqueror?
- Pelle the Conqueror runs 157 minutes.
- Where can I watch Pelle the Conqueror?
- In United States, Pelle the Conqueror streams on Viaplay Amazon Channel.
