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Norwegian Christmas Cult Classics

In Norway, like other countries, different content is often broadcast on TV at Christmas than at other times of the year. There are of course many Christmas films, in addition to the daily Christmas calendars mentioned in the previous blog post. There are also a number of films which do not necessarily have Christmas as their theme, but which many Norwegians still associate with Christmas. Several of these are from other countries, but are seen more in Norway than the countries in which they were produced. These have the status of cult classics in Norway.

Tre nøtter til Askepott (1973)

This story is quite similar to the one we know in Disney's Cinderella. It is about the maid who is forced to clean up after her stepmother and stepsister instead of going to the ball to meet the prince. Spoiler alert: she makes it to the ball, becomes the prince's favorite, and rushes off so fast that she forgets her shoe.  This East German and Czechoslovakian co-production Tři oříšky pro Popelku is broadcast on Christmas Eve in Norway, and is actually much more popular in Norway than in its countries of origin. When the original film rolls were to be digitized in 2014, this was financed by Norway. 

The most distinct thing about the version broadcast in Norway is that it is dubbed with Norwegian speech, which is relatively unusual here. The film is not dubbed in the usual way, but with only one man, actor Knut Risan, as all the voices. Of course, this edition should only have been a test reading. For unknown reasons, this became the official version, which is now too popular for anyone to dare to make changes to it.

Grevinnen og hovmesteren (1963)

This German-English sketch from 1963 is broadcast every Christmas Eve on Norwegian television. In the film, the main character the countess – grevinnen - has invited to a party, but she is too old and confused to notice that all the other guests are the same person, namely the butler - hovmesteren.  The sketch is based on a play from the 1920s titled "dinner for one", and is not really about a Christmas celebration, but a New Year's celebration.

If you are going to a Norwegian quiz at Christmas, it is common for questions about this film to be asked. It may be a good idea to write down which soups are served, and the names of the other (imaginary) guests.

Med Grim og Gru (1976)

This musical is a Soviet-French-Romanian co-production. The plot is based on the fairy tale about the wolf and the seven goat kids, performed as a rock'n'roll musical. All the actors are dressed as animals, and it is quite easy to see that many are most used to performing on a large stage. The roles are filled by dancers from the Moscow Circus, the Moscow Ice Ballet and the Bolshoi Ballet

The moral of the story seems to be that if someone threatens to eat your children, you should challenge them to an ice-skating dance-off.

Reisen til julestjernen (1976)

The only cult film on this list that is both Norwegian and where the action is set at Christmas. The story is from a Norwegian play by Sverre Brandt from 1924, and the film adaptation was made 50 years later. There was also a new version in 2012, but it is still the original that most people hold dear.

The story is about Sonja, the princess who does not know that she is a princess, but who is trying to find the star that has disappeared from the sky, which brings great misfortune to the land. The story is complete, with evil counts, jugglers and Santa Claus himself. Definitely worth a watch.

All films are broadcast on linear TV, but are relatively easy to get hold of on various streaming services. Among them, streaming on the National Broadcasting for free is accessible if you are in Norway.

Enjoy the Christmas films, and feel free to say what you thought if you have seen them.