Julekongen (Valley of Knights)
Film review
Image courtesy of Films of Norway
GEIR MÆLAND
Films of Norway
There are Christmas films made on low budgets that are not worth spending time on. Valley of Knights is NOT in that category. If you are looking for a Christmas movie with a nice gripping story for the whole family to enjoy, look no further. You have found it.
The title might not trigger your attention. The original title, Julekongen, could have been translated to “King of Christmas,” which would have sounded more interesting, but there must have been reasons they decided to go with the other title.
However, more important is the story we are being told (as in all movies). And when we look at who wrote the story, it is easy to understand why this is a good one.
Lars Gudmestad is definitely one of the best scriptwriters we have in present-day Norway. He seems to have a huge work capacity, writing scripts for TV series and movies. If you ever see his name attached to something, it is worth checking out. He holds the secret of how to tell the story in a way that will excite and grip us as viewers.
The story
Three years earlier, Eiril, was forced to close the portal between our world and the Valley of Knights. She had to do that to keep the kingdom free from evil. Closing the portal also meant that her friendship with Kevin ended, as there could be no contact with the world outside of the kingdom.
Now it is Christmastime, and an unhappy Kevin is working hard to find a way to reopen the portal to the valley to spend time with Eiril. Kevin is known as the “Christmas king” and is loved by the people in the valley, and they would love to have him back.
The evil magician Snerk is seeking a “snow glow,” so he can use the magic in its full capacity. This is important to gain power and rule as a king in the valley.
Eiril is forced to escape, and by accident, she opens the portal and has an accident and is hospitalized. Snerk becomes the ruler of the valley and evil is once again in control.
Kevin and Eiril have to travel back to the valley and save the kingdom from Snerk. Another aspect of the mission is to save Christmas and restore the family happiness.
Conclusion
It is indeed a well-done film. Cinematographer Gaute Gunnari is another top-of-the-line part of this production, and he creates magic with his eye for details and large, eye-catching images. There is a very interesting juxtaposition of today’s time and world with a medieval-like setting, which vividly depicts the time travel of this captivating story.
Happy streaming and happy Christmas!
See the trailer:
Julekongen (Valley of Knights)
Script: Lars Gudmestad and Harald Roensløw Eeg
Director: Thale Persen
Photo: Gaute Gunnari
Producers: Lars Andreas Hellebust and Frederick Howard
Year: 2015
Run time: 93 minutes
Genre: Christmas / Family
Actors: Vetle Qvenlid Werring, Emma Rebecca Storvik, Stella Stenman, Tone Mostraum, Kyrre Hellum, Herborg Kråkevik
Julekongen/Valley of Knights is available for streaming at filmsofnorway.com.
This article originally appeared in the Dec. 17, 2021, issue of The Norwegian American. To subscribe, visit SUBSCRIBE or call us at (206) 784-4617.
