Herr Arnes pengar [Sir Arne’s Treasure]

In the 16th century, three Scottish mercenaries escape from prison, murder the inhabitants of a farm and escape with Sir Arne’s treasure. The only survivor, Arne’s niece Elsalill, happens to meet the killers and falls in love with one of them.

This visually striking film was in part inspired by the illustrations of the Finnish painter Albert Edelfelt for Selma Lagerlöf’s novel, particularly the final scene of the funeral procession that made such an impression on Eisenstein. In this film of great pictorial beauty, inner anguish is reflected in the natural elements, with the frozen sea echoing Elsalill’s hopeless suffering.