1939

Sweden was one of the safest countries during ww2 in Europe after Iceland and Portugal. A movie centered around the life of a woman during said war in Sweden needs a more interesting plot to compensate for the dullness of the events that concerned Sweden in that time.

That plot never happened. It's simply a story about a young woman and some sad realities of life that could have happened regardless of whether or not a war was ongoing

As a sort of documentary this would have been a 9, but they tried to make it a movie. 3h long as well. Not worth your time if you don't at least enjoy modern history.

Just take the time to really watch this movie. Great acting and styling. 5.6 rating is ridiculous.

This film is probably one of the most well-made films Sweden has ever produced. It's serious, it's truthful and believable and it really depicts life in Sweden during the WW2. I'm from Värmland myself, so that part of the film seems most important to me. Many swedes lived with the Third Reich as neighbors during the occupation, and it's a clever touch to include the shooting of some people trying to make it to Sweden.

I also have to point out that my single appearance in any film so far, is at the train station when the father leaves to do military service. See the hats of the little boys running around in the crowd? One of them is me :)

Anyway, well made, and it really shows that this was the most expensive Swedish film to date. Somewhat slow, though.

...should be around 7-8. 1939 is now available on Netflix worldwide having an audience 100 times more than in 1989 when was filmed. Quality is outstanding subsequent remastering. The movie is maybe a bit too long, but not boring, great acting, interesting subject, reflecting actually Swedish people life during WWII, that being a neutral country was far better than life of French, Dutch, or Norwegian people. The only reason I don't give more than 8 stars is that finishes too suddenly letting you open to think about how might continue. What I liked especially is that everything happens during action is natural and not as in a soap movie.

1939 was a major project in the Swedish film industry. The Swedish people were invited to send in short descriptions of their own experiences during the war. The events depicted in the film are based on these stories. The main character, Annika, is based on a woman in real life, who travelled from Värmland to Stockholm to start a new life.

The film does create plausible images of what went on in Sweden during the war. The film also illustrates a time of transition, both for the world (from the old, safe environment to a new, unsecure one with prospects and dangers) and for the young people, who were forced to grow up quickly during this violent period of time. Everyone had to decide how to relate to the new world and what to do about their personal roots and beliefs. This is why I find the film so interesting.

I agree that 1939 can be considered slow at times, but I also happen to think that it is a tempo which suits the tale that is told. In my book, the key line is during one of the slower moments, when Annika's father says to Annika something along the lines of: "I am afraid of what's coming. Don't forget the old ways, Annika. Don't forget the way we used to live." Looking out over the meadows of his home, he realises that he is being left behind by the development, and that Annika and her peers are left at the helm. For me it is a thoroughly moving moment in the film. With the fast pace that we are living today, we would all do well to heed his plea.

This film didn't get the credit I think it merited, and at least for us Swedes 1939 should be considered an important film.