Anna-Liisa (1945), directed by Orvo Saarikivi and T.J.Särkkä (uncredited) is based on Minna Canth's play.It's the second movie filmed about the classic.The first one was a silent film from 1922 (see my earlier review).Or actually one was filmed in 1911 already but that movie was destroyed in an early stage.The movie has strong performances by each actor.The work of Mervi Järventaus as the tragical main character is unique.You can see the contrition from her face, contrition over what happened four years earlier.She killed her baby.Edvin Laine, the famed director, proves his acting skills as Mikko, the baby's father who has come back to woo Anna-Liisa.Esko Vettenranta is Johannes Kivimaa, to whom Anna-Liisa has devoted herself now.Yrjö Tuominen is Kortesuo, Anna-Liisa's father.Aino Lohikoski is Riikka, the mother.Maire Suvanto is a fantastic child actress who plays the lively little sister Pirkko.The grand old lady Siiri Angerkoski plays Husso, Mikko's mother.Anna-Liisa was the last play by our own Minna Canth (1844-1897).The drama of the play still works today.It does in the play as it does in this movie.
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