Koskenlaskijan morsian (1923) - full transcript
Herr Erkki Karu is considered one of the most important silent pioneers and a key figure in the Finnish silent film history; he founded "Suomi-Filmi," the most important Finnish film production company until the mid 20's of the last century and was the director of two successful and famous silent films for that cold country, "Koskenlaskijan Morsian" ( The Logroller's Bride ) (1923) and "Nummisuutarit" ( The Village Shoemakers ) (1923), the latter coming soon to the Schloss theatre!."Koskenlaskijan Morsian" besides being a successful film in Herr Karu's country, was the first Finnish silent film that had a widespread international circulation outside such freezing borders and certainly the film deserved such interest inside or outside Finland as this Herr Von is going to explain right now.The film is set in the small village of Nuottaniemi wherein lives Herr Iisakki and his daughter Hanna. Herr Iisakki has grudge against Herr Heikki, blaming him for the death of his son in a raft accident. To make things worse Herr Heikki's son, Herr Juhani, wants to marry Frau Hanna but she only has eyes for a lumberman named Herr Anti Koskenalustan?The film depicts the daily and close life in Nuottaniemi, a small place where everyone depends on the river and in the countryside where elderly, hard-working and pious people live under the heavy influence of the preacher. Many of the latter scenes are filmed indoors in a theatrical way and with a static camera. Still, the oppressive atmosphere of jealousy, suspicion, old feuds and resentment are very well captured by Herr Karu. These sequences have nothing in common with the outdoor scenes, especially the ones set in the river rapids where there are some dazzling and shocking moments, brilliantly achieved (especially considering the technical resources of the time) with Herr Karu using many camera angles. The rough daily hard work of the men in the rafts is shown with invigorating imagery and the scene of the rescue of a raft caught in the rapids is thrilling and shocks modernen audiences.There are some minor flaws such as occasional overacting (though not by the charming Frau Heid Blafiled as Hanna or Herr Konrad Tallroth as her father) but these don't override the many merits of what is an excellent example of the virtuosity that can be found in many early Nordic films.And now, if you'll allow me, I must temporarily take my leave because this German Count must go down to the troublesome Teutonic river waters.Herr Graf Ferdinand Von Galitzien http://ferdinandvongalitzien.blogspot.com
THE RAFTER?S BRIDE
Based on the novel by V?in? Kataja
Direction
Photography
Sets
Produced by
That Heikki of Paloniemi was the helmsman when
the raft crashed into the rock face, drowning all men
in the back, my only son Niilo Iisakki amongst them.
"How are you managing here? Have you
not heard from Paloniemi?
"I am doing all right. They were going to send
in some help from Paloniemi but I sent
word that there?s no need.
Mother Anna
The famous preacher of North Bothnia, Kero-Pieti.
Juhani of Paloniemi who, it was rumoured, would
soon be proposing to Hanna of Nuottaniemi.
"My young sister ? has the Lord a
place in your heart?"
"Your bygone mother was a
true child of God."
"Iisakki, my brother, how is your faith? Have
you had the strength to resist temptation?"
"You have hardened your heart. The Lord has
given you a heavy burden ? your only son
drowned ? drowned as a disbeliever.
"Your neighbour has forgiven you everything,
and wants to make better your friendship
that has grown cold."
"May the great mercy and boundless love of
our Creator prevail over all of us."
Heikki of Paloniemi, who was a known true Christian
got elated, and started preaching too.
"And most of all, we must live in mutual love
and harmony, and not in hate and jealousy."
"The master of Paloniemi surely has a clear
conscience. In vain did I and father blame
him for the drowning of Niilo Iisakki."
"Hanna, do you have something particular against
me as you are often so curt towards me?"
It was midnight. Everyone was in bed except
Iisakki and the preacher who were engaged
in conversation."
"So, let me know why it is that you hold a grudge
towards your brother, Heikki of Paloniemi?"
"I am not in a mood now to discuss my
relationship with him."
Hanna too was sleepless.
"Kero-Pieti may be explaining to father that Heikki
is without blame. Tomorrow would be a great day
of reconciliation ?Juhani may come ?"
Hanna felt pity towards Juhani, but not love ? no,
for deep in her heart another image lingered
? for a long time already.
It was Antti of Koskenalusta.
"I am on my way to Lapland to fell trees."
"Do remember me there."
"I will remember you
? Always."
"I will be back on the first rafts, and
then it will be springtime."
"He is quite the skier that Antti
of Koskenalusta."
She was badly waiting for
spring to arrive.
"We?ll soon be in late winter."
"Hanna, for how long still will
you keep me waiting?"
"I did ask you to give me time till
autumn to consider."
There was no word from Antti all winter, and
Juhani kept pressing. But then, one morning?
"You are daughter Hanna of this Nuottaniemi
house? I have some news from the timber forest,
and a letter for you."
"There are a couple of boys from this
village working there too."
"Right. Antti of Koskenalusta sends
greetings. He is doing well, he is one
of the top men."
Many, many a time had she read Antti?s letter,
but whenever she felt a longing in her mind
she would read it again.
I am writing this in a dark shelter, and the men are
telling stories around me. I am thinking about you
and the marvellous summer.
? ? Then, last summer, my happiest moment
was to feel the gentle touch of your hand ? ?
? If only we could spend more happy summer
evening moments together ?
"Reconciliation might happen soon. Heikki has a
young handsome son Juhani, a true Christian
who loves your daughter Hanna."
"He may be in love. But that is something
for the young ones to decide."
"Has Heikki asked you to be his spokesman
and to thank Juhani with this?"
"Evil is your heart, iisakki."
"Peace of the Lord ?"
? I heard your father and Heikki be reconciliating,
but I shall believe till the end of my days
that had Heikki not delayed his rowing
command, your brother would still be alive ?
? I wonder if you will remember me as you vowed,
and will you wait till the summer when we will be at
the shores of Nuottaniemi with the rafts?
After the sermons at Paloniemi.
"My sermons have thus far given
me credibility."
"Merciful Lord be praised if the ties of friendship
between these neighbours I may strengthen.
Speak your heart."
"Iisakki, my brother, I know that your feelings have
gone cold since your son Niilo was drowned on
the raft I was helmsman of."
"I hereby swear, in the presence of a
preacher, that I am innocent."
"I talked with my father about the drowning of Niilo
Iisakki, and he swears that he himself does not
know how the accident happened."
"Why have you not offered an explanation earlier
so I wouldn?t have hated you without cause
? I am sincerely sorry for my demeanour."
"I for one believe my father innocent, and
suggest that already at Midsummer,
we will be wed."
"It seems we hated the people of
Paloniemi unjustly."
"What if Heikki?s explanation is only accepted
by the preacher and you?"
"Heikki is a true Christian, he could
not speak an untruth."
"Did Heikki make any mention
of Juhani?"
"He said: my son is in love with your daughter,
we both would overjoyed to see
the Lord unite them."
"But that surely is up to us two."
"I am, too, of the same opinion."
When Kero-Pieti had left, normal life at Nuottaniemi
resumed. The rafts were being eagerly awaited,
and Hanna would often stroll through the
pine woods to the lake bank.
Villagers from Paloniemi came to stay at
Nuottaniemi for the duration of the rafting.
"Listen Juhani, just in these vast forests of
Nuottaniemi lies an immense fortune."
Suddenly, the first cry was heard:
Here come the first rafts!
Even from afar Hanna could see that there
was no man resembling Antti on the raft.
As soon as they had attached the rafts,
the men started towards Nuottaniemi
"There will be more rafts arriving
tonight already."
"Yes, I was waiting him
? for several reasons."
All day long, more rafts kept arriving.
"Greetings again from North Bothnia. Antti
too is on his way down from there
on the next raft."
"Your beds have been moved
to the outbuilding."
As the others were having a rest, Hanna
was restlessly waiting for Antti.
Hanna recognised Antti. Her heart
started throbbing with joy.
"Greetings from the Higher lands!"
"I am glad that the Lord has guarded you on
your way, and you return in good health."
"Come, invite Antti in for something to eat. I am
sure he would appreciate a bit of rest inside."
"Going down the Korpikoski rapids is up to me
and Juhani then, as you Iisakki intend to
forgo helmsmanship."
"I consider Antti of Koskenalusta brave and
observant. He will become a fine helmsman."
"We?ll give him a try this summer but I am
of the opinion that he will fail."
"Did you take for real what was said about
me and Juhani of Paloniemi?"
"Hearing about it I thought: Hanna will not deceive,
nor lie, would not have held my hand asking to
remember her, if she had thought about another."
"I shall not deceive you, I shall not lie, and
I have never thought about anyone else."
"You must talk to father about Niilo Iisakki. He
will best believe you because you too were
on that raft."
"Heikki is claiming his innocence, and
your father believes it?"
"I?ll talk to him as soon as we
can do that in private."
"And Iisakki too treated Antti like he
were his best own son."
"Antti shall share the destiny of Niilo
Iisakki. I will get rid of him."
"I must be clever. Juhani is to be on the same raft.
Then nobody will suspect ? will have no reason to
suspect. ?I?ll go straight into to the gorge of hell.
The rapids hold their tongue.
"And now off to the rapids boys!"
"Let?s make an additional helmsman from Antti
so the responsibility would not lie solely on
Juhani and myself."
"That?s true. Antti is very observant in the
rapids. He?s been shooting down them
from a very tender age."
"You?ll start by coming along with myself and
Juhani, first as a rower. We need more
helmsmen now.
"We?ll finish lunch first."
"I am not afraid, I could have done this
last summer, and even earlier."
At the speed of an arrow, guided by Iisakki?s
steady hand, the raft sped past dangerous
rocks to aid those at foaming peril.
"Row hard men, row hard!"
Hanna knew that father and the men were
doing their best but the rapids mockingly
took a swirling hold of the raft.
"Father, help!"
"And my son too!"
"A new effort must be made. We must steer
the raft straight at the rock face."
"Are there any of you rowing men?"
"Cowards and scoundrels,
that?s what you are!"
The men had to fight all the night
amidst the foaming rapids.
But Hanna did not take a moment?s rest. At her
suggestion, the raft was divided into two parts
so it could be steered directly at the rock face.
"Do you intend to join us?"
"I do. My life has no more value
than anyone else?s."
"Will the rapids that I so love, be the
doom of my both children."
"Take course at the rock face!"
The raft skidded the rock, and in an
instant were the men safe.
Safe!
"Steer towards the right waterway!"
As the raft was floating down the calmer
waters, the men and Hanna relaxed and
bursted with an overwhelming joy of life.
Antti?s home.
"Hanna is s veritable daughter of his father,
just as brave as he was in his days.
"Who?s counting! One rapids takes so many,
another more. Who knows which ones of us will
be taken, and we won?t be missed for long.
To the waters, men!"
"Are you saying that Heikki intended to wipe
out Antti the same way he did your dead son?"
"Everything Heikki does is premeditated,
that?s what I believe, so help me God!"
"I am also sure of that. He was helmsman
when Niilo Iisakki drowned."
"And I always believed Heikki to be a true Christian.
The Lord works in mysterious ways."
"It is her the men have to thank
for saving their lives."
Iisakki felt a deeper love for his
child than ever before.
"And one jumped in the rapids while the
others were shouting we?re doomed!"
Time passed ?. Antti was now a helmsman
at Korpikoski and lived at Nuottaniemi.
"I?ve been thinking, Antti. You should stay
on with us for the summer."
"I am not afraid of him, I have never wished him
ill. But I cannot help loving you and always
wanting to love you."
"Do you know what your
father told me?"
"He said he needed more men for the fields
and that I should stay for the summer ?
if I can agree on that with you."
"Antti!"
"One jumped in the rapids while the
others were shouting we?re doomed!"
"I cannot hate him, I pity him, having lost
everything, his father, home, you, and
finally his mind."
On a Sunday, Kero-Pieti arranged a
revival meeting at Nuottaniemi.
"Was it his father drowning, or losing Hanna
that drove Juhani to insanity? Antti thinks it is
due to the perils at Varsankallio.
"Although we do not know what the Lord
means by these terrible accidents, our faith
tells us that Heikki of Paloniemi ? ?"
"You are saying ?earth to earth? even though in the rapids
you drowned ? ?"
"Did you see where he went?
Ran into the rapids, did he?"
"Hanna!"
"One jumped in the rapids while the
others were shouting ? ?"
"? we?re doomed!"
"We come too late."
Kero-Pieti categorically stopped arranging
revival meetings any more.
"I cannot grasp the meaning of the Lord. Mysterious
are the ways of the Lord. It feels like all the
misfortune in Paloniemi is my fault."
"May God?s peace be with you!"
Translation by Mikko Kuutti / KAVI, 2020
Based on the novel by V?in? Kataja
Direction
Photography
Sets
Produced by
That Heikki of Paloniemi was the helmsman when
the raft crashed into the rock face, drowning all men
in the back, my only son Niilo Iisakki amongst them.
"How are you managing here? Have you
not heard from Paloniemi?
"I am doing all right. They were going to send
in some help from Paloniemi but I sent
word that there?s no need.
Mother Anna
The famous preacher of North Bothnia, Kero-Pieti.
Juhani of Paloniemi who, it was rumoured, would
soon be proposing to Hanna of Nuottaniemi.
"My young sister ? has the Lord a
place in your heart?"
"Your bygone mother was a
true child of God."
"Iisakki, my brother, how is your faith? Have
you had the strength to resist temptation?"
"You have hardened your heart. The Lord has
given you a heavy burden ? your only son
drowned ? drowned as a disbeliever.
"Your neighbour has forgiven you everything,
and wants to make better your friendship
that has grown cold."
"May the great mercy and boundless love of
our Creator prevail over all of us."
Heikki of Paloniemi, who was a known true Christian
got elated, and started preaching too.
"And most of all, we must live in mutual love
and harmony, and not in hate and jealousy."
"The master of Paloniemi surely has a clear
conscience. In vain did I and father blame
him for the drowning of Niilo Iisakki."
"Hanna, do you have something particular against
me as you are often so curt towards me?"
It was midnight. Everyone was in bed except
Iisakki and the preacher who were engaged
in conversation."
"So, let me know why it is that you hold a grudge
towards your brother, Heikki of Paloniemi?"
"I am not in a mood now to discuss my
relationship with him."
Hanna too was sleepless.
"Kero-Pieti may be explaining to father that Heikki
is without blame. Tomorrow would be a great day
of reconciliation ?Juhani may come ?"
Hanna felt pity towards Juhani, but not love ? no,
for deep in her heart another image lingered
? for a long time already.
It was Antti of Koskenalusta.
"I am on my way to Lapland to fell trees."
"Do remember me there."
"I will remember you
? Always."
"I will be back on the first rafts, and
then it will be springtime."
"He is quite the skier that Antti
of Koskenalusta."
She was badly waiting for
spring to arrive.
"We?ll soon be in late winter."
"Hanna, for how long still will
you keep me waiting?"
"I did ask you to give me time till
autumn to consider."
There was no word from Antti all winter, and
Juhani kept pressing. But then, one morning?
"You are daughter Hanna of this Nuottaniemi
house? I have some news from the timber forest,
and a letter for you."
"There are a couple of boys from this
village working there too."
"Right. Antti of Koskenalusta sends
greetings. He is doing well, he is one
of the top men."
Many, many a time had she read Antti?s letter,
but whenever she felt a longing in her mind
she would read it again.
I am writing this in a dark shelter, and the men are
telling stories around me. I am thinking about you
and the marvellous summer.
? ? Then, last summer, my happiest moment
was to feel the gentle touch of your hand ? ?
? If only we could spend more happy summer
evening moments together ?
"Reconciliation might happen soon. Heikki has a
young handsome son Juhani, a true Christian
who loves your daughter Hanna."
"He may be in love. But that is something
for the young ones to decide."
"Has Heikki asked you to be his spokesman
and to thank Juhani with this?"
"Evil is your heart, iisakki."
"Peace of the Lord ?"
? I heard your father and Heikki be reconciliating,
but I shall believe till the end of my days
that had Heikki not delayed his rowing
command, your brother would still be alive ?
? I wonder if you will remember me as you vowed,
and will you wait till the summer when we will be at
the shores of Nuottaniemi with the rafts?
After the sermons at Paloniemi.
"My sermons have thus far given
me credibility."
"Merciful Lord be praised if the ties of friendship
between these neighbours I may strengthen.
Speak your heart."
"Iisakki, my brother, I know that your feelings have
gone cold since your son Niilo was drowned on
the raft I was helmsman of."
"I hereby swear, in the presence of a
preacher, that I am innocent."
"I talked with my father about the drowning of Niilo
Iisakki, and he swears that he himself does not
know how the accident happened."
"Why have you not offered an explanation earlier
so I wouldn?t have hated you without cause
? I am sincerely sorry for my demeanour."
"I for one believe my father innocent, and
suggest that already at Midsummer,
we will be wed."
"It seems we hated the people of
Paloniemi unjustly."
"What if Heikki?s explanation is only accepted
by the preacher and you?"
"Heikki is a true Christian, he could
not speak an untruth."
"Did Heikki make any mention
of Juhani?"
"He said: my son is in love with your daughter,
we both would overjoyed to see
the Lord unite them."
"But that surely is up to us two."
"I am, too, of the same opinion."
When Kero-Pieti had left, normal life at Nuottaniemi
resumed. The rafts were being eagerly awaited,
and Hanna would often stroll through the
pine woods to the lake bank.
Villagers from Paloniemi came to stay at
Nuottaniemi for the duration of the rafting.
"Listen Juhani, just in these vast forests of
Nuottaniemi lies an immense fortune."
Suddenly, the first cry was heard:
Here come the first rafts!
Even from afar Hanna could see that there
was no man resembling Antti on the raft.
As soon as they had attached the rafts,
the men started towards Nuottaniemi
"There will be more rafts arriving
tonight already."
"Yes, I was waiting him
? for several reasons."
All day long, more rafts kept arriving.
"Greetings again from North Bothnia. Antti
too is on his way down from there
on the next raft."
"Your beds have been moved
to the outbuilding."
As the others were having a rest, Hanna
was restlessly waiting for Antti.
Hanna recognised Antti. Her heart
started throbbing with joy.
"Greetings from the Higher lands!"
"I am glad that the Lord has guarded you on
your way, and you return in good health."
"Come, invite Antti in for something to eat. I am
sure he would appreciate a bit of rest inside."
"Going down the Korpikoski rapids is up to me
and Juhani then, as you Iisakki intend to
forgo helmsmanship."
"I consider Antti of Koskenalusta brave and
observant. He will become a fine helmsman."
"We?ll give him a try this summer but I am
of the opinion that he will fail."
"Did you take for real what was said about
me and Juhani of Paloniemi?"
"Hearing about it I thought: Hanna will not deceive,
nor lie, would not have held my hand asking to
remember her, if she had thought about another."
"I shall not deceive you, I shall not lie, and
I have never thought about anyone else."
"You must talk to father about Niilo Iisakki. He
will best believe you because you too were
on that raft."
"Heikki is claiming his innocence, and
your father believes it?"
"I?ll talk to him as soon as we
can do that in private."
"And Iisakki too treated Antti like he
were his best own son."
"Antti shall share the destiny of Niilo
Iisakki. I will get rid of him."
"I must be clever. Juhani is to be on the same raft.
Then nobody will suspect ? will have no reason to
suspect. ?I?ll go straight into to the gorge of hell.
The rapids hold their tongue.
"And now off to the rapids boys!"
"Let?s make an additional helmsman from Antti
so the responsibility would not lie solely on
Juhani and myself."
"That?s true. Antti is very observant in the
rapids. He?s been shooting down them
from a very tender age."
"You?ll start by coming along with myself and
Juhani, first as a rower. We need more
helmsmen now.
"We?ll finish lunch first."
"I am not afraid, I could have done this
last summer, and even earlier."
At the speed of an arrow, guided by Iisakki?s
steady hand, the raft sped past dangerous
rocks to aid those at foaming peril.
"Row hard men, row hard!"
Hanna knew that father and the men were
doing their best but the rapids mockingly
took a swirling hold of the raft.
"Father, help!"
"And my son too!"
"A new effort must be made. We must steer
the raft straight at the rock face."
"Are there any of you rowing men?"
"Cowards and scoundrels,
that?s what you are!"
The men had to fight all the night
amidst the foaming rapids.
But Hanna did not take a moment?s rest. At her
suggestion, the raft was divided into two parts
so it could be steered directly at the rock face.
"Do you intend to join us?"
"I do. My life has no more value
than anyone else?s."
"Will the rapids that I so love, be the
doom of my both children."
"Take course at the rock face!"
The raft skidded the rock, and in an
instant were the men safe.
Safe!
"Steer towards the right waterway!"
As the raft was floating down the calmer
waters, the men and Hanna relaxed and
bursted with an overwhelming joy of life.
Antti?s home.
"Hanna is s veritable daughter of his father,
just as brave as he was in his days.
"Who?s counting! One rapids takes so many,
another more. Who knows which ones of us will
be taken, and we won?t be missed for long.
To the waters, men!"
"Are you saying that Heikki intended to wipe
out Antti the same way he did your dead son?"
"Everything Heikki does is premeditated,
that?s what I believe, so help me God!"
"I am also sure of that. He was helmsman
when Niilo Iisakki drowned."
"And I always believed Heikki to be a true Christian.
The Lord works in mysterious ways."
"It is her the men have to thank
for saving their lives."
Iisakki felt a deeper love for his
child than ever before.
"And one jumped in the rapids while the
others were shouting we?re doomed!"
Time passed ?. Antti was now a helmsman
at Korpikoski and lived at Nuottaniemi.
"I?ve been thinking, Antti. You should stay
on with us for the summer."
"I am not afraid of him, I have never wished him
ill. But I cannot help loving you and always
wanting to love you."
"Do you know what your
father told me?"
"He said he needed more men for the fields
and that I should stay for the summer ?
if I can agree on that with you."
"Antti!"
"One jumped in the rapids while the
others were shouting we?re doomed!"
"I cannot hate him, I pity him, having lost
everything, his father, home, you, and
finally his mind."
On a Sunday, Kero-Pieti arranged a
revival meeting at Nuottaniemi.
"Was it his father drowning, or losing Hanna
that drove Juhani to insanity? Antti thinks it is
due to the perils at Varsankallio.
"Although we do not know what the Lord
means by these terrible accidents, our faith
tells us that Heikki of Paloniemi ? ?"
"You are saying ?earth to earth? even though in the rapids
you drowned ? ?"
"Did you see where he went?
Ran into the rapids, did he?"
"Hanna!"
"One jumped in the rapids while the
others were shouting ? ?"
"? we?re doomed!"
"We come too late."
Kero-Pieti categorically stopped arranging
revival meetings any more.
"I cannot grasp the meaning of the Lord. Mysterious
are the ways of the Lord. It feels like all the
misfortune in Paloniemi is my fault."
"May God?s peace be with you!"
Translation by Mikko Kuutti / KAVI, 2020