Rasmus på luffen

This is one of the many Swedish movies based on novels by Astrid Lindgren. It tells the story of Rasmus, a boy who runs away from an orphanage and meets a tramp named Oskar. The tramp is portrayed by no other than Allan Edwall (Mattias from 'Bröderna Lejonhjärta'). Rasmus is portrayed by Erik Lindgren.

It's not a bad movie, but it's pretty average. I personally find it nothing special. Realistically it isn't much more than a not completely successful musical with a somehow dull plot. Even the beauty of the colored Swedish cinematography isn't enough to save it.

Although the Swedish film industry seems to be too small to have much reviews and people who know it, I'm still surprised that I'm the first person to review this film. There must have at least a few people who know it, even if those people are all Swedish and if the number of them can be counted by the fingers.

Rasmus is a young boy in an orphanage in rural Sweden during the early years of the 20th century. Every time when potential foster-parents arrive, Rasmus is overlooked. Then one day he just has enough and decides to find his own foster-parents. He just walks out of the orphanage into the wide world. Along the way he meets a tramp, Oskar, who makes his living by playing his accordion at farmsteads and villages he visits in his travels, in return for a few coins or a plate of food. He joins the tramp and together they have many adventures, including crossing paths with a couple of burglars who are dressed as gentlemen. The latter have just robbed a business of a large sum of money during a hold-up. Things get problematic for the tramp and Rasmus when the 'gentlemen' spread word that the tramp and boy are behind the spate of recent burglaries in the vicinity. And almost everybody believed them and suspected the bum and his young accomplice to be the culprits.

It may sound as if this is a film rather thin on plot aimed at younger viewers. However, this movie is not as simple as it sounds and has many quality cinematic elements. The set is lavish and realistic, costumes great, but it is the cinematography in particular that impresses. Beautifully shot pastoral scenes in verdant summer landscapes, contrasted with atmospheric indoor footage. The casting is excellent too; both Allan Edwall (Oskar) and Erik Lindgren (Rasmus) play their roles with distinction. Erik Lindgren's facial expressions alone say more than words.

I score this well-crafted film a good 7/10.

9-year old orphan called Rasmus runs away from the orphanage.He meets a vagabond they call Paradise Oskar.He likes to sing and play his accordion.Oskar makes the world seem like a better place.Rasmus På Luffen (1981) is directed by Olle Hellbom.It's based on the Astrig Lindgren tale from 1956.Allan Edwall is quite fantastic as Oskar.Allan is remembered also from Emil i Lönneberga.Also Emy Storm we can remember from that show as his wife.In this one she plays Principal of Orphanage.And then Maud Hansson was in that show playing Lina.Here she does a minor part.The kid's part is done by Erik Lindgren, and he makes a great Rasmus.Pål Steen plays his pal Gunnar.The crooks, Lin and Liander, are played by Jarl Kulle and Håkan Serner.Tommy Johnson and Lottie Ejebrant play Nilsson i Stensättra and Fru Nilsson.This movie from 30 years back is a movie of good spirit.It makes you smile, even though it doesn't rise to the level of Emil.But there's a lot of good stuff there, like when they face the thieves.It's a joy to the eye to watch the summer nature of Sweden.This works for the whole family.