Hammarskjöld (2023) User Reviews

moving

[emiliasappar · 8/10 · 25 December 2023]

A very tragic story, portrayed and told by actors with different ranges of skills.

As a swede and someone who did not know the story of Peter Levin, I was sat very confused for many minutes wondering if Levin was supposed to be a swede played terribly by a Dane, or if he actually was danish... The movie could have incorporated that detail a lot sooner in the film to avoid the whole cinema laughing every time he opened his mouth.

I thought the AFX-effects were mediocre, especially the smoke/fire effects. It looked...bad. This is not unusual for swedish productions, but I expected more from this Persbrandt movie.

I also thought the last shot of Dag was an interesting director's choice... It felt a bit underwhelming.

Over-all, I recommend this movie if you want to learn more about what happened to Dag Hammarskjöld and his inner struggles!

History writing of huge importance

[PiotrxxxDenmark · 8/10 · 22 April 2024]

The story of Dag carries the story of Congo, which needs to be told in our present times. The western backed coup and our crimes to the people of Congo were to become significant for the way the western powers for a century have conducted mafia methods to gain and consolidate any sort of capital to rule the globe. Today we can look at huge line of historic and present crimes, and we can look at a huge line of fingerpointing at leaders from countries that does not submit to the western regime.

Congo today is even worse off than the post-Lumumba era; Rwanda-backed rebels are choking the congolese people - and even western editorials ask the western powers to act. But our powers are in business with the proxy wars on Russia, Iran/Syria and China ... so the congolese people will have to be patient. Meanwhile perhaps it's not impossible to do business with the M23 and affiliates. After all, business is business.

Beautiful, abstract and important

[MAXIMUS_747 · 9/10 · 26 December 2023]

This was a really amazing, suspenseful, and uncut movie. A worthy cinematic retelling of the life of Dag Hammarskjöld. Persbrandt is at the pinnacle of his career, and it is very mesmerizing to watch the contrast between his apparent stern and concentrated exterior and his tender and loving interior.

The stage design is excellent. So many breathtaking vistas. Everything from the huge opulent New York to the impoverished villages of the Congo and our lovely Österlen here in Sweden. Amazing contrasts that elevate the movie and give it a wider viewpoint.

The movie wasn't that exciting. Not too much was going on. However, there was depth, curiosity, passion, empathy, and feeling. Everything that is required. Too much focus on action had shifted the focus on a deep & poignant diplomatic conflict to a more James Bond looked like show.

The music in the film is made by Raymond Enoksen. He truly figures out how to depict a feeling of renunciation and strategic halts with his tones. The music really elevates the film, and he does a really great job.

This is a phenomenal depiction of Dag Hammarskjöld and I truly suggest allowing the film an opportunity. You won't be let down.

Keep Hammarskjöld's dream alive

[twantim · 9/10 · 28 January 2024]

The characteristics from Mikael Persbrandt perfectly add to the Dag Hammarskjöld the director wants us to see. No one can stare with his steelblue eyes as demanding as 'Gunvald' Persbrandt can; every inch a gentleman. At the same time, this eccentric diplomat with his poetry and bow tie knows that playing by the book won't bring him anywhere in his struggle to protect the weak and defenseless. Going his own headstrong way doesn't either, but that's his fate, as it is of international law in general. This biopic deserves therefor the same qualifications as Oppenheimer. The time is now for reassessment, before history swallowes the truth in undisclosed archives and fading memory.

A shame for Dag Hammarskjölds legacy

[lucashideg · 2/10 · 26 December 2023]

To make a full length movie about the great negotiator Dag Hammarskjold without having a single scene of him negoatiating is just straight up stupid. Persbrandts performance is really bland and forgettable. The cinamatography and photography is sometimes very nice and scenic, especially some shots of Österlen in Sweden. But overall the movie is dragged down by really bad dialogue and plain acting. You never end up feeling anything for any of the characters and don't really get a sense of who Dag Hammarsköld were. There's so much potential to make a great movie about Hammarsköljd that this movie could'nt deliver on so i really hope this isn't the last movie we see about Dag.

A beautiful Swedish masterpiece of modern film.

[alexanderliljefors · 9/10 · 25 December 2023]

Definitely one of the best ever political thrillers ive seen ! Neverending thrilling!

Amazingly written, very poetic. The soundtrack is beautiful! Amazing cinematography! Filming is fantastic! However Editing fails sometimes, but nothing big.

It really manages to capture both the political person and the human of Dag Hammarskjöld that fought for the freedom he believed in.

Mikael Persbrandt really surprised me with one of his best ever performances of his career.

Deep, artful and a beautiful storytelling and directing. Extremely well put together!

A beautiful Swedish masterpiece of modern film. Hopefully you are watching Swedens contribution for best international film to the Academy Awards. Something very innovative and unique to Swedish film, made with true passion.

Its truly a film that makes you emotional.

A film you will remember! I truly recommend it! A must watch!

Masterful drama

[martinpersson97 · 10/10 · 27 December 2023]

This is definitely one of the best of the year; a highly anticipated biographical drama, by an incredible director, and starring an ever impressive cast. It is already nominated in several prestigious Guldbagge categories, and very much deserving of this Swedish Oscar equailent, to say the least.

It is a very high production value, pretty much Hollywood quality, very beautiful in terms of cutting, shooting and editing. Indeed very professional, and the actors all do an incredible job at conveying the incredible script, Persbrandt, of course, in particular. Very nuanced, subtle and highly emotional from an all-star cast.

Overall, truly an emotional, tragic and overall extremely well written and made rollercoaster of a film. Definitely a highlight of the year, and yet another one in the ever incredible and impressive Swedish filmography. Highly recommended!