Alla vi barn i Bullerbyn

In a family film written by Astrid Lindgren and directed by Lasse Hallström you might expect quite a bit of fun and fancy free. Instead "Alla vi barn i Bullerbyn" turns out almost completely free of fantasy. With thinly disguised autobiographical narration by lead character Lisa, this story of simple country life recalls simpler times gone by and is a welcome alternative for parents to show today's toddlers accustomed to Manga style entertainment (if their attention spans have not already been affected that is). Although I would have preferred a bit more 'Pippi Långstrump' or 'My live as a dog' type magic myself, this old fashioned tale remains very popular with Swedish audiences. We follow the group of village children as they stroll through the woods, ride in carts, and even go skinny dipping (Swedish censors are not as strict about showing nude children from behind).

After visiting Lisa's granddad for the second or third time in a row, the group of friends (who's number varies from time to time) go for a ride on a horse and wagon and sing a bit of cute and carefree tralalala (as opposed to the stuff they were forced to sing in school earlier). They help somebody working in a field and giggle a lot, even though my Swedish was not good enough to understand the joke. Although obviously none of them comes equipped with supernatural Pipi-strength, their parents don't object to them spending the night in a barn on their own. The girl's lullaby makes all the animals in the area cower and run away, so one of the boys pretends to throw up, ending the song prematurely.

Already filmed once before in 1960, I seriously doubt if the earlier version of "Alla vi barn i Bullerbyn" could be any more old fashioned than this one. Together with the sequel, "Mer om oss barn i Bullerbyn", which was shot at the same time, the complete story was turned into a TV series (or could it be the other way around?). This may explain why the film is made up out of so many unrelated little stories (not to mention the abrupt ending in this first part). Unfortunately, I doubt if today's children spoiled by non stop violent cartoons will have the patience to sit through this much peacefulness.

5 out of 10

This film is an adaptation of one of Astrid Lindgren's more low key books. Lindgren is most famous for writing the fantastic tales of Pippi Longstocking. Alla Vi Barn in Bullerbyn, however, represents the author's lower key style that is more grounded in reality.

Bullerbyn is translated as Noisy Village, which is sort of a joke, because Bullerbyn is just about as small and quiet a village as you can have. Living in the village are only three families. The film follows the innocent exploits of the six children of this village as they pass away the days of their summer vacation.

Since the film was simultaneously filmed to be a TV series, the plot is very episodic. For the 90 minutes of the film we watch the six children go from one low key episode to another. What makes the film special is how each scene is such a well crafted observation of what kinds of things children wind up doing when left alone to their own devices. Much of the humor is centered around the fact that there are three boys and three girls. Since they are all under 10 the play is very innocent. But there is nevertheless a lot of gentle teasing that goes back and forth between the sexes.

For those people looking for another fantastic tale like Pippi Longstocking, this may sound boring and trite. For Swedes, however, this is the cinematic equivalent of milk and cookies. I just recently saw this at a Swedish Film festival in a theater filled with young Swedish kids and their moms and a few childless grown-ups as well. The 4 year old girl sitting next to me was clearly entertained and gentle laughter was heard throughout the theater during the entire film. At the end everyone clapped. It is nice to know that a film so innocent as this one can still generate that kind of response from a modern day audience. 7/10

Astrid Lindgren one of the greatest children's novelist ever are here with one of her's best one, about a group of children in little village in Sweden. Wonderful written stories by Ms. Lindgren. All children show outstanding performance.

Like in all Astrid Lindgren books she writes about the Charity in the world and left all the violence and bad thing in is, 'cause that's the way it best.

Starring: Anna Sahlin, Henrik Larsson, Linda Bergströmm,

Crispin Dickson Wendenius, Ellen Demérus. Directer: Lasse Hallström. Based on novel by Astrid Lindgren.

Growing up with Astrid Lindgrens books and TV-series and movies, I have to say that "Barnen i Bullerbyn" is my favorite. As a native Swede, I understand that a lot of foreigners might not fully understand all the singing and weird giggling. But as a story the old movie/TV-series is definitely a good way of telling how things where in the old days in Sweden.

I'm not fond at all of the new recordings, because it spoils the feeling of the dirt-roads and everything to it. Maybe todays kids wouldn't appreciate it since it don't contain tons of flash and monsters or anime characters. yet I won't let my children grow up without seeing this part of my history and background.

All the characters are well thought through. And having Astrid and Lisa as the storytellers it gives the movie/TV-series a special feeling because of the language. It's a part of Astrids life and up growth. Even if it's just about "everyday life" for some kids. It's still about friendship and a good way of seeing things through the eyes of a child.

I haven't seen the English version. and I doubt I ever will. for me, Astrid Lindgrens books and movies and TV-series are supposed to be in Swedish. It's the old recordings with the original actors that's "it". all those new recording that's been done lately can never re-tell the story the way Astrid did. Because no one knew the stories the way she did.

still, I easily recommend you to see Barnen I Bullerbyn, if not because it's a classic, then just to see how the old Sweden was, before it became to modern.