Product Details

• Actors: Jakob Cedergren, Peter Plaugborg
• Directors: Thomas Vinterberg
• Format: Color, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
• Language: Danish
• Subtitles: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: Unrated
• Studio: Entertainment One
• DVD Release Date: October 11, 2011
• Run Time: 89 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B005DEUEW2
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #54,420 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

After surviving a childhood plagued by violence, two estranged brothers live haunted lives. Nick, a hardened criminal recently released from prison, spends his days in a shelter and his nights drinking excessively, while Ivan, a single father, cares for his young son while harboring his own dark secrets. Both must find a way to reconnect and fight for their future - before it's too late. Based on the popular novel by Jonas T. Bengstson.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Dark And Depressing Tale Of Dysfunction--This Danish Film Is Quietly Powerful And Unforgettable September 15, 2011

By K. Harris HALL OF FAMETOP 10 REVIEWER

Format:DVD

Danish filmmaker Thomas Vinterberg has yet to receive the attention of his fellow Dogme 95 compatriot Lars von Trier. While both have broken the strict rules of this back-to-basics film movement, Vinterberg has stayed closer to the principles of naturalistic storytelling. Von Trier, a born provocateur, seems more inclined to be labeled the "bad boy" of international cinema creating pieces that challenge conventional narrative and viewer expectation with aggressive glee. Vinterberg, however, has a quieter approach. His devastating "The Celebration" (Festen) is one of my absolute favorite films--a potent brew of family dysfunction that you're not likely to forget. Interestingly enough, he also served up one of my least favorite movies as well. "Dear Wendy" (with von Trier taking a screenplay credit) is an ill-conceived gun control parable that I found painful to sit through. But the power to elicit strong feelings (both good and bad) is a mark of a great director in my opinion. I'd rather see someone try something different and not succeed as opposed to sticking to formulaic committee moviemaking. With "Submarino," Vinterberg has stripped away all artifice to create one of the most subtle and powerful films that I've seen in quite some time.

The movie opens up with two young brothers in the heart of an all-too-familiar scene of neglect. Raising their baby brother, as well as each other, in the absence of an alcoholic mother--the moments are heartbreakingly tender and sad. When an unspeakable tragedy occurs, you know that it will have long range emotional repercussions for the brothers. The film fast forwards to adulthood--and each brother is given a segment of the film in an overlapping narrative device. Both are still struggling and trying to put their lives back together.... One deals with rage and violence, one with loss and drugs. It's a downbeat story to be sure, but what I most liked about Vinterberg's piece is the intimacy and respect it affords this duo of primary characters. Either could be painted in a very unflattering light, but the script maintains a level presentation where you see the intelligence and promise of both. While trapped by circumstances, either could have achieved much had their lives moved forward on a different path.

This is a surprisingly subtle and sophisticated piece of filmmaking. But it would not have succeeded without two incredible lead performances. Peter Plaugborg plays the younger sibling, a struggling single father whose life is spiraling out of control. It is a finely nuanced performance that elicits as much frustration and anger as it does sympathy. And Jakob Cedergren gives a powerhouse performance as the more volatile elder who is trying to correct the wrongs of his youth. Cedergren, in my opinion, gives one of the best performances of 2010. Hopefully with the U.S. release, more people will embrace this film as the minor classic that it is. While others might have opted for scenes of emotional grandstanding and histrionics, Vinterberg kept things extremely quiet and grounded. So the film's power sneaks up on you. This film put me through many emotions--including hope as well as devastation--and it's not an experience I will soon forget. A serious film not to be missed by adult audiences. In case I didn't make it clear, I loved it. KGHarris, 9/11. Read more ›

5.0 out of 5 stars Very intriguing June 7, 2013

By cynthia perkins

Format:Amazon Instant Video|Amazon Verified Purchase

Low key, thoughtful look into the spiraling lives of two brothers. Redemptive at the end, though. Jakob Cedergren is one of my favorite actors. He can relay much emotion in a single look.

5.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent and Very Troubling Movie November 13, 2012

By not a natural VINE™ VOICE

Format:DVD

Submarino is one of the most troubling films I've ever seen. Even more than, say, King of Devil's Island, it makes painfully clear just how costly the loss of innocence can be. It's not an easy process for any of us, but the least fortunate suffer the deepest kind of emotional brutalization. Imagine two brothers, both approaching middle school age, who have no humane choice but to care for an infant sibling in an atmosphere suffused with alcoholism, indifference, and cruelty. Though untrained and ignorant of the needs of a baby, they take pride and pleasure in doing what seems morally right and technically correct, and they love the child. Given their inevitable limitations, however, the death of the infant comes as no surprise, except, perhaps, to the brothers.

One wonders how they survived their own earliest years, and we are struck by their decency and their loving natures. Still again, it's no surprise when, as adults, neither has escaped the emotional demons that were born during childhood and adolescence.

As is often the case with abused children, their lives, at first blush, seem to have gone in opposite directions. One drinks large quantities of beer and lifts weights to better prepare him for a hard world where strength and toughness count. A working class Lad who lives a life of little promise and even less meaning. He remains, though, self-sufficient and durable, neither dependent nor despondent. Its easy to imagine that he could go on more or less indefinitely in much the same way -- little to lose and nothing much gained.

While it's not as clear as it might be, the younger brother has taken a different path. He looks and acts the part of a nerd, but one who has attained middle class status.... In spite of his unspecified but evident material and cultural attainments, however, he's much closer to the edge and apt to fall off than his seemingly less fortunate brother. Whatever emotional resources keep his older brother from desperation, he does not share them.

Both characters are sufficiently well developed to make the film's narrative believable, though it would be useful to know more about the life of the younger sibling -- how does he make a living, how did he start a failed family, how did he manage for as long as he did with the dangerous and debilitating coping mechanism he adopted. Still, the stark contrast between the lives of the two brothers is interesting, something commonly found among offspring who grew up in horrible circumstances of shared abuse.

Some viewers may conclude that there is redemption of a touching, even profound sort at the very end. In truth, however, I don't see it. Too much has been lost by too many, and the future remains a blank. Those who wish to can understandably harken back to the beginning scenes and surmise love and happiness for the survivors. I think, however, that so much has happened that has been so destructive that such a forecast is unduly sentimental.

In any case, this is a truly fine film, one that gets inside you head and, for better or worse, stays there. The viewer can construe it as a "wake up call" if he or she likes. I think that Submarino takes things that we know in a very abstract way and forces us to see them concretely. It's than that they become so troubling and so disturbingly real. Read more ›

4.0 out of 5 stars Dark and Gloomy Film April 7, 2012

By C. Pace

Format:Amazon Instant Video|Amazon Verified Purchase

The Scandinavians are excellent story tellers. In large part thanks to the Dogme 95 movement which blossomed in 1995, film makers schooled in that era are now coming of age. Lone Scherfig (An Education, One Day), Susanne Bier (In a Better World, After the Wedding), Thomas Vinterberg (The Celebration-his best in my opinion-and Submarino), and the Lion King of them all Lars Von Trier (Melancholia, Breaking the Waves) are all fine craftsman who know know how to tell a good yarn. I happened upon Danish film quite accidentally and now understand why it's taking its place at the film making table. Submarmino however was too dark and gloomy for me. Kudos are to be given to the director Thomas Vinterberg, however, for over half of the cast were novices which lent a very realistic feel to the story. Almost too realistic. Still, I'd recommend this film over your usual Hollywood fare.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars a guy movie November 9, 2012

By .fgd

Format:DVD

.......There are only four women in it with very minimum roles. It is the story of two brothers damaged by an alcoholic mother. One brother becomes a junkie ironically rather than drink. He also has a son he cares for in a guilt-ridden way. The other brother is an alcoholic which gets in the way of relationships although he is a caring man. Probably because they have different addictions and are self-absorbed by them they don't see as much of each other as they need to.

This film has a straight-forward docu-drama feel. It is under-stated throughout which some might find dull given the histrionic way the same film would be treated made in America. Back to it being a guy movie- the two men hold a lot of their emotions inside but because the film is well-acted we get to read between the lines. Or what is imagined can be more potent than if it were out-lined. It's nice the two of them are also reasonably sensitive and intelligent.