Release CalendarDVD & Blu-ray ReleasesTop 250 MoviesMost Popular MoviesBrowse Movies by GenreTop Box OfficeShowtimes & TicketsIn TheatersComing SoonMovie NewsIndia Movie Spotlight
    What's on TV & StreamingTop 250 TV ShowsMost Popular TV ShowsBrowse TV Shows by GenreTV NewsIndia TV Spotlight
    What to WatchLatest TrailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsBest Picture WinnersBest Picture WinnersEmmysLGBTQ+ Pride MonthSTARmeter AwardsSan Diego Comic-ConNew York Comic-ConSundance Film FestivalToronto Int'l Film FestivalAwards CentralFestival CentralAll Events
    Born TodayMost Popular CelebsMost Popular CelebsCelebrity News
    Help CenterContributor ZonePolls
For Industry Professionals
  • All
  • Titles
  • TV Episodes
  • Celebs
  • Companies
  • Keywords
  • Advanced Search
Watchlist
Sign In
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
IMDbPro

Pelle the Conqueror

Original title: Pelle erobreren
  • 19871987
  • PG-13PG-13
  • 2h 37m
IMDb RATING
7.8/10
11K
YOUR RATING
Max von Sydow and Pelle Hvenegaard in Pelle the Conqueror (1987)
Trailer for Pelle the Conqueror
Play trailer1:41
3 Videos
46 Photos
  • Drama
When his wife dies, Lasse takes his 12-year-old son, Pelle, from their home in Sweden to Denmark in search of a better life.When his wife dies, Lasse takes his 12-year-old son, Pelle, from their home in Sweden to Denmark in search of a better life.When his wife dies, Lasse takes his 12-year-old son, Pelle, from their home in Sweden to Denmark in search of a better life.
IMDb RATING
7.8/10
11K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Bille August
  • Writers
    • Martin Andersen Nexø(novel)
    • Bille August(screenplay)
    • Per Olov Enquist(in collaboration with)
  • Stars
    • Pelle Hvenegaard
    • Max von Sydow
    • Erik Paaske
Top credits
  • Director
    • Bille August
  • Writers
    • Martin Andersen Nexø(novel)
    • Bille August(screenplay)
    • Per Olov Enquist(in collaboration with)
  • Stars
    • Pelle Hvenegaard
    • Max von Sydow
    • Erik Paaske
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 56User reviews
    • 25Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Won 1 Oscar
      • 22 wins & 10 nominations total

    Videos3

    Pelle the Conqueror: 30th Anniversary
    Trailer 1:41
    Pelle the Conqueror: 30th Anniversary
    PELLE THE CONQUEROR - OFFICIAL US Trailer
    Trailer 1:41
    PELLE THE CONQUEROR - OFFICIAL US Trailer
    Indie Spirit Stars Suggest Indie Gems You Must Watch Right Now
    Clip 2:49
    Indie Spirit Stars Suggest Indie Gems You Must Watch Right Now

    Photos46

    Max von Sydow and Pelle Hvenegaard in Pelle the Conqueror (1987)
    Max von Sydow and Pelle Hvenegaard in Pelle the Conqueror (1987)
    Max von Sydow and Pelle Hvenegaard in Pelle the Conqueror (1987)
    Max von Sydow and Pelle Hvenegaard in Pelle the Conqueror (1987)
    Pelle the Conqueror (1987)
    Pelle Hvenegaard in Pelle the Conqueror (1987)
    Pelle the Conqueror (1987)
    Kristina Törnqvist in Pelle the Conqueror (1987)
    Pelle Hvenegaard in Pelle the Conqueror (1987)
    Pelle the Conqueror (1987)
    Max von Sydow in Pelle the Conqueror (1987)
    Pelle the Conqueror (1987)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Pelle Hvenegaard
    Pelle Hvenegaard
    • Pelleas Pelle
    Max von Sydow
    Max von Sydow
    • Lassefaras Lassefar
    Erik Paaske
    • Forvalteras Forvalter
    Björn Granath
    Björn Granath
    • Erikas Erik
    • (as Bjørn Granath)
    Astrid Villaume
    • Fru Kongstrupas Fru Kongstrup
    Axel Strøbye
    Axel Strøbye
    • Kongstrupas Kongstrup
    Troels Asmussen
    • Rudas Rud
    Kristina Törnqvist
    • Annaas Anna
    Karen Wegener
    • Madam Olsenas Madam Olsen
    Sofie Gråbøl
    Sofie Gråbøl
    • Jomfru Sineas Jomfru Sine
    Lars Simonsen
    Lars Simonsen
    • Niels Kølleras Niels Køller
    Buster Larsen
    • Ole Kølleras Ole Køller
    John Wittig
    • Skolelæreras Skolelærer
    Troels Munk
    • Lægeas Læge
    Nis Bank-Mikkelsen
    • Præstas Præst
    Lena-Pia Bernhardsson
    • Soenas Soen
    • (as Lena Pia Bernhardsson)
    Anna Lise Hirsch Bjerrum
    • Karnaas Karna
    • (as Anne Lise Hirsch Bjerrum)
    Vilhelm Weber
    • Karl på Stengårdenas Karl på Stengården
    • Director
      • Bille August
    • Writers
      • Martin Andersen Nexø(novel)
      • Bille August(screenplay)
      • Per Olov Enquist(in collaboration with)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

    More like this

    The Best Intentions
    7.7
    The Best Intentions
    Zappa
    7.3
    Zappa
    Babette's Feast
    7.8
    Babette's Feast
    My Life as a Dog
    7.6
    My Life as a Dog
    Twist and Shout
    7.4
    Twist and Shout
    The Assault
    7.2
    The Assault
    In a Better World
    7.6
    In a Better World
    Flame & Citron
    7.2
    Flame & Citron
    The Emigrants
    8.0
    The Emigrants
    En sång för Martin
    6.9
    En sång för Martin
    Bænken
    7.5
    Bænken
    Stolen Spring
    7.3
    Stolen Spring

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Pelle Hvenegaard, who plays the leading part, is actually named after the title character himself.
    • Goofs
      Although set on the island of Bornholm, the characters speak standard Danish instead of the Bornholmsk dialect, and do not have Bornholm accents either.
    • Quotes

      [first lines]

      Pelle: Father?

      Lassefar: Everything's gonna be fine.

      Pelle: Say it again.

      Lassefar: This new country we're going to is very different.

      Pelle: Tell me more about it.

      Lassefar: They put raisins in the pork roast and butter on the bread. They put a lot of butter on the bread. Brandy is as cheap as water and it is so strong that it knocks you off. But your father can take it, Pelle, because he's strong.

      Pelle: And children are free all day.

      Lassefar: Yes, Pelle, yes.

      Pelle: Say it again.

      Lassefar: You get so well-paid that children don't need...

      Pelle: Don't need to work. They can play all day long.

      Lassefar: [smiling] Yes.

    • Connections
      Edited into Eventyret om dansk film 18: Nye perspektiver - 1970-1987 (1996)

    User reviews56

    Review
    Top review
    An exceptionally well made film that is bound to depress you...
    I can see why "Pelle the Conqueror" won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film. It's exceptionally well made. However, I am warning you that although it's worth seeing, it's not a particularly pleasant film--as it's grim from start to finish...VERY, VERY grim.

    The film is set in late 19th century Denmark. It begins with an older man (Max Von Sydow) and his young son, Pelle, arriving there from Sweden. According to the dad, Denmark is a land of many opportunities and there life will be so much better than it had been back home. However, soon they learn that life is dreadfully oppressive here in their new home. They are hired on as indentured servants of sorts--and even the young boy must toil very hard on this farm. In some ways, they are like slaves as the food is terrible, the hours long and there is almost no let up to the bleakness of their lives. Many awful things happen through the course of the film--murdered babies, people getting pounded in the head by a large stone, rapes, and Pelle ultimately learns that through all this, his father is a spineless wimp.

    This movie does seem to illustrate just how tough life was and does a great job of showing the lives of illiterate workers, but it's also a real chore to stick with it. Lovers of art films will probably be able to stick around for the almost three hour running time--most of the rest will not. In many ways it reminds me of other Oscar-winners like "The Last Emperor" and "The English Patient"--very grim and miserable films. However, at least with "Pelle" you actually care about the characters--which makes it worth seeing IF you are very, very patient. However, if you are depressed at all, do NOT watch the film--it might just push you over the edge.
    helpful•10
    2
    • planktonrules
    • Aug 25, 2011

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 21, 1988 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • Denmark
      • Sweden
    • Languages
      • Finnish
      • Scanian
      • Danish
      • Swedish
    • Also known as
      • Pelle, der Eroberer
    • Filming locations
      • Bregnegården, Tappernøje, Sjælland, Denmark
    • Production companies
      • Per Holst Filmproduktion
      • Svensk Filmindustri (SF)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $2,063,688
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $45,985
      • Dec 25, 1988
    • Gross worldwide
      • $2,063,688
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 37 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

    Related news

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    Max von Sydow and Pelle Hvenegaard in Pelle the Conqueror (1987)
    Top Gap
    By what name was Pelle the Conqueror (1987) officially released in India in English?
    Answer
    • See more gaps
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page

    More to explore

    View list
    List
    2022 TV Guide: The Best Shows Coming This Year
    See the full list
    View list
    List
    The Best Movies and Shows to Watch in June
    See the full list

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb App
    • Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • IMDb Developer
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Interest-Based Ads
    IMDb, an Amazon company

    © 1990-2022 by IMDb.com, Inc.