Äppelkriget

This is a joyful film, a celebration of life, and just a lot of fun. I remember it from the '70s, when our local art house showed it -- and my wife and I must have seen it a half dozen times. I'd still love to get a video copy (with English subtitles!). This is probably the most fun way, bar none, to get a glimpse into Norse mythology, while also saving the Swedish countryside. It is only ironic that this movie pre-dates EuroDisney by, oh, a couple decades! This film sings -- and the music is part of the fun. This makes you believe in life and love again.

This film is perhaps the most charming soap bubble I've ever encountered. I saw theaters full of disenchanted college students leave with the broadest of smiles on their faces and a sense that cynicism might not be the eternal verite after all. Add to that the most delightful images imaginable and you have a film not to be missed by any but the most hardened of hearts.

Anglamark, a rural Swedish town, must become an amusement park, called Deutschnyland. At least, that is the aim of Tore Gustafsson, the entrepreneur of the town. 'It means lots, lots of money. And, finally, we can put this castle on fire.' A rebellious man, a peasant woman with magical powers and an inventor try to thwart the project.

The Apple War is a witty low budget film, which charms the viewer using inventive solutions and enthusiastic actors. It is the kind of creative 'special effect' that nowadays is used by Michel Gondry. The PR man with a growing hat, actually becoming as big as himself. A Stonehenge-like structure changed into a casino.

It is not at all the straightforward satire you might expect, actually quite the opposite. You can describe this as a fairy tale with satirical elements. This makes way for bizarre and unpredictable interludes, as the episode with three simple-minded brothers (Max von Sydow just two years before his big break with The Exorcist). The scene with the man who has a beard that grows against the walls. Or the scene with the peeing giant.

However, the film remains satirical until the end. And you might even call this film prophetic. The Gustafsson's are the boss in this modern day and age. Everywhere you see them destroy beautiful things in order to build their Deutschnylands. 'Old motherland will be... future motherland!' One of the main reasons I think that this film is so enjoyable: it is made with confidence. Director Tage Danielsson and Hans Alfredson were comedians who worked together on films and TV shows since 1956, so they were well experienced in 1971.

I loved this film and recommend this everyone who enjoys obscure and original cinema. I rate it 8/10.

I saw Apple War, or Appelkriget, in the early 70's when it was showing at a university area theater. I probably went 4 times, and every time I saw the same thing: every single attendee left with a huge smile on his or her face. I've never experienced a movie that has had that affect on the entire audience. I just wish I could find a copy of this gem to see again. I can't believe that it would have lost its charm or glamour, and my life, and those of my friends, could use a little unadulterated joy.

It has been many years since I've seen "The Apple War," but it still sticks in my mind as one of the cleverest, sweetest films I've ever seen.

If I remember correctly, the sequence with Mr. Von Sydow dancing to the beat of his drum was truly something to behold (and certainly very well done).

I'm really sorry that it doesn't seem to be available on tape or DVD.