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Editorial Reviews
Review
HAUNTING! Skarsgård is excellent as always and Moody atmospherics enhance the conventional structure. --New York Daily News
EXCELLENT! Marius Holst gives the proceedings a fresh look, thanks to his sturdy acting, direction and cinematography. --New York Post
HYPNOTIC! Brooding & evocative. --The Village Voice
EXCELLENT! Marius Holst gives the proceedings a fresh look, thanks to his sturdy acting, direction and cinematography. --New York Post
HYPNOTIC! Brooding & evocative. --The Village Voice
Product Description
This true story of the infamous Bastøy Boys Home correctional facility in Norway, begins with the arrival of seventeen-year-old Erling, a rumored murderer. He immediately clashes with the island facility's governor (Stellan Skarsgård), who believes manual labor, rigid discipline, and harsh punishment are the only methods that can turn the boys into honorable members of society. Refusing to accept the constant abuse, Erling slowly rouses the rest of the boys out of their resigned existence, and encourages them to fight to lift up their spirits. When tragedy finally falls at the hand of the sadistic dorm master, Erling leads his comrades in a courageous and vicious rebellion that will bring them head to head with no less than the Norwegian Army.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Rebellion Of Youth: A Powerful Exploration Of Friendship And Duty In The Most Harrowing Environment
April 4, 2012
Format:DVD
The chilling true life tale told in the Norwegian drama "King of Devil's Island" is not dissimilar to the topic of a dozen other films I could list without even breaking a sweat. Essentially set in a reform school, if a rather dramatically located one, not much about the story's actual plot will surprise you. Similar narrative arcs have been recounted in numerous books, movies, and TV shows. Yet, I credit the film's screenplay, director, and (especially) its cast for making a well-worn topic seem vital and unexpected. Norway's controversial Bastoy Reform School, set on a remote and desolate island, makes for a memorable setting and this bleak and wintry locale acts almost as one of the piece's central characters. As the fog rolls in or the fjord freezes over, the stark visual imagery and demanding physical environment supports the notion that, at heart, this is a survival drama more than anything else.
A menacing Stellan Skarsgard plays the facility's upright Governor. He has, rightfully, received acclaim for this performance and indeed he is one of the more underrated and versatile actors working today. But foremost, this is a movie that is distinguished by its young cast. Benjamin Helstad plays a new internee with a healthy disrespect for authority. His counterpart is a trustee near the end of his stay played by Trond Nilssen. Despite having very different viewpoints, the boys form an unexpected bond. As their friendship grows, it is easy to see how each actually challenges the other to be a better person. And ultimately, they both seek a world of justice and fairness even if it means standing up against the disciplinary system in place. One case of physical abuse starts a ball rolling that neither seem willing or able to stop. And this gives them the power to forever affect Bastoy.
Both Helstad and Nilssen are instrumental to the film's success and power. As the tensions start to escalate and a movement of rebellion sweeps the school, the movie becomes tense and unforgettable. But because we stay grounded with this central relationship, things never feel unreal or over-the-top. Even in the most harrowing moments of the film, the friendship never lost its focus or my interest. In the end, the quiet scenes have greater poignancy than you might anticipate. I know some people will connect with the grand spectacle, but I stayed firmly invested in the more intimate drama. I loved "King of Devil's Island" for its depiction of friendship, loyalty, and the pursuit of justice. The topic of reform school uprisings has been covered before, but rarely has it felt so genuinely rooted in nobility and rightness. KGHarris, 4/12.
The DVD contains a bonus short film from the United Kingdom called "Bale." It's a dynamic 15 minute film about how harmless childhood pranks can turn deadly serious. The young cast is quite good and it has a stunning visual centerpiece in its enormous hay bale that acts as both a source of wonder and of danger. As an added bonus, if you follow the British iteration of "Being Human"-- Michael Socha (Tom) has a pivotal role. A nice, if not essential, addition that carries over some of the same youthful themes as the film.
A menacing Stellan Skarsgard plays the facility's upright Governor. He has, rightfully, received acclaim for this performance and indeed he is one of the more underrated and versatile actors working today. But foremost, this is a movie that is distinguished by its young cast. Benjamin Helstad plays a new internee with a healthy disrespect for authority. His counterpart is a trustee near the end of his stay played by Trond Nilssen. Despite having very different viewpoints, the boys form an unexpected bond. As their friendship grows, it is easy to see how each actually challenges the other to be a better person. And ultimately, they both seek a world of justice and fairness even if it means standing up against the disciplinary system in place. One case of physical abuse starts a ball rolling that neither seem willing or able to stop. And this gives them the power to forever affect Bastoy.
Both Helstad and Nilssen are instrumental to the film's success and power. As the tensions start to escalate and a movement of rebellion sweeps the school, the movie becomes tense and unforgettable. But because we stay grounded with this central relationship, things never feel unreal or over-the-top. Even in the most harrowing moments of the film, the friendship never lost its focus or my interest. In the end, the quiet scenes have greater poignancy than you might anticipate. I know some people will connect with the grand spectacle, but I stayed firmly invested in the more intimate drama. I loved "King of Devil's Island" for its depiction of friendship, loyalty, and the pursuit of justice. The topic of reform school uprisings has been covered before, but rarely has it felt so genuinely rooted in nobility and rightness. KGHarris, 4/12.
The DVD contains a bonus short film from the United Kingdom called "Bale." It's a dynamic 15 minute film about how harmless childhood pranks can turn deadly serious. The young cast is quite good and it has a stunning visual centerpiece in its enormous hay bale that acts as both a source of wonder and of danger. As an added bonus, if you follow the British iteration of "Being Human"-- Michael Socha (Tom) has a pivotal role. A nice, if not essential, addition that carries over some of the same youthful themes as the film.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I'm still trying to put into words how I feel about this film. It is so much deeper and more fulfilling than I initially expected and so I'm still piecing together exactly what it left me with. I was really expecting a more generically constructed film; a film that was more on the clichéd and genre side of things. With a quote like "Skarsgard is terrifying" pasted on the top of the poster, my mind blocked in the possibilities and basically centered on `young boys are treated harshly by heartless man' with no wiggle room for what I was really presented with.
Marius Holst is a genius.
`King of Devil's Island' tells the true story of the Bastoy Boys, young men sent to Bastoy Island to a correctional facility where their childish ways are to be worked out of them. The facility is governed by a stern yet complex man (there is so much more behind those eyes than one could imagine). Bastoy is shaken with the arrival of two youths, Erling and Ivar. Erling is a repressed soul, rough and not one who easily bends to authority. Ivar is a quieter and more impressionable young man; easily taken advantage of and almost instantly becomes the target of a housefather with questionable intentions. Erling comes under the wing of Olav, a fellow Bastoy Boy who is a few weeks shy of getting his ticket home after spending six long years on the island. As the days pass and Erling continually bucks authority, refusing to learn the rules, life is turned upside down when the morals and convictions of the boys and those in positions of power is questioned and confronted.
The script is fantastic, dissecting the raw humanity found in each of the film's main characters. Holst's direction is a major asset for he understands how to mold such intensity between the lines. The homoerotic nature of the scenes, the way that the boys are framed, is just insanely inspired. The scene in the washroom between Erling and Oystein is a marvelous example of using a subtle sensuality to dig into the heart of these young men. The cinematography is some of the best of last year; so crisp and cold and emotionally compacted. The way that these scenes are framed and the almost washed out color pallet adds so much weight to the proceedings.
But this film is really a showcase for some stunning performances. Stellan Skarsgard is breathtaking. The way he edges out an entire backstory with mere facial shifts and emotional stares is remarkable. While his lips are moving you can watch his eyes betray his words with a confliction that is hard to express adequately, and he manages to do so effortlessly. He reminds me here of his `Melancholia' co-star Kiefer Sutherland. Both actors (in these respective roles) balance out the desire to lean on the paternal yet the flawed way in which circumstance can derail even the best of intentions. But, it is the youth in this film that really shine. Morten Lovstad is saddled with a seemingly clichéd role as the resident bully, but he builds so many layers with barely a word to the point where his character's arc is beautifully sincere. Benjamin Helstad helms with film with such bridled intensity, it is unforgettable. The way he cycles his character's actions with his intentions is beautiful to watch. But, this film belongs to young Trond Nilssen who just blew me away with his portrayal of Olav. The slow burn, that build of character, the turning point, the breakdown, the final frame; all of it sent shivers down my spine.
`King of Devil's Island' sounds like a generic film. It has the ring of a teen film about aggression with shallow development. That couldn't be further from the truth. With rich character development and a beautiful understanding of visual depth, this film is unforgettable.
Marius Holst is a genius.
`King of Devil's Island' tells the true story of the Bastoy Boys, young men sent to Bastoy Island to a correctional facility where their childish ways are to be worked out of them. The facility is governed by a stern yet complex man (there is so much more behind those eyes than one could imagine). Bastoy is shaken with the arrival of two youths, Erling and Ivar. Erling is a repressed soul, rough and not one who easily bends to authority. Ivar is a quieter and more impressionable young man; easily taken advantage of and almost instantly becomes the target of a housefather with questionable intentions. Erling comes under the wing of Olav, a fellow Bastoy Boy who is a few weeks shy of getting his ticket home after spending six long years on the island. As the days pass and Erling continually bucks authority, refusing to learn the rules, life is turned upside down when the morals and convictions of the boys and those in positions of power is questioned and confronted.
The script is fantastic, dissecting the raw humanity found in each of the film's main characters. Holst's direction is a major asset for he understands how to mold such intensity between the lines. The homoerotic nature of the scenes, the way that the boys are framed, is just insanely inspired. The scene in the washroom between Erling and Oystein is a marvelous example of using a subtle sensuality to dig into the heart of these young men. The cinematography is some of the best of last year; so crisp and cold and emotionally compacted. The way that these scenes are framed and the almost washed out color pallet adds so much weight to the proceedings.
But this film is really a showcase for some stunning performances. Stellan Skarsgard is breathtaking. The way he edges out an entire backstory with mere facial shifts and emotional stares is remarkable. While his lips are moving you can watch his eyes betray his words with a confliction that is hard to express adequately, and he manages to do so effortlessly. He reminds me here of his `Melancholia' co-star Kiefer Sutherland. Both actors (in these respective roles) balance out the desire to lean on the paternal yet the flawed way in which circumstance can derail even the best of intentions. But, it is the youth in this film that really shine. Morten Lovstad is saddled with a seemingly clichéd role as the resident bully, but he builds so many layers with barely a word to the point where his character's arc is beautifully sincere. Benjamin Helstad helms with film with such bridled intensity, it is unforgettable. The way he cycles his character's actions with his intentions is beautiful to watch. But, this film belongs to young Trond Nilssen who just blew me away with his portrayal of Olav. The slow burn, that build of character, the turning point, the breakdown, the final frame; all of it sent shivers down my spine.
`King of Devil's Island' sounds like a generic film. It has the ring of a teen film about aggression with shallow development. That couldn't be further from the truth. With rich character development and a beautiful understanding of visual depth, this film is unforgettable.
8 of 10 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
'Escape is only a fantasy here.' An Exceptional Film On Every Level
February 27, 2012
Format:DVD
KING OF DEVIL'S ISLAND (Kongen av Bastřy) is an experience more than a film. It dares to take the viewer where all is black and white, emotionally and visually, and while the film is shot in color, the only moment of color in this dark, atmospherically eerie snow bound island boys prison is the occasional blood and fire that creates even more of an impact because of the bleak screen that serves as background for the story. Based on a true story by Mette M. Břlstad and Lars Saabye Christensen and adapted for the screen by Dennis Magnusson and Eric Schmid, the fine cast is directed by Marius Holst.
In 1915 on the island Bastřy, located in the Oslo fjord, live a group of delinquent, young boys aged 11 to 18 in the Bastřy Boys Reform School. The boys daily, sadistic regime is run by the guards and Governor Bestyreren (Stellan Skarsgĺrd) who is stern but seemingly fair in his management of the reform school (his wife lives with him in an opulent manner). But the Housemaster, a smarmy pedophile names Master Brĺthen (Kristoffer Joner), is cruel and malicious and bestows both mental and physical abuse on the boys: the boys are used for cheap manual labor rather than being schooled and `corrected' to return to society. The boys attempt to survive by adapting to their inhumane conditions. One day a new 17 year old boy, Erling who is assigned the `name' C19 (Benjamin Helstad), arrives with his own agenda: how to escape from the island. How far is he willing to go in order to get his freedom? There is a stalwart lad Ivar/C5 (Magnus Langlete) who is due for release and a rather frail lad Olav/C1 (Trond Nilssen) who falls victim to the Master: these lads are C19's colleagues. After a tragic incident takes place, Erling ends up forced into the destinies of the other boys by leading them into a violent uprising. Once the boys manage to take over Bastřy 150 government soldiers are sent in to restore order. How he maneuvers the escape fantasy brings a surprising ending to the story.
The acting is first rate from a fine group of young actors. The cinematography is by John Andreas Andersen and the haunting musical score is by Johan Söderqvist. In Norwegian with English subtitles. A moody, deeply moving work. Grady Harp, February 12
In 1915 on the island Bastřy, located in the Oslo fjord, live a group of delinquent, young boys aged 11 to 18 in the Bastřy Boys Reform School. The boys daily, sadistic regime is run by the guards and Governor Bestyreren (Stellan Skarsgĺrd) who is stern but seemingly fair in his management of the reform school (his wife lives with him in an opulent manner). But the Housemaster, a smarmy pedophile names Master Brĺthen (Kristoffer Joner), is cruel and malicious and bestows both mental and physical abuse on the boys: the boys are used for cheap manual labor rather than being schooled and `corrected' to return to society. The boys attempt to survive by adapting to their inhumane conditions. One day a new 17 year old boy, Erling who is assigned the `name' C19 (Benjamin Helstad), arrives with his own agenda: how to escape from the island. How far is he willing to go in order to get his freedom? There is a stalwart lad Ivar/C5 (Magnus Langlete) who is due for release and a rather frail lad Olav/C1 (Trond Nilssen) who falls victim to the Master: these lads are C19's colleagues. After a tragic incident takes place, Erling ends up forced into the destinies of the other boys by leading them into a violent uprising. Once the boys manage to take over Bastřy 150 government soldiers are sent in to restore order. How he maneuvers the escape fantasy brings a surprising ending to the story.
The acting is first rate from a fine group of young actors. The cinematography is by John Andreas Andersen and the haunting musical score is by Johan Söderqvist. In Norwegian with English subtitles. A moody, deeply moving work. Grady Harp, February 12
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Grim Reminder of a Nation's Past
This film is a poignant testimony to a historical side of modern, progressive Norwegian society that is meant to make its viewers uncomfortable with how the nation once dealt with... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Ian Gordon Malcomson
1.0 out of 5 stars
No sympathy no surprise
One of the worst films I have seen about children suffering. I am sorry maybe it is because I have not been in dire straits before, but I sat down thinking this movie was about... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Alex D. Kenol
5.0 out of 5 stars
QUIET SLEEPER
I first saw this movie late one Saturday nite. It was on PBS I came in about thirty minutes in. I was completely hooked in the first five minutes. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Allen hillman
5.0 out of 5 stars
King of Devil's Island (wish it had a different title might have...
This is a fabulous story .... actually thought it was an old movie ....most often do not like sub titles, but it didn't matter. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Sherrin Nolfi
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Gritty, Realistic Drama; Powerful and Often Disturbing
I decided to blindly stream this on Netflix today (available as of 11/22/12) and enjoyed it immensely. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Jonathan
5.0 out of 5 stars
King of Devil's Island - A 'Must-See'!!
The King of Devil's Island is an incredible exploration of the grand human themes of brotherhood, suffering, hatred, and hope. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Ross Macdonald
5.0 out of 5 stars
True and Harrowing Story from Norway's Penal Past
This is a Norwegian film from director Marius Holst and is based on actual events which took place in 1915 on Bastoy Island. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Tommy D
4.0 out of 5 stars
Imagine A Whale Covered In Scars From Battling Harpoons
I was held captive by this movie throughout its entirety. As others have stated so well, the acting and cinematography go so well with the reserved, quiet actions of its... Read more
Published 6 months ago by W. Powell
5.0 out of 5 stars
Tragic reform school drama par excellence
The director, Marius Holst, and the large cast have created a movie that needed to be told. The brutal treatment and abuse suffered by the inmates of a reform school for boys,... Read more
Published 7 months ago by S Svendsen
5.0 out of 5 stars
Outstanding "reform school" drama
Let me state upfront that I am a long-time fan of the Film Movement library of foreign and indie movies (in fact earlier this year I finally gave in and started my subscription). Read more
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