What can one say? I don't know how many times I have spent watching Fanny & Alexander. Started at the premier in 1982 (when I worked at Sandrews), and the last 10 years or so after recording the 5.12 hour version. By the way, I would really recommend everybody to concentrate on the long version, since there are simply to many great scenes cut away in the 3 hour one. Its always hard to describe in words what makes this movie, that little extra, but I think it simply got to do with that everything is perfect. Script, personal characters, performance of the actors and so on. In its way its also a movie perfect to see again and again. You always find something new to discuss. Like what is Alexander's dream about, how do they succeed in kidnapping the kids, what really happens between Alexander and Ishmael, and so on? But you can simply forget all about that end enjoy this masterpiece. If I had to pick my favorite scene I think it would be the one when Gustaf-Adolf and Carl Ekdahl is having a meeting with the Bishop, trying to convince him to return Emely. I also heard that this scene is described by Borje Ahlstedt as the best he ever made, and then remember that also Jan Malmsjo and Jarl Kulle is performing at the top and the structure and dialog and the physiological undertones are perfect, what more is there to say? Many people go back to the bible to find piece and understanding. In my case I use Fanny and Alexander, it simply that good.
Review of Fanny and Alexander
