The Simple-Minded Murder
| The Simple-Minded Murderer | |
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Swedish cover.
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| Den Enfaldige Mördaren | |
| Directed by | Hans Alfredson |
| Written by | Hasse Alfredson |
| Starring | Stellan Skarsgård Hasse Alfredson Maria Johansson |
| Narrated by | Stellan Skarsgård |
| Music by | Rolf Sersam, Giuseppe Verdi |
| Cinematography | Rolf Lindström, Jörgen Persson |
| Edited by | Jan Persson |
| Distributed by | Svensk Filmindustri (SF) |
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Release date
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Running time
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108 minutes |
| Country | Sweden |
| Language | Swedish |
The Simple-Minded Murderer (Swedish: Den enfaldige mördaren) is a Swedish drama film which was released to cinemas in Sweden on 12 February 1982, directed by Hans Alfredson, starring Stellan Skarsgård, as the feeble-minded Sven Olsson.
The story takes place in 1930's Skåne, Sweden, and focuses on Sven, who is hare-lipped and thus can't speak correctly. Most people consider him stupid, and call him an idiot.
The film begins with Sven and a woman, who we later learn is called Anna, driving an old car across the landscape. The sun is setting, and in the sky Sven sees three angels. He and Anna hide in an old house, and while Anna makes herself comfortable, Sven throws a huge, bloodstained blade into a well. He lies down beside Anna and starts his inner monologue about how it all began.
When Sven's mother died, he was "taken care of" by Höglund (Hans Alfredsson), an evil factory owner who is a member of the local Nazi party, and lives on a farm. Sven must work on Höglund's farm without pay, and sleep among cows in the stables, where he is tormented by a rat. Being very goodhearted, Sven cannot make himself drown the animal once he has caught it, because he simply can't take another life.
Having read the Bible, a gift from his sister, Sven imagines he is visited by three angels from time to time, whom he speaks to in a clear voice, making it clear that this dialog takes place in his own mind. One day he meets the wheelchair-bound Anna (Maria Johansson), whom he falls in love with, and having been mistreated at Höglund's, Sven escapes to Anna's family, who gladly take him in. At Anna's house, Sven is finally treated as an adult. He is given a real bed, gets to work at their own farm, and is paid by Anna's father, Mr. Anderson (Per Myrberg), "in real money", as he points out when Höglund comes and wants to take Sven back to his farm. Although Andersson wins the argument, Sven faints from fear.
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Wikipedia