Best movie of this year hands down!

Let's be realistic.

When a movie has you begging for it to end not even half way through it's pure crap. We've all seen this movie and this characters millions of times, nothing new in it. Don't waste your time.

A film with more than the usual spoiler issues. Talking about it in any detail feels akin to handing you a gift-wrapped present and saying, "I hope you like it -- It's a thriller about a diabolical secret experiment."

Sweden may be famous for a lot of things, but when it comes to cinema it isn't exactly the first country that comes to the minds of most of us. I know very little of Swedish cinema and I am not Swedish myself, so I'm probably not the right person to speculate on this, but it seems to me that even if Swedish films achieve success in their native country, outside they are largely unknown. This is a world and society much too focused on the always and eternally popular American cinema.This is deservedly one of the most famous Nordic films, as well as an fabulous mix of visual art. The beginning is in black and white, however colored in sepia tone - like in 'The Wizard of Oz' (1939). The fantasy sequences are colored, which means that most of it is like that. The ending is in black and white (this time the classic black and white, without sepia tone).This is a very artistic movie in other aspects as well. The cinematography is one of the most beautiful and magical I know. No need to say more, images speak for themselves and there is nothing like seeing with your very own eyes and get stunned.This starts off as a sad story about a cute 9-year old boy, Karl Lejon ("Skorpan"), who is dying from tuberculosis. His much older brother Jonatan promises him that someday they'll meet in a magical land named Nangijala. During a house fire, the older brother dies and the younger dies of terminal illness shortly after being rescued. Then, the movie "jumps" literally into the dreamy land and almost the rest of the thing takes place there. The two brothers are there, as the older promised (now as Jonatan and Karl or "Skorpan" Lejonhjärta). They live adventures, fight against evil knights and become local heroes.This touching film rightfully won an award for Best Direction in its country. No wonder Swedes are so found of this one. Unfortunately, like so many other really good movies, it's really hard to find. These so-hard-to-find movies deserve simpler access, to be better known and to be discovered/rediscovered.Lars Söderdahl is terrific as "Skorpan". Staffan Götestam is excellent as Jonatan. Allan Edwall has the same level of excellence as Mattias. The dragon Katla is clearly mechanical, which you can tell by the primitive animation and walrus-like, awful appearance. But it certainly intimidates.One final word for the soundtrack. The main theme is strong, emotional and beautiful. Combines well with the film's mood. The rest of the soundtrack too.I have no idea what is the title of this in my country.

I don't know what the author was thinking when she wrote this book.The story is dark and grim, but the underline is even more horrifying. If your life sucks then kill your self and you'll wake up in a land of fairy tales. If you don't like it there, then just kill your self once more and wake up in an even better place. Because if you don't commit suicide.. then your'e nothing but crap.The message is repeated and underlined throughout the whole film.The acting is bad. Special effects is as bad. Costumes are bad. Directing is bad. And there's some kind of perverse sexual glimmer over the whole thing that makes you shiver.But I give the movie a couple of stars for trying something very different.

When I was a child, I saw movies fit for a child. However, there are some movies that appeal to all ages. And even if brother Lionheart is a movie designed for kids, it have a huge influence on all ages. And definitely on me! Since I saw this movie for the first time 18 years ago, I have never forgot it it. Its story is still as clear with me as any movie I have seen this week. It is A drama, its story shows a heartbreaking history, between two brothers, and one who is very sick.This story is the best this world have ever offered! Astrid Lindgren have time after time been hinted for Nobels Prize in Litterature, and the Director of this movie gives the story from her books among the best transfers from book to video ever! Americans makes among the world best movies! But compared to this movie, Its actors, and its director - all the Americans have to see themselves beaten! Compared to Astrid Lindgrens and Olle Hellboms "Brother Lionheart" They are all amateurs! See this with your children! But bring Lots of napkins!

Maybe it's hard for people outside of Sweden to fully understand what this movie has meant to Swedes through the years. You would especially think so after reading the other comment which compares "Bröderna Lejonhjärta" to Ingmar Bergman - HELLO?!? We do have other directors than Bergman and to compare him to "Bröderna Lejonhjärta" is like comparing "American Pie" to Spike Lee or something. Please don't think you know EVERYTHING about swedish moviehistory just because you've heard of Bergman, there is so much more to it and this movie has virtually nothing in common with Bergman's work. I am also sorry if people are too destroyed by American blockbusters and can't handle the fact that this movie is for an audience of youngsters and that it's about death. I must also say that grown-ups as well as kids can enjoy this movie. It's very good to see with your children to then discuss it afterwards.Astrid Lindgren was without comparison Swedish literature's queen and when she died last year it seemed like we couldn't stop mourning. "Bröderna Lejonhjärta" ("The Lionheart Brothers") was maybe one of her most important books, because it handles such heavy subjects in such a great way. When Olle Hellbom's movie came in 1977 it caused a mediastorm Sweden had never seen before. First of all it had a completely new way of speaking to kids about death; a movie that took children seriously and didn't treat them like they could handle only joy and happiness.Second of all, back in those days the only agelimits on cinemas were 15, 11 and under. They made "Bröderna Lejonhjärta" available only to people over 11 and this caused such a storm that they actually changed the swedish law so that a new agelimit came at 7! All this over one movie.You can't understand how many kids have found comfort in this story. To children that are about to die you read this novel or show this movie and I don't know how often you read the inscription "We'll see eachother in Nangijala" on gravestones in Swedish cemeteries.This movie was groundbreaking and it's often wrongfully accused of being too dark and strange. Children can handle a lot more than you think when it comes to strong emotions like love and loss. The only thing that scared me as a kid was the sometimes graphic violence in the end. See this if you have a chance!