Movie spotlight
Song of Norway
Like the play from which it derived, the film tells of the early struggles of composer Edvard Grieg and his attempts to develop an authentic Norwegian national music. It stars Toralv Maurstad as Grieg and features an international cast including Florence Henderson, Christina Schollin, Robert Morley, Harry Secombe, Oskar Homolka, Edward G. Robinson and Frank Porretta (as Rikard Nordraak). Filmed in Super Panavision 70 by Davis Boulton and presented in single-camera Cinerama in some countries, it was an attempt to capitalise on the success of The Sound of Music.
Insights
Plot Summary
The film chronicles the life of Norwegian opera singer Kirsten Flagstad, from her early life and career in Norway to her rise to international stardom at the Metropolitan Opera. It explores her romantic entanglements, personal sacrifices, and the challenges she faced throughout her illustrious career.
Critical Reception
Song of Norway was met with overwhelmingly negative reviews from critics. While some acknowledged the scenic visuals and musical numbers, the majority criticized its lengthy runtime, weak plot, poor acting, and lack of dramatic substance. Audiences also found it to be a tedious and uninspired musical biopic.
What Reviewers Say
Praised for its picturesque Norwegian landscapes and operatic performances.
Heavily criticized for its bloated script and lack of engaging narrative.
Seen as a visually appealing but dramatically hollow musical.
Google audience: Audience reviews are scarce, but existing commentary generally reflects critical sentiment, noting the film's beauty but lamenting its dull storytelling and excessive length.
Fun Fact
The film was shot on location in Norway, utilizing stunning natural scenery to depict the settings of Kirsten Flagstad's early life.
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