fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of speculative fiction involving Magic (supernatural), magical elements, typically set in a fictional universe and sometimes inspired by mythology and folklore. Its roots are in oral traditions, which then became fantasy ...
adventure
An adventure is an exciting experience or undertaking that is typically bold, sometimes risky. Adventures may be activities with danger such as traveling, exploring, skydiving, mountain climbing, scuba diving, river rafting, or other extreme spo ...
Jack Fjeldstad
Jack Fjeldstad (24 March 1915 – 4 September 2000) was a Norwegian actor and stage producer. He was active on stage and in films for more than fifty years. He made his film debut in ''Det drønner gjennom dalen'' in 1937, and participated in ...
,
Maria Bonnevie
Anna Maria Cecilia Bonnevie (born 26 September 1973) is a Swedish- Norwegian actress. She was born in Västerås, Sweden, but grew up in Oslo, Norway. Her parents are Norwegian actress Jannik Bonnevie and Swedish actor Per Waldvik. Bonnevie wa ...
,
Tobias Hoesl
Tobias Hoesl (born 29 September 1961 in Munich, West Germany) is a German television actor.
Selected filmography
*1984: ', TV miniseries
*1985: '' Morenga'' … Baron von Treskow
*1985: ''The Feather Fairy'' … Jacob
*1986: ''The Black Forest C ...
,
Monica Nordquist
Eva Gun Monica Nordquist Graffman (born ''Nordquist'' 3 February 1941 in Bromma, Stockholm - 24 June 2017) was a Swedish actress, well known for her roles as Madicken's mother and Fia's mother in the 1973 TV series ''Den vita stenen''. All those ...
The land of the far north is ruled by a wise king who has three daughters, one of whom shall one day rule over his kingdom of Winterland. The two older daughters lack depth and understanding, but the youngest is good hearted and kind. She is also uncommonly brave. Unfortunately for the king, she has always desired to live in a land with flowers.
Far to the south young prince Valemon becomes king, however an evil
witch
Witchcraft traditionally means the use of Magic (supernatural), magic or supernatural powers to harm others. A practitioner is a witch. In Middle Ages, medieval and early modern Europe, where the term originated, accused witches were usually ...
has designs on becoming the most powerful person in the world. She believes she can do so by producing a child with the prince. The new king does not wish great power over others, and has no intention of marrying the witch. Angry, the witch curses the young king by turning him into a
bear
Bears are carnivoran mammals of the family Ursidae. They are classified as caniforms, or doglike carnivorans. Although only eight species of bears are extant, they are widespread, appearing in a wide variety of habitats throughout the Nor ...
by day, and marks that he has seven years to find someone to fall in love him, and marry him. Further, if anyone should look upon his human face before the seven years are over, he will have lost and will have to marry the witch.
The miserable bear travels north, and enters Winterland. There the growling beast meets the young princess, who has her father's gift of being able to speak with animals. She asks the bear why he is so angry, and learns that he is not a bear, but is really the king of Summerland, cursed to look as he does. When she learns his secret and sees the flowers of Summerland reflected in his eyes, she is filled with compassion for the young king and agrees to go to Summerland with him as his wife.
After their arrival the witch sets about trying to harm the young couple, but is thwarted by the King's mother, who has some mastery of magic as well. With each new child the couple is blessed with the witch arrives to harm them, but the child disappears into safety before the witch can strike. Though their children are safe, the young princess does not know what has become of them. Heartbroken over losing her children, she falls into a deep despair. Hearing of this, her father sends her a special gift, and asks her to visit him. Through the love of her father she is greatly restored, however her older sisters plant the idea in her mind that she should light a candle while her husband sleeps to see what he looks like. As soon as she does the witch appears with a laugh and takes Valemon. Overcome with guilt and grief, she sets out to free him. The effort to rescue Valemon will require all her bravery and guile.
Cast
*
Jack Fjeldstad
Jack Fjeldstad (24 March 1915 – 4 September 2000) was a Norwegian actor and stage producer. He was active on stage and in films for more than fifty years. He made his film debut in ''Det drønner gjennom dalen'' in 1937, and participated in ...
as the King of the Winterland
*
Maria Bonnevie
Anna Maria Cecilia Bonnevie (born 26 September 1973) is a Swedish- Norwegian actress. She was born in Västerås, Sweden, but grew up in Oslo, Norway. Her parents are Norwegian actress Jannik Bonnevie and Swedish actor Per Waldvik. Bonnevie wa ...
as Princess
*
Tobias Hoesl
Tobias Hoesl (born 29 September 1961 in Munich, West Germany) is a German television actor.
Selected filmography
*1984: ', TV miniseries
*1985: '' Morenga'' … Baron von Treskow
*1985: ''The Feather Fairy'' … Jacob
*1986: ''The Black Forest C ...
as King Valemon
** Steve Kratz as Valemon's voice (Swedish)
**
David Forman
David Forman is an English actor, stuntman, puppeteer and internet entrepreneur who has played several suit roles in Jim Henson's Creature Shop, notably as the character of Leonardo in the ''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles'' film (1990). He also s ...
as King Valemon's Polar Bear form (puppeteer)
*
Monica Nordquist
Eva Gun Monica Nordquist Graffman (born ''Nordquist'' 3 February 1941 in Bromma, Stockholm - 24 June 2017) was a Swedish actress, well known for her roles as Madicken's mother and Fia's mother in the 1973 TV series ''Den vita stenen''. All those ...
as King Valemon's Mother
* Anna-Lotta Larsson as Witch
*
Helge Jordal
Helge Jordal (born 17 February 1946) is a Norwegian actor. He was appointed a Knight of the Royal Order of St. Olav in 2006 for his long career as an actor both on screen and on stage, and for his position as a "grand old man" among Norwegian a ...
as
the Devil
Satan,, ; grc, ὁ σατανᾶς or , ; ar, شيطانالخَنَّاس , also known as the Devil, and sometimes also called Lucifer in Christianity, is an entity in the Abrahamic religions that seduces humans into sin or falsehood. ...
* Marika Enstad as the Oldest Princess
* Kristin Mack as the Middle Princess
*
Espen Skjønberg
Espen Henrik Skjønberg (7 April 1924 – 26 August 2022) was a Norwegian actor of stage, screen, and television.
Career
Skjønberg made his first movie appearances as a child in the 1932 film ''En glad gutt'' and in the 1937 Norwegian classic ...
as the narrator
Production and release
The story was adapted from the Norwegian folktales ''
East of the Sun and West of the Moon
"East of the Sun and West of the Moon" ( no, Østenfor sol og vestenfor måne) is a Norwegian fairy tale. It was included by Andrew Lang in ''The Blue Fairy Book'' (1890).
"East of the Sun and West of the Moon" was collected by Peter Christen A ...
Peter Christen Asbjørnsen
Peter Christen Asbjørnsen (15 January 18125 January 1885) was a Norwegian writer and scholar. He and Jørgen Engebretsen Moe were collectors of Norwegian folklore. They were so closely united in their lives' work that their folk tale collection ...
Erik Borge
Erik Borge (22 October 1924 – 11 May 2008) was a Norwegian film director and screenwriter. He was born in Kristiania. Among his productions was '' Trost i taklampa'' from 1955, based on Alf Prøysen's novel. He was manager of the company Norsk ...
wrote the screenplay. The musical score for the film was composed by Geir Bøhren and Bent Åserud. Filming was completed in Norway and Sweden. The bear in the movie was created by
Jim Henson's Creature Shop
Jim Henson's Creature Shop is a special/visual effects company founded in 1979 by puppeteer Jim Henson, creator of The Muppets. The company is based out of Burbank, California, United States.
History
Jim Henson's Creature Shop was originally ...
. The film was produced in Norway, Sweden and Germany. Originally recorded in Norwegian, the film was dubbed in German and English. It was first released on 28 November 1991 in Germany. It premiered in
Oslo
Oslo ( , , or ; sma, Oslove) is the capital and most populous city of Norway. It constitutes both a county and a municipality. The municipality of Oslo had a population of in 2022, while the city's greater urban area had a population of ...
East of the Sun and West of the Moon
"East of the Sun and West of the Moon" ( no, Østenfor sol og vestenfor måne) is a Norwegian fairy tale. It was included by Andrew Lang in ''The Blue Fairy Book'' (1890).
"East of the Sun and West of the Moon" was collected by Peter Christen A ...