Reviews

Having read all of Arnaldur Indriðason's novels, I was very pleased when I heard that Baltasar Kormákur was planning to make this film. The press immediately started a sort of a Scarlett O'Hara search, in terms of finding an actor capable of portraying detective inspector Erlendur. When Ingvar Sigurðsson was finally chosen, I must admit that I wasn't that keen, as I felt that he was not at all the right type. Having seen the film now I must admit that I need not have worried. Ingvar Sigurðsson's portrayal of Erlendur is first class throughout, both the bitter and tender aspects of that complex character. All the cast is indeed great, most notable though Atli Rafn Sigurðsson as the grieving father, Ágústa Eva Erlendsdóttir as Eva Lind, Björn Hlynur Haraldsson and Ólafía Hrönn Jónsdóttir, as Erlendur's associates Sigurður Óli and Elínborg, and Theódór Júlíusson as the veteran hooligan Elliði. The cinematography is the best I've seen in any Icelandic film, the editing "par excellence", and the music extremely powerful. One has to give credit to the Reykjavik Police Choir, for the excellent singing. This is a film that everyone has to see, and I'm quite certain that it will scoop up quite a few awards at various film festivals. Keep on at it Baltasar. And hopefully you will bring other novels by Arnaldur Indriðason, such as Grafarþögn and Röddin to the silver screen.

A truly powerful film dealing with one of the many atrocities committed by the catholic church since its foundation. No institution in history holds the comparable responsibility as regards crimes towards mankind as the catholic church. All in the name of Christianity. Catholisicm obviously seems to brainwash its followers, making them incapable of interpreting the message of Christ as he intended. It's about time the Vatikan make amends for the evil deeds done by their servants throughout the ages. It truly amazes me that as late as in the sixties, people in Ireland were so simple and naive, that they actually submitted to the insane and truly evil will of the church to subject their unfortunate daughters to a situation comparable with hell. Being truly moved by this film, it also made me feel proud to be born to the Lutheran Evangelist Church of Iceland.

This film was actually shot at the Rome opera house. It was originally made in black and white but may have been coloured later on. The only singer not acting her own part is Lina Pagliughi, at that time dealing with quite severe weight problems. The cast is very good, Tito Gobbi's interpretation of Rigoletto being quite convincing, although the voice is too light and lacking in darkness for my taste. Mario Filipesci is a tailor-made duke and Giulio Neri, the only true basso profondo ever to emerge from Italy, is simply the greatest Sparafucile of all time. The smaller roles are fairly well cast. The beauty of this production is that here you can see opera as it should be produced. Period, sincere, with commitment, and well sung. Some might complain about the acting, but then again, opera is mainly about the quality of singing. If you want acting, go to the theatre. Rarely you can have both. Trust me as a professional opera singer (basso profondo, this is really a production to enjoy.