MISS JULIE Movie Review

Froken Julie

Miss Julie (Anita Björk), a wealthy but confused noblewoman, is irritated and angered by—as well as attracted to—the masculine butler who works for her and her father. It is Midsummer's Eve and a celebration is planned, but Miss Julie is heartbroken over the breaking off of her engagement. To console herself, she carefully plans the seduction of her butler (Ulf Palme), assuring him afterward that she will run away with him. In a series of flashbacks following the seduction, we learn of her background, her mother's attitude toward men, and the incidents in her past that have brought her to this moment. We also discover that Miss Julie finds it impossible to live with the shame of what she's done. This is a lean, strong, and generally superb film, with marvelous performances from Anita Björk and Ulf Palme. Director Alf Sjöberg has captured a nearly unbearable sexual tension while remaining completely faithful to Strindberg's play. Grand Prize, Cannes Film Festival (shared with Miracle in Milan).

NEXT STOP … Torment, Sawdust and Tinsel, After the Rehearsal

1950 90m/B SW Anita Bjork, Ulf Palme, Anders Henrikson. Max von Sydow; D: Alf Sjoberg; W: Alf Sjoberg; C: Goran Strindberg; M: Dag Wiren. Cannes Film Festival ‘51: Best Film. VHS HMV, COL