Movie Review: The Bothnians (Pohjalaisia)

The Bothnians (Pohjalaisia)
Starring: Oiva Soini, Simo Kaario, Aino Lohikoski, Kaisa Leppänen, Einar Rinne, Thorild Bröderman
DIrector: Jalmari Lahdensuo
Suomi-Filmi, Finland, 1925 (restored in 2012 by Kansallinen audiovisuaalinen arkisto)

Artturi Järviluoma's play Pohjalaisia was first filmed as a silent film in 1925. In Ostrobothnia "people are great in goodness but also powerful in badness." In the 19th century there were the ruffians "knife junkers" or "Häjyt", the religious people and those who just work hard. Jussi Harri (Oiva Soini) is one of the latter, the farmer boy and very strong. Jussi's sister Maija (Kaisa Leppänen) is in love with Jussi's friend Antti (Einar Rinne).

The plains of Ostrobothnia

Jussi Harri, the strong farmer

Maija Harri, Jussi's sister

The sheriff (Thorild Bröderman) likes to humiliate the peasants. Ruffian Shoemaker insults Maija so Antti throws Shoemaker through window. The sheriff arrests Antti for such triviality. The shoemaker fakes he is dying and Antti is sent to jail. At home Maija gets a religious awakening. The sheriff comes to disperse the prayer meeting.

Antti in jail cell

Jussi getting angry with the evil sheriff

Antti falls in love with Liisa (Aino Lohikoski) who is the foster daughter of Harri family. At Harri house Erkki Harri, father of Jussi and Maija arranges dance ball. The ruffians come to crash the party. Jussi wrestles with their leader Kyösti (Yrjö Somersalmi). Jussi wins and Kyösti turns out to be quite decent man. Antti escapes and sheriff accuses Jussi for helping Antti which leads to tragic consequences.

The ruffians come to crash the party

Liisa and Jussi

There is a lot of symbolism of Finland's independence process with the Finns willing to live free from oppression. There is a strong sense of honour codes. The film is slow at times but the outdoor scenes are dynamic. Also the new music track works well.

Rating: Good