In some ways it's not hard to see that this is a film of Carl Theodor Dreyer. After all, religion is front and center in many of his pictures as well as his discussing the hypocrisy within it. But, on the other, the film is a comedy of sorts....and comedy and Dreyer are not usually associated with each other. Don't worry...the comedy is very dry and subdued so it still has the Dreyer touch...don't expect a Keystone comedy here!
When the film begins, three young men out of seminary are being tested out to see which one will be the new minister in a small town. Sofren is thrilled when he is selected, as now he and his fiancé will be able to get married...right? Well, no. The appointment has a bizarre clause...one so strange that the story never really made any sense. As a pre-condition, the young man was required to marry the old minister's wife. Odd...but even more ridiculous when she appears to be 4 or 5 decades older than the young man! Yet, he is ambitious and a bit scheming and so he marries her and plans on keeping his fiancé on the side...telling his elderly bride that she is his sister.
The bottom line is that apparently the Danes thought this sort of odd situation comedy was great stuff back in the day. Now, it just seems a bit, well, stupid. Well made...very well made...but stupid.
When the film begins, three young men out of seminary are being tested out to see which one will be the new minister in a small town. Sofren is thrilled when he is selected, as now he and his fiancé will be able to get married...right? Well, no. The appointment has a bizarre clause...one so strange that the story never really made any sense. As a pre-condition, the young man was required to marry the old minister's wife. Odd...but even more ridiculous when she appears to be 4 or 5 decades older than the young man! Yet, he is ambitious and a bit scheming and so he marries her and plans on keeping his fiancé on the side...telling his elderly bride that she is his sister.
The bottom line is that apparently the Danes thought this sort of odd situation comedy was great stuff back in the day. Now, it just seems a bit, well, stupid. Well made...very well made...but stupid.