# Pelle the Conqueror

> 1987 film directed by Bille August

**Wikidata**: [Q370707](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q370707)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pelle_the_Conqueror)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/pelle-the-conqueror

## Summary
Pelle the Conqueror is a 1987 Danish-Swedish drama film directed by Bille August, based on the first two novels of Martin Andersen Nexø's four-volume work. The film tells the story of a young Swedish boy named Pelle and his father who emigrate to Denmark in search of a better life, only to face harsh working conditions and social injustice.

## Key Facts
- Directed by Bille August, a Danish film director born in 1948
- Released on December 25, 1987, with additional release dates in December 1987, December 1988, and March 1989
- Produced by SF Studios, a Swedish film production company founded in May 1899
- Co-production between Denmark and Sweden, two countries in Northern Europe
- Based on Martin Andersen Nexø's novels "Pelle the Conqueror" and "Pelle the Emigrant"
- Genre classified as drama film
- Alternative titles include "Pelle Erobreren" and "Pelle erövraren"
- Has 34 sitelinks on Wikidata

## FAQs
What awards did Pelle the Conqueror win?
Pelle the Conqueror won the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film, the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival, and multiple Bodil Awards including Best Danish Film, Best Actor in a Leading Role, and Best Actor in a Supporting Role. It also received the Golden Globe Award for Best Non-English Language Film and the Guldbagge Award for Best Film.

Who directed Pelle the Conqueror?
Bille August, a Danish film director born in 1948, directed Pelle the Conqueror. He has citizenship in Denmark and has worked in various occupations including film direction.

What is the film about?
Pelle the Conqueror follows the story of a young Swedish boy named Pelle and his father who emigrate to Denmark in the late 19th century seeking a better life. They face harsh working conditions and social injustice as they struggle to survive and build a future in their new country.

## Why It Matters
Pelle the Conqueror is significant as a powerful portrayal of immigration, class struggle, and the human spirit's resilience in the face of adversity. The film brought international attention to Scandinavian cinema and demonstrated the universal appeal of stories about social justice and human dignity. Its success helped establish Bille August as a major international director and showcased the collaborative potential between Danish and Swedish film industries. The film's critical acclaim and numerous awards brought prestige to Scandinavian cinema on the global stage and helped pave the way for future international recognition of Nordic filmmakers.

## Notable For
- Winning the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival, one of the highest honors in international cinema
- Receiving the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film, bringing global recognition to Scandinavian cinema
- Multiple Bodil Award wins, including Best Danish Film and acting awards
- Golden Globe Award for Best Non-English Language Film
- Guldbagge Award for Best Film from the Swedish Film Institute
- Successful co-production between Denmark and Sweden, demonstrating Nordic film collaboration
- Adaptation of Martin Andersen Nexø's influential literary work
- Launch of Bille August's international career as a director

## Body
### Production and Release
Pelle the Conqueror was produced by SF Studios, Sweden's oldest film production company, founded in May 1899. The film represents a significant collaboration between Danish and Swedish cinema industries, with both countries contributing to its production. The film had multiple release dates, premiering on December 25, 1987, with subsequent releases in December 1987, December 1988, and March 1989, indicating a strategic international release strategy.

### Literary Source Material
The film is based on the first two novels of Martin Andersen Nexø's four-volume work "Pelle the Conqueror" (Danish: "Pelle Erobreren"). Nexø's novels are considered classics of Danish literature, exploring themes of social justice, class struggle, and the immigrant experience in late 19th and early 20th century Scandinavia. The adaptation focuses on the formative experiences of young Pelle as he navigates the harsh realities of life as an immigrant worker in Denmark.

### Critical Reception and Awards
Pelle the Conqueror achieved remarkable critical success, winning numerous prestigious awards. The film received the Palme d'Or at the 1988 Cannes Film Festival, one of the most coveted prizes in international cinema. It also won the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film (then called Best Foreign Language Film), bringing significant international recognition to Scandinavian cinema. The film's success at the Bodil Awards, Denmark's most prestigious film awards, included wins for Best Danish Film and multiple acting categories. Additionally, it received the Golden Globe Award for Best Non-English Language Film and the Guldbagge Award for Best Film from the Swedish Film Institute.

### Director and Creative Team
Bille August, born in 1948, directed the film. August has had a distinguished career in Danish cinema and has worked across multiple genres and formats. His direction of Pelle the Conqueror demonstrated his ability to handle complex social themes and period drama, establishing him as an internationally recognized filmmaker. The film's success helped launch August's career on the global stage, leading to subsequent international projects.

### Cultural and Historical Context
Set in the late 19th century, Pelle the Conqueror explores the historical context of Scandinavian emigration and the social conditions of the working class during this period. The film addresses themes of immigration, poverty, exploitation, and the struggle for dignity and justice. By focusing on the experiences of Swedish immigrants in Denmark, the film highlights the shared Nordic experience of social mobility and the challenges faced by working-class families during industrialization.

### Legacy and Impact
The success of Pelle the Conqueror had a lasting impact on Scandinavian cinema and international film culture. The film demonstrated the commercial and artistic viability of Nordic co-productions and helped establish a template for future collaborations between Danish and Swedish filmmakers. Its critical acclaim brought increased attention to Scandinavian literature and history, particularly the works of Martin Andersen Nexø. The film continues to be studied and appreciated for its powerful performances, historical authenticity, and its exploration of universal themes of human dignity and social justice.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093713/)
2. [Source](http://stopklatka.pl/film/pelle-zwyciezca)
3. [Source](http://www.allocine.fr/film/fichefilm_gen_cfilm=37988.html)
4. [Source](http://www.bbfc.co.uk/releases/pelle-conqueror-film)
5. [Source](http://www.interfilmes.com/filme_17747_pelle.o.conquistador.html)
6. [Source](https://europeanfilmawards.eu/en_EN/film/pelle-the-conqueror.4959)
7. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093713/fullcredits)
8. Danish Film Database
9. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze
10. [Source](https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1989)
11. [Source](https://www.europeanfilmacademy.org/European-Film-Awards-Winners-1988.85.0.html)
12. The Movie Database
13. Pelle the Conqueror. Rotten Tomatoes
14. [Source](http://www.sfi.se/sv/svensk-filmdatabas/Item/?itemid=15913&type=MOVIE&iv=Story)
15. [Source](http://www.danskefilm.dk/film/85.html)
16. [Source](http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=pelletheconqueror.htm)
17. [Source](https://www.vdfkino.de/)
18. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
19. europeanfilmawards.eu
20. [Source](https://www.europeanfilmacademy.org/1988.86.0.html)
21. [Source](https://www.kijkwijzer.nl/films/pelle-erobreren/)
22. terjesztesre_kerulo_filmalkotasok_nyilvantartasa.xlsx
23. List of film licenses issued from 1945 to 2020
24. [Source](https://www.cnc.fr/professionnels/visas-et-classification/69042)
25. Online-Filmdatenbank
26. mymovies.it
27. [Source](https://www.acmi.net.au/works/83443)
28. Trakt.tv
29. FilmVandaag.nl