Kristinus Bergman

This is the best film from directors Astrid and Bjarne Henning-Jensen backed by moody cinematography from Annelise Reenberg, a film director in her own right. The performance of Ebbe Rode is absolutely brilliant as one of the two earlier orphan boys being abused in their childhood starting them off on a path of criminal activities also presented during the run of the film. The atmosphere and chilly mood is as impressive as in any foreign film noir production, and the movie has little of the warmness and acceptance you normally expect from Danish films. There is an irony and black humor shining through, but no sentimentality as to the cause of the two criminals' destiny. Nevertheless it is clear that their fate is closely knitted to an upbringing without warmth and care, and the hard fate of children growing up was a social background perfect for the directors to carry forth, also shown in other films from their able hands.