Olsen-banden ser rødt

This is one of the peaks in Danish film history. The end scene in the Royal Danish Theatre is made with so much musicality that it could be compared to the early Disney-cartoons. But this is real people! Not a cartoon!

What starts out as an okay entry in the long running Olsen-Banden series that started in 1968, emerges as one of the best, with a climactic heist in the Royal Danish Theatre with our gang blasting and drilling their way through the theatre to obtain the usual McGuffin (The Red Briefcase), set to the tunes of Kuhlau´s "Elverhøj", a cinematic moment of sheer genius, conceived and executed to perfection. That´s actor/director Asbjørn Andersen ("Reptilicus") in a cameo (his last) dressed as King Christian IV of Denmark. ***

This is one of the most funny movies I have seen. It is so well done all the way. Not only does it contain the best scene ever put on film, where Olsen Banden breaks through the dressing rooms at the Royal Danish Theater, which has no match anywhere on film, but it also contains a multitude of other genius scenes created by the wizards Henning Bahs and Erik Balling. This is a real treat. Enjoy it.

This was the 8th of the 14 Olsen Gang comedies, which were immensely popular in parts of Europe. They depict life from the point of view of petty bourgeois criminals with higher aspirations. (See ls075500400 for the full list.) Most people seem to agree that this film and the preceding one, Olsen-banden på sporet (1975), are the best two in the series. In my opinion, this one is so outstanding that it is clearly the better of the two, though I can see how railway lovers who aren't into classical music might consider the previous one better.

Danish films from the 1970s look very similar to French films from the same decade, and have a very similar lightness to them. I think this may be due to the influence of the works of Jacques Tati, such as the famous Meu Tio (1958). Unfortunately the Danish films are generally less well known in some major markets. If you love the classical French films such as Loiro Alto do Sapato Preto (1972) (with Pierre Richard) or L'aile ou la cuisse (1976) (with Louis de Funès), then you will likely love the similar Danish films such as Martha (1967) or the Olsen Gang as well. (PS: In the time since I wrote this review, I watched Os Vingadores (1961) for the first time. The famous classical seasons featuring Emma Peel also have a similar style and may be better known globally.)

Most Olsen Gang movies consist of a short pre-coup followed by a big heist. This one is special in that it actually features two ingenious coups. The visually stunning arrival of the caterer at the baron's picturesque castle (played by Vallø Castle) marks the beginning of the first coup. The second coup takes place in the Royal Theatre in Copenhagen and requires extensive rehearsals by the gang to prepare for one of the most outrageously funny criminal coups in cinema history, involving a jackhammer, an orchestra, and precise timing.

A family favorite and just plain fun. Olsen Banden ser Rødt is one of the best in the franchise and entertains from start to finish. It can seem a bit in east and west at times, but it still keeps a strong red thread throughout and the humor and especially one sequence is great.

After once again getting out of jail Egon Olsen is ready with a new plan. His going to steal a vase for a rich lord with help from his gang, Kjeld and Benny. The deal with the lord goes south, and Olsen is now set on revenge.

This has some connection to me in ways that can make the significance of the movie seem biased. A repetitive gag of this series of movies, is that a lot of the lines and beats are the exact same from previous movies. It connects to the mundane and how nothing is ever going to change. It could also be seen as laziness, and I respect that view too. What I´m trying to say is don´t watch the franchise as a marathon, I think you would go crazy. But it´s a franchise I share with my family and that´s why it means a lot to me. While I actually think it´s generally funny and has some good moments, it´s in no way a masterpiece and, as mentioned, draws from previous movies for recurring jokes.

The movie has a great heart and some good humor. The jokes really land and it´s carried by the fun and campy performances. It´s no masterclass in acting at all, but these people just embody these roles and the over the top acting seem like how the characters should be. It´s a fun and over the top world, like a live action cartoon, and that´s why it works.

As always the main trio dose a great acting job as well as Kirsten Walther as Yvonne, but the real star as always is Ove Sprogøe as Egon Olsen. He just brings so much personality to the character trough his line delivery, face acting and body acting.

The idea of this movie feels like they had a list of ideas for scenes and just melted them together. It can feel like a really fragmented movie, where the first set piece doesn't match the latter. But there is a red thread that connect the events and I think it works. A common thread used by the Olsen Banden movies are the small guy vs the big guy. It´s obvious here how Olsen now has a chance to work for the big guy, but after he ruins their deal, it´s now time to take the battle to them. Revenge, ups and downs and a climactic ending keeps you entertained from start to finish.

The most iconic sequence is toward the end at the Danish royal theater. A great combination of stunts, timing, music and tension creates an iconic sequence in Danish film history.

This is just a good fun movie. Don´t go in expect to see anything life changing and especially not if you have seen other movies in the franchise. But this one just goes that little extra mile to add a bit more and push it´s own limits in a series with very limited effort at times. It´s fun and iconic.