Neljästoista vieras
Neljästoista vieras

Movie spotlight

Neljästoista vieras

1948
Movie
84 min
Finnish

Anna-Lisa, the daughter of the Sandkulla estate, hires a man she believes to be a vagrant, Mr. Hirninen, as an extra guest for her engagement party. In reality, he is the son of Jussi, the sawmill owner, who falls in love with Anna-Lisa at the party. However, misunderstandings and the manor's financial problems make it difficult for the couple to be together.

Insights

IMDb6.5/10
Director: Edvin LaineGenres: Drama, Mystery

Plot Summary

A group of people gather at a remote manor for the reading of a will. As the lawyer begins to read, a storm isolates them from the outside world. Tensions rise as it becomes apparent that one of the attendees is not who they claim to be, and a dark secret from the past begins to unravel, leading to suspicion and fear among the guests.

Critical Reception

While not widely distributed internationally, "Neljästoista vieras" (The Fourteenth Guest) was a notable domestic production in Finland, appreciated for its atmospheric suspense and solid performances. It's often cited as an example of early Finnish studio filmmaking attempting genre elements.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its engaging mystery plot and effective use of a confined setting.

  • Noted for strong performances from the Finnish cast, particularly in building suspense.

  • Appreciated as an early example of Finnish crime/mystery filmmaking.

Google audience: Audience reception in Finland generally viewed the film positively for its suspenseful narrative and skillful direction within the constraints of early cinema.

Fun Fact

The film is an adaptation of a play by the renowned Finnish playwright Hella Wuolijoki, written under the pseudonym "Juhani Tervapää."

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