Tender and tragic
8/10
Author: (mseymour@proofmark.com) from United States
11 February 2008

*** This review may contain spoilers ***

I saw this film first run when I was living in Stockholm. The story and the characters, particularly the actress playing the title role, have haunted me ever since. A bittersweet film, it's well worth watching. It's very pretty, with great images and a good story. Apparently it's based on a true story. The classic line is when the title character chides her soldier lover. She says to him: "War isn't parades, Sixten. It's the smell of burning flesh." Nearly thirty years on, I still remember her voice... Without spoiling the ending, let's just say that there's a reason that it's a bittersweet and not just a sweet film. I hope you enjoy it like I did.