Cited by many as the most “personal” effort of Swedish filmmaker Arne Sucksdorff, The Great Adventure is also one of his few films to tie together its magnificent images with a dramatic narrative. “Adventure” means “life” to Sucksdorff, and that life is experienced by a group of Swedish farm children, two of whom are played by the director’s own sons. The kids save a wild otter from a hunter, then attempt to tame the animal. When spring comes, the children realize without remorse that the otter will be happier roaming free in the wilderness.
Director: Arne Sucksdorff. AKA The Great Adventure
Writer: Arne Sucksdorff.
Stars: Anders Nohrborg, Kjell Sucksdorff, Holger Stockman, Arne Sucksdorff, Amanda Haglund, Annika Ekedahl, Aina Fritzell, Stina Andersson, Erik Bodin, Sigvard Kihlgren, Tryggve Thyselius, Gunnar Sjöberg (voice).
1954 Cannes Film Festival – Winner Special Mention (for the direction).
1954 Cannes Film Festival – Winner International Prize.
1954 Cannes Film Festival – Nominated for the Grand Prize of the Festival.
1955 BAFTA Film Awards – Winner Best Documentary.
Terrific film! Thanks immensely, Jon!
Last time I have seen this was early 1970″s on the big screen. Excellent film. Thank you Jon
Just discovered your site, that’s great! <3
Too sad many of these are without any subtitles, but oh, well !
Anyway thank you very much for this one 🙂
More wilderness cinema, please!
Cheers from Italy .-)
Thank you so much! For decades, I have read comments on this work ( including Pauline kael’s glowing capsule review) and longed to see it. AT last, my dream is fulfilled, and the film certainly lives up to all the acclaim it has received. It is a subtle masterpiece of shimmering beauty, immense charm, and enormous poignancy. The struggles of the “ great adventure” of life for all creatures (including human beings) are captured without sentimentality. A flawless creation!