Sampo a.k.a The Day the Earth Froze
Starring: Urho Somersalmi, Ivan Voronov, Anna Orotshko, Andris Oshin, Eve Kivi
Directors: Aleksandr Ptushko, Risto Orko
Suomi-Filmi Oy and Mosfilm, Finland and Soviet Union, 1959
Starring: Urho Somersalmi, Ivan Voronov, Anna Orotshko, Andris Oshin, Eve Kivi
Directors: Aleksandr Ptushko, Risto Orko
Suomi-Filmi Oy and Mosfilm, Finland and Soviet Union, 1959
The Finnish national epic Kalevala (collected by Elias Lönnrot) was made into film with Finnish and Soviet collaboration. In USA it was recut and dubbed into the Day the Earth Froze. The film uses Kalevala's Sampo poems quite loosely.
Lemminkäinen riding a log |
Annikki |
Blacksmith Ilmarinen (Ivan Voronovis) is trying to forge Sampo, a mill that produces salt, grain and prosperity. Evil lady of Northland Louhi(Anna Orotshko) wants Sampo and captures Ilmarinen's sister Annikki (Eve Kivi). Lemminkäinen (Andris Oshin) and heroes of Kalevala go for rescue. Lemminkäinen and
Ilmarinen must survive from the tasks Louhi gives them such as ploughing field full of vipers. Louhi forces Ilmarinen to forge Sampo. After freeing Annikki, Lemminkäinen goes to get Sampo back.
Ilmarinen must survive from the tasks Louhi gives them such as ploughing field full of vipers. Louhi forces Ilmarinen to forge Sampo. After freeing Annikki, Lemminkäinen goes to get Sampo back.
Evil lady of the Northland Louhi |
Ploughing the field of vipers |
Sampo |
Later Louhi steals the Sun. Wise old Väinämöinen (Urho Somersalmi) leads the troops to war playing kantele (traditional harp-like instrument).
Väinämöinen and the army of kantele players |
Sampo (the original version) is a rare Finnish/Russian fantasy gem, and recommended for fans of fantasy movies.
Rating: Very good
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