Arn

The miniseries reviewed here is actually a compilation of two feature length movies, which were very successful in Scandanavia, and as a result of that success, were shown on television in the form of a six-part miniseries. But the running time is pretty close to identical. The two films, minus opening and closing credits, run about 257 minutes; each episode (there are six) runs about 43 minutes, minus opening and closing credits, for a total of 258 minutes. So the reason it looks like a feature film is because it IS a feature film.

As to the content, it's a love story, but the lovers are divided by war and circumstance, so the bulk of it is devoted to how they cope even though they are divided. I thought the two leads had marvelous rapport (the two actors actually were in drama school together, and have acted together many times, on film and on stage), and I found their devotion to one another to be wholly believable. Of course, you have to remember that these were very different times. As the author of the original novels has said, this was an age of faith, and that extended to the faith that the lovers had in each other. Ours is a secular age, and so in order to fully enjoy the films, you have to be able to make a leap of faith, to believe that two people could love each other that much. I guess I'm a sucker for a good romance.

But don't go to this series or film expecting a re-run of "Kingdom of Heaven"; it's set in the same time and place, and covers some of the same historical events. The tone and feeling of the film, however, is very different. If it is an epic, and I'm not sure it is or was ever intended to be, it is what might be called an intimate epic. As with "Dr Zhivago," to some extent, history is the enemy of these two, and it constitutes a force that is very difficult to deal with. I can say no more without spoilers, but rest assured, all is not gloom and doom for these two.

I think I partly understand what the film makers tried to do here, but it's nearly impossible to fit 3 books (with a lot of content) in 4,5 h and not make it feel cramped. I like the costume and the scenery and the acting is pretty good. However, it feels like this series missed the very core of the story, which to me is 1) the impact of religion on the characters and society 2) the huge changes in the Northern society which took place during this time. These are the very themes that made the books interesting.

When it comes to religion, I would have loved to see more about the cultural and religious differences and how religion may lead to both demise and growth. For example when it comes to the relationship between Arn and the Saracens, which I think they depicted pretty good with the little screen time they got, but they left out so many important things. I also missed Arns early relationship with the monks at the monastery, and all he learnt there, since these were the relationships that shaped his whole being. It feels like they just rushed through this part, like it's not that important to the character and story.

Another important thing that they almost completely left out is the very main thing about Arn, what makes him both interesting and special: how he, wherever he goes, always is viewed as an outsider, someone who's weird and doesn't fit in (even in his own family). He constantly needs to prove himself and he always manages to prove people wrong. This important key character feature is barely shown in the series.

Moreover, I don't understand why they left out all the important work and influence Arn had on society, like making his home Arnäs the strongest fort in the country, building Forsvik and bringing home crucial war knowledge. (In reality I understand this is fictional, but it's such an excellent representation of how the Northern society grew and evolved at this time).

Another thing I have a hard time accepting is that none of the characters seem to age. They look exactly the same when they're 17 and when they're 50. It's awkward when the parents almost look the same age as their child. I understand that the budget might have been tight or that it's hard to change actors when jumping forward in time 5 years at a time, but at least give them grey hair or something. This might seem like a trifle, but it really ruins the feel and the actuality of the story.

All together the story is so pushed together you never have time to feel for or connect with the characters. It's sad cause these are complex and interesting characters and I really think the actors would've given them credit. Everything happens so fast. The first time I saw it I hadn't read the books and I had a really hard time keeping up with what was happening, with the rivalry between the different houses, who was connected to who, where we are in time and place and so on.

With all of this said, I think it's wonderful that Swedish film makers took the step and did this kind of project, which had never been done before in the country in the same scale. Even if there's so much I think it's lacking it's not a poorly made production and it's not a bad series all together. I think there's a lot of effort behind it. However, I think they should've waited until they had a bigger budget and preferably make it into 1 movie/book, which is usually standard and is also ideal when following the original story's dramaturgical curve. Then I think they would've had the opportunity to include all of the important factors and key elements that make this story so excellent.

The transition of language is excellent. The scenery is sublime. The story in the mini series is far more exploratory than the film.

Like Kingdom of Heaven, the director cut explains a lot more and helps keep the loose ends together.

The mix of international actors is excellent. Moving story in many aspects.

If you're not moved by the storyline.

As a young boy I wanted to see more knights on TV, but the only time you ever saw them was when one of the classic Hollywood films dealing with the middle ages came on. Occasionally someone would pay homage to the medieval genre, but little else. In the 90s I thought of doing a short film, but I had no access to props. Come 2005, and my hopes are re-sparked to do a short film, but six years later, with my reputation hopelessly smashed, and finances all but ruined, I'll have to bow to someone else.

And so they did. Only the country wasn't the US nor the UK, but Sweden of all places. The one country known for symbolic avant garde cinema, brings us a mainstream historical epic, completely with charges and clashing of armies in both the frozen north and in the heated wastes of the arid Holy Land.

Arn, raised by priests and monks, is challenged with events beyond his control, and that put him in the midst of a cultural clash he'd just assume forget. His beloved is likewise castigated as socially unacceptable, and also suffers a similar emotional fate.

This is a hard story about hard times in human history. It's almost a template of how true human love could not endure nor blossom at this point in history. And, true to Scandinavian form, there is much angst and weighty emotional stuff pervading the film.

There are two real problems with this "TV Series". The first is that it's shot like a feature film all the way through. Each shot is given care and weight as if the entire thing were going to be shown in one sitting. Second; this, along with the fact that it's a history piece, probably sent the budget skyrocketing (at least by the standards of European film interests) creating sets and costumes, as well as purchasing and renting animals and locations to bring not only medieval Sweden to life, but also Jersalem during the middle ages.

So, was it worth it? Well, you'd have to ask the investors who backed this project. You probably also know that Ridley Scott's "Kingdom of Heaven" came out before this film was released, but, from all accounts, it would seem the Swedish film was planned long before then, yet had trouble getting off the ground.

The story is solid, as are the production values, but the film lacks majesty and genuine intimacy. The length of the series seems to be an attempt to make up for that, but quantity can only substitute for so much quality. With all of the sets, costumes, panoramic vistas, throngs of medieval peasants and warriors alike of both sides of the Christian cross and Islamic crescent, there's a lack of genuine intimacy.

Arn and Cecile may be in love, but their chemistry is about as reactionary as a vat of water molecules and carbon. It ain't there. At least not genuinely. One doesn't get the sense that Arn longs for Cecile, nor Cecile for Arn. In the entire expanse of six hours plus of drama, what we're left with is a satisfying sense of emptiness, topped with a sense of marginal disappointment.

The one thing that it has over Scott's "Kingdom of Heaven" is that there is a sense of purpose there. There is a sense of something that's driving the story forward and needing to be done. Arn needs to get back to Cecile. But, beyond that, the film is essentially a budgeted and elongated version of Scott's film, even though "Kingdom of Heaven" was most likely conceived as the market competitor to Sweden's film.

An enjoyable watch all the same, if somewhat lengthy. See it once.

A librarian friend of mine at the Carnegie Library in Pittsburgh, PA recommended this historical fiction when I told her I was looking for some interesting and engaging to read. Boy! did she hit a home run with this suggestion. And, after reading the trilogy of novels of the life of Arn, from birth to death, following him to his time as a monastic, young lover-husband, penitential Crusader, to death, I truly felt I had to see the filmed version. It was most definitely a well-realized cinematic effort to bring the complex and engaging tale of Knight-Crusaders to life on the big and small screens. Well acted, photographed, costumed and just all in all a great film. Enjoy.