La légende de l'ours roi

Original title: Kvitebjørn Kong Valemon

1991
PG
1h 28m

IMDb RATING

YOUR RATING

Maria Bonnevie in La légende de l'ours roi (1991)

After his father is killed, King Valemon ascends the throne, only to be turned into a polar bear by a bitter witch who wants to be his queen. Valemon must find a bride in the seven year span... Read allAfter his father is killed, King Valemon ascends the throne, only to be turned into a polar bear by a bitter witch who wants to be his queen. Valemon must find a bride in the seven year span that he'll be a polar bear, and so he travels to Winterland and finds a wife to take home... Read allAfter his father is killed, King Valemon ascends the throne, only to be turned into a polar bear by a bitter witch who wants to be his queen. Valemon must find a bride in the seven year span that he'll be a polar bear, and so he travels to Winterland and finds a wife to take home. Although they are happy, she is not allowed to look upon his face when he turns back int... Read all

Director
- Ola Solum
Writers
- Erik Borge
- Peter Christen Asbjørnsen
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

5.9/10

974

YOUR RATING

Director
- Ola Solum
Writers
- Erik Borge
- Peter Christen Asbjørnsen
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

Photos31

+ 25

User reviews18

5.9974

Featured reviews

7pmroe

Good Family Film

People wanting great special effects or a rather adult plot will be disappointed. This movie is wonderful in context with its true purpose. It's a fairy tale...a child's folklore...and a great rendition of such at that. I first watched this movie when I was eight or nine and immediately fell in love with it. It contains all the elements of a classic fairy tale. Also, the Scandinavian influence in the movie is remarkable. As i have matured over the years, i am no longer as captivated by the movie. However, this movie still embodies what is good about a child's fairy tale. It is still great to watch when you feel like being a little kid once again.

6kgm3

A basic fairytale...enjoyable family movie

I first saw this movie when I was about 7 and I loved it. It has enjoyable characters, and a interesting (but understandable to children)plot. Now a teenager, I came across this movie again and checked it out, curious if I would respond to it the same way. I did! The special effects are definetly not spectacular, but it is still a wonderful story.I recomend this movie to people who love fairytales, or childrens movies or your basic uplifting, romance, "good verses evil" plot. I would give this movie 7/10 stars. Definately a family film.

8presle

A visual representation of a classic story.

I absolutely love this movie. Though I have to say the bear? A little cheesy.

But in regards to how it's acted and how the story flows I find it completely loyal to the fairytale/folktale genre. I obsessively collect and read folktales and one thing that characterizes them is that there is very little superfluous information, like the movie they are just bare bones.

I first saw this movie when I was younger, and now as an adult I have to say I'm impressed with the fact that it retains it's integrity and stays true to the genre of folktales. The movie is really someone sitting around and telling you a story. There just happens to be people acting it out at the same time.

Visually it's gorgeous and if you really love folk or fairy tales I can guarantee you'll love this movie.

6up_north_girl

An old Norwegian folk tale

It is difficult to judge this movie for me, as a Norwegian, because I've heard this fairytale since I was a child. The story is an old folk tale, written down in the mid 1800, by the "folk tale collectors" Asbjørnsen and Moe. The tale is very similar to both "the beauty and the beast", and especially the old Greek myth of Eros and Psyche.

The tale is built up as an ordinary fairytale, with the "3-times rule" and the moral. This movie can be a bit boring, and confusing, if you don't know the story. That is why my vote for the movie is 5, and an extra point for the fabulous fairytale:) I encourage anyone to read the tale of "Kvitebjørn KOng Valemon", especially if they would like to watch this movie.

6eaglefangs

Then vs Now

If six year old me was writing this movie I'd give it a 10/10 and say it was the best film ever made! As an adult, it's something to be enjoyed by kids. I'm one of those people that loves cheesy horror and sci-fi, but this is bad. However, I would say it's a movie where they did what they could with what they had.

I watch it for nostalgia and that's about it. If you have kiddos then they'll probably enjoy. As an adult you may not. However I always say watch it for yourself and make a judgment call.

Trivia
The story of the king coming to his bride at night so she cannot see him, and her sisters convincing her to use a lantern to see him (which has negative consequences), is based of the Greek story of god Éros (Cupid) and his bride Psyché, which was also the basis for "Beauty and the Beast".