THE SAGA OF GOSTA BERLING has been available for many years but never like this. Previous versions were cut-rate low budget affairs that were missing over half the film’s running time and were often presented without any kind of musical accompaniment. European silent films in particular have suffered in the U.S. where, because of the limited appeal and general unavailability of the material, any version was better than no version. While this is true to a certain extent it is also true that a great deal of harm was done as it gave most people the wrong impression of many of these silent classics by making them appear crude and primitive. Over the last decade that misconception is being corrected as quality releases from companies like Kino and Milestone Films help to rectify the situation. Movies like METROPOLIS and NOSFERATU, to cite two well known titles, can be seen more or less the way they were intended. Such is now the case with GOSTA BERLING which turns out to be a monumental epic on par with films like BIRTH OF A NATION and NAPOLEON.
The storyline, as has been noted before, is like a Swedish version of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE. Contrary to the way the film is advertised, it is not a vehicle for Greta Garbo. Her part is important and it got her noticed but she is only one of several characters who inhabit this large scale canvas. At 184 minutes GOSTA is very long and at times hard to follow because of the numerous storylines but if you stick with it you’ll find yourself inevitably drawn in and the last third of the film is a powerful emotional ride that is almost impossible to turn away from. Bravos to the Swedish Film Institute for the restoration work which is truly remarkable and to Kino for making this masterwork available the way it was meant to be seen.
Special mention should be made of the outstanding new score by Matti Bye that accompanies the film. It enhances the various moods of the many characters and keeps you drawn to the story as it unfolds. Sweden was one of the major players during the silent era and GOSTA BERLING would mark the zenith of Swedish cinema for nearly 30 years as most of the talent involved with the film would migrate to Hollywood where superstardom awaited Garbo, several good parts awaited Lars Hanson, and the end of his career awaited director Mauritz Stiller who would die in 1928 after returning to Sweden. This is part of a three film tribute along with SIR ARNE’S TREASURE and the romantic comedy EROTIKON devoted to the great but forgotten Swedish director. It’s a must have for any silent film aficionado or for anyone who loves an epic romance. Think of it as a silent film treatment of GONE WITH THE WIND or DOCTOR ZHIVAGO.
The Capsule Critic 