Pathfinder (1987)
Around the year 1000 AD warlike people, the so-called "tjuder", roam in northern Scandinavia. As they brutally kill a family in a remote area, including the parents and their little daughter, the family's teenage son, Aigin, observes the slaughter. He manages to flee from these killers and reaches a camp with other Sámi whose inhabitants are worried if he has been able to hide his track. Afraid of the murderous people, they decide to flee to the coast. The boy stays alone to avenge his family's murder. Unfortunately, they get him before he can do anything and force him to lead them to the other Sámi. He guides them but has a plan to destroy the barbarous people before reaching the camp.
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good back-story, and good acting
Film Perfection
Beautiful, moving film.
It really made me laugh, but for some moments I was tearing up because I could relate so much.
This movie was remade in 2006 as "Pathfinder" in America. I watched this movie before I rented the remake. The director from the original intended to shoot the movie on 65mm, but didn't have the money to do so. So he did three blow-ups on 70mm of the film. One of these copies was shown in Karlsruhe and I watched it! I can only recommend to watch it that way! The story is quite simple and can be read here at IMDb. What is quite amazing is the complex story/character arc of the main person. Of course there are still some flaws in the storytelling and the usual holes in the plot ... or that's how you could interpret them. Because those flaws (maybe they are more character flaws?) are pushing this movie into another level (imo). Just don't expect (Hollywood) Blockbuster action here ...
The photography is beautiful. The story hooks you very quickly. The movie has something for everyone: action, romance, nature, mysticism. I saw it 20 years ago and forgot the name. I posted on IMDb and another viewer knew the movie based on my description. It takes place in prehistoric time, but the characters are very human: you feel as if they are family. While there are subtitles, there is not much dialog: you can follow the movie very well without even looking at them. The photography is stunning. Not only is the scenery gorgeous, but the camera angles and the scene composition is wonderful. This is a movie which will bless you with its memory for the rest of your life.
The amazing Norwegian movie named "Veiviseren" from the north of Norway was Oscar nominated in 1987-88. New released in Norway, April-May 2005, in a deluxe DVD version (2 DVDs). The movie is totally digitally remastered with amazing picture and sound quality for the DVD movie fans. Also very much extra bonus material included. One of the best Norwegian DVD releases ever. The movie is now out for sale all over the Scandinavian DVD market with subtitles included, but an international DVD version is coming soon with subtitles in many different languages for both DVD region 1 and region 2.The DVD can be ordered from Norwegian and Scandinavian net shops of DVDs and many other shops in Norway and Scandinavia that selling DVD movies.
I had not heard of Pathfinder (Ofelas) before it was screened on television tonight. My first impression was WOW! The photography and soundtrack were both stunning. The story is straightforward, set in 10th century Lapland, a boy witnesses the slaughter of his family by a marauding tribe, who then proceed to pursue him. He takes refuge in a small peaceful settlement, but it is not long before long the brutal kllers of his family catch up. This film is wonderful in all aspects, everyone involved in its production deserve the highest praise. The film is short but I guarantee you will feel exhausted watching this pursuit in the snow. I would like to recommend Shadow of the Wolf directed by Jacques Dorfman starring Lou Diamond Phillips and Toshiro Mifune another snow spectacular set amongst the Innuit tribe.