Song of Norway

Song of Norway is a 1970 American musical drama film directed by Andrew L. Stone. It is based on the 1944 operetta of the same name by Robert Wright and George Forrest, which in turn chronicles the life and music of the celebrated Norwegian composer [[Edvard Grieg]]. The film was an ambitious production, known for its grand scale, extensive location shooting in Norway, and elaborate musical sequences.

Overview

The film attempts to bring Grieg's romantic life and musical journey to the screen, incorporating many of his well-known compositions, which were adapted with English lyrics by Wright and Forrest. It was released during a period when large-scale musical films were facing declining popularity and critical scrutiny in Hollywood. Despite its visual splendor and use of renowned classical music, the film struggled both critically and commercially.

Plot

The narrative follows Edvard Grieg from his early life in Norway, through his struggles and triumphs as a budding composer, to his eventual international fame. It highlights his relationships, particularly with his cousin and wife, [[Nina Hagerup Grieg]], and his patron, [[Franz Liszt]]. The plot loosely covers his creative process, his connection to the Norwegian landscape and folk music, and the challenges he faced in pursuing his artistic vision.

Cast

• [[Toralv Maurstad]] as Edvard Grieg
• [[Florence Henderson]] as Nina Grieg
• [[Christina Schollin]] as Therese Berg
• [[Frank Porretta]] as Rikard Nordraak
• [[Robert Morley]] as Gerard Arbo
• [[Edward G. Robinson]] as Krogstad
• [[Harry Secombe]] as Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson
• [[Richard Wordsworth]] as Henrik Ibsen

Music

The film's soundtrack primarily features adaptations of Edvard Grieg's original compositions, including pieces like the [[Piano Concerto in A minor]], selections from [[Peer Gynt]], and various lyrical pieces. Robert Wright and George Forrest penned new lyrics for these classical melodies, adhering to the style they established in the original operetta. The musical numbers are integrated into the narrative, often serving to express the characters' emotions or advance the plot.

Reception

"Song of Norway" received overwhelmingly negative reviews from critics upon its release. Common criticisms included its perceived dated style, clunky dialogue, uneven pacing, and the often-mismatched lip-syncing by the cast. While some acknowledged the film's visual beauty and the appeal of Grieg's music, these elements were generally not enough to salvage the overall critical reception. The film also performed poorly at the box office, becoming a significant financial disappointment for its studio, [[Cinerama Releasing Corporation]]. It is often cited as one of the contributing factors to the decline of the traditional Hollywood musical in the early 1970s.

Legacy

Despite its initial critical and commercial failure, "Song of Norway" holds a minor place in film history as an example of a large-budget musical from an era when the genre was undergoing profound changes. It occasionally airs on television or becomes available through streaming services, serving as a curious artifact of a particular moment in Hollywood's approach to adapting classic stage works for the screen.