Elvira Madigan

It’s odd that a film of this story has never been made in English because it’s got to be one of the most touching and poignant love stories. Set amidst the brilliant light and lush meadows, we encounter the wealthy young lieutenant “Sixten” (Thommy Berggren) who is happily married with two young children. Until, that is, he meets acclaimed tightrope walker “Hedvig” aka “Elvira” (Pia Degermark) with whom he falls helplessly in love. He can think of no-one else and in case you’re wondering - she reciprocates. Now it doesn’t take a genius to figure that in 19th century Sweden, handsome aristocratic soldiers could get away with much but not with abandoning their posts, their family and heading off into the sunset with a women of, at best, disreputable status - so the choices they must make will make their lives difficult, if not impossible, as he discovers he has little practical skills at anything and both are shunned by a disapproving society. The question is that ultimate “can true love conquer all” type thing, and to be honest there’s not an whole load of substance to the story, but the denouement is really quite a potent (and slightly ambiguous) scene and given the whole thing is supported by plentiful gorgeous photography accompanied by some gentle Mozart and Vivaldi, this is a gently unfolding story that might soften even the hardest of hearts as the grass pollen glistens in the sunlight and beautiful people try to live on their own terms.