User Reviews

It has been many years since I've seen "The Apple War," but it still sticks in my mind as one of the cleverest, sweetest films I've ever seen.

If I remember correctly, the sequence with Mr. Von Sydow dancing to the beat of his drum was truly something to behold (and certainly very well done).

I'm really sorry that it doesn't seem to be available on tape or DVD.

I loved this film when I first saw it in Seattle at the Egyptian Moore Theater in 1972. The Moore used to run this film regularly, and there was as much a cult following for this film as for Rocky Horror.

Great fun, with giants and other magical bits and pieces conspiring to rid their town of a corporative nightmare, "Deutschneyland, a gigantic amusement park for German tourists." Gentle fun and a lot of laughs.

Although not available on DVD (though I once found a bootleg copy dubbed in German on VHS!), The Apple War would be welcomed by a lot of folks, as would other films of this era, such as "Cat and Mouse" by Claude LeLouch, "The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin," "No, Actually," and many, many others. There were a lot of terrific films and television series made in the 1970s, just prior to video becoming a household commodity, and I feel sure there is a ready market on couches around the world just waiting for their release.

This is a joyful film, a celebration of life, and just a lot of fun. I remember it from the '70s, when our local art house showed it -- and my wife and I must have seen it a half dozen times. I'd still love to get a video copy (with English subtitles!). This is probably the most fun way, bar none, to get a glimpse into Norse mythology, while also saving the Swedish countryside. It is only ironic that this movie pre-dates EuroDisney by, oh, a couple decades! This film sings -- and the music is part of the fun. This makes you believe in life and love again.

I saw Apple War, or Appelkriget, in the early 70's when it was showing at a university area theater. I probably went 4 times, and every time I saw the same thing: every single attendee left with a huge smile on his or her face. I've never experienced a movie that has had that affect on the entire audience. I just wish I could find a copy of this gem to see again. I can't believe that it would have lost its charm or glamour, and my life, and those of my friends, could use a little unadulterated joy.

This film is perhaps the most charming soap bubble I've ever encountered. I saw theaters full of disenchanted college students leave with the broadest of smiles on their faces and a sense that cynicism might not be the eternal verite after all. Add to that the most delightful images imaginable and you have a film not to be missed by any but the most hardened of hearts.

I too saw this film in the 1970s at the Venice Fox, which was then an art house and which has now been re-purposed for auctions or something. They screened it for a week; it was some sort of benefit, and I remember going a second time and dragging a few friends with me. It remains one of my all-time favorite films. My Swedish friend, Lennart, says that it is fairly well-known in Sweden and remains popular--it's a lot of fun but it's also a piece of devastatingly targeted agit-prop. I've been searching for it, on and off, since I saw it, in the face of blank stares from the vast majority of Americans, who have never heard of it, and even from clerks in independent video stores, who think I'm nuts. If only someone would make a DVD with English-language subtitles!

If a movie can be a national anthem, this movie is it - for Swedes and Sweden. Comics Tage and Hasse hit every note right in this remarkable and "lucky" movie. When "Äppelkriget" is shown in Svenska Ord festivals - the whole country turns out. Maybe you have to be Swedish to fully appreciate this wonderful flick - but with music by national bard Evert Taube and a magnificent cast, this movie simply cannot fail!

One of my all-time favorite movies. With the great Jazz-singer Monica Zetterlund in a leading role.. Hasse&Tage have a genuine way to tell a story. This is a warm political satire from 70s Sweden. Absurd, warm, witty, magic, yeahh! Don't miss it!

Anglamark, a rural Swedish town, must become an amusement park, called Deutschnyland. At least, that is the aim of Tore Gustafsson, the entrepreneur of the town. 'It means lots, lots of money. And, finally, we can put this castle on fire.' A rebellious man, a peasant woman with magical powers and an inventor try to thwart the project.

The Apple War is a witty low budget film, which charms the viewer using inventive solutions and enthusiastic actors. It is the kind of creative 'special effect' that nowadays is used by Michel Gondry. The PR man with a growing hat, actually becoming as big as himself. A Stonehenge-like structure changed into a casino.

It is not at all the straightforward satire you might expect, actually quite the opposite. You can describe this as a fairy tale with satirical elements. This makes way for bizarre and unpredictable interludes, as the episode with three simple-minded brothers (Max von Sydow just two years before his big break with The Exorcist). The scene with the man who has a beard that grows against the walls. Or the scene with the peeing giant.

However, the film remains satirical until the end. And you might even call this film prophetic. The Gustafsson's are the boss in this modern day and age. Everywhere you see them destroy beautiful things in order to build their Deutschnylands. 'Old motherland will be... future motherland!' One of the main reasons I think that this film is so enjoyable: it is made with confidence. Director Tage Danielsson and Hans Alfredson were comedians who worked together on films and TV shows since 1956, so they were well experienced in 1971.

I loved this film and recommend this everyone who enjoys obscure and original cinema. I rate it 8/10.

I, like everyone who has ever seen this movie in an art house in the U.S. has fond memories of this film. And yes, it is not available in this country either in English or subtitled in English.

BUT, for die-hards, there is a small sliver of hope. The film (and 3 others are available from a Scandinavian import house. Sorry, only in Swedish or Norwegian. If interested, go to www.skandimport.com. You can order this film and 3 others for the sum of $21.00. Very reasonable.

Unfortunately, I have no idea whether or not the other three films are at the level of the Apple Wars, but if you speak Swedish or Norwegian you may be in for a treat.

Remembering my viewing in Seattle of this film and watching Appelkriget on DVD, it was still a very pleasurable afternoon.

I saw Appelgriget (The Apple War) in the 70's with a group of friends and everyone LOVED it. It's a magical, timeless spoof on the battle between innocent generosity and greedy ambition that typically leads to war. This bloodless war is hilarious and leaves the audience cheering with delight and satisfaction. A MUST SEE!!! Best movie ever! Though it is a classic, it sadly is unavailable. I've been searching for years to see it again and share it with our kids and their friends. The Apple War would be a wonderful addition to any movie collection. Is there any chance this will be released on DVD with subtitles? It seems to have gotten lost in the Bermuda Triangle of movie classics, but as it is a timeless, funny masterpiece, it will hopefully become available to a troubled world that could use a great laugh and a message of hope with just a touch of magic.

This is a fabulous movie, and one that seems to have disappeared completely, at least from this country. I saw this movie in college, long ago and it was a wonderful surprise. It is along the same lines as 'Waking Ned Devine', full of oddball characters, a small isolated town, and the impingement of the outside world. If you can find this movie, count yourself lucky.

This is not a serious movie, and it's not quite ART, but it is very imaginative and has much to do with the Swedish culture, their sense of what's right, and their myths and legends. I was instantly charmed and nearly rolling on floor in fits of laughter. I highly recommend this movie.

I love this movie! I too saw it in Portland Oregon in the 70's. The movie became my #1 favorite and it's unfortunate that others have not seen it.

The assortments of characters in the film were each so delightful in their own way. I'm hoping to locate a copy with English subtitles so that I can share it with others and be delighted just as I was the first time when I viewed it.

A standard on the 70s art house film scene, long unavailable... thank you movie detective for making the film available to a new generation