Rölli ja metsänhenki (2001)

Director:

Olli Saarela

Writers:

Ilkka Matila (writer)
Olli Saarela (writer)

Release Date:

21 joulukuu 2001 (Finland)

Genre:

Family | Fantasy

Plot Keywords:

Forest | Fairy Tale | Sequel | Troll

Awards:

3 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Allan Tuppurainen	...	Rölli (as Allu Tuppurainen)
Maria Järvenhelmi	...	Milli Menninkäinen
Peter Franzén	...	Lakeija
Kari Hietalahti	...	Riitasointu
Jussi Lampi	...	Iso
Kalle Holmberg	...	Vaakamestari
Samuli Edelmann	...	Menninkäisten kylänvanhin
Jorma Tommila	...	Röllien kylänvanhin
Gyan Dookie	...	Ryhmy-rölli
Mika Bruun	...	Kärppä-rölli
Jallu Junnilainen	...	Pelle Miljoona-rölli
Veijo Kaikkonen	...	Kauppias-rölli
Janne Karjalainen	...	Kantaja-rölli
Kimmo Korkala	...	Merirosvo-rölli
Antti Launonen	...	Narri-rölli

Also Known As:

Rollo and the Woods Sprite (International: English title)

Runtime:

92 min

Country:

Finland

Language:

Finnish

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Finland:S | Germany:o.Al.

Filming Locations:

Hailuoto, Finland

Company:

Matila Röhr Productions (MRP)

Movie Connections:

Featured in FC Venus (2005)

Soundtrack:

Ison Röllin Laulu

A beautifully filmed fairytale

In a struggle between good, represented by the wood elves, and evil, represented by the trolls, the conflict is reduced to a level that, whilst far from banal, is perfect for family entertainment. Unlike, for example, the Lord of the Ring trilogy, the evil creatures, while scary and aggressive, are also cute and amusing. The elves, on the other hand, capture the fascinating beauty portrayed in that famous trilogy without the overtones of aggression. Every scene involving the elves conveys a harmony of which this beauty is a principal feature. They wish to live their lives without having to battle for their freedom to do so. In the context of a fairytale, this seems to me to be perfectly legitimate. Olli Saarela, the director, displays a feeling for the beauty of natural colours almost as good as Franco Zefferelli in the countryside scenes of La Traviata, and contrasts them well with the darkness of evil.

The film is splendidly supported by the leading actor, Allu Tuppurainen, and actress, Maria Järvenhelmi, who nicely capture the nuances of emotion as both the thematic struggle and their personal relationship follow their twisting course.

There are a few musical interludes, well woven into the storyline, but these do not reach the heights of the visual and narrative aspects of the film.

The whole film exudes a fairytale atmosphere, and evokes an urge to learn how the story unfolds, right up to the very end. It is very good family entertainment.