The Promised Land ★★★½

ONE of the hits of a very good 2023/24 Perth Film Festival was The Promised Land.

This Danish film is set in 1755 and tells the story of a real person, former soldier Ludvig Kahlen, played by the always wonderful Mads Mikkelsen.

Despite reaching officer ranks, Kahlen was of humble birth and after 25 years of service with the German Army retires with little to his name.

But he remains extremely resourceful and determined to build himself a new life, seeking formal permission from the King of Denmark to develop a parcel of land.

A barren moorland, known as the Jutland, has defied all efforts at farming, but Kahlen is confident he can succeed in starting a new settlement and gain a Royal reward in the form of land and title.

There are many trials and tribulations to follow, not just from the agricultural and weather conditions.

Frederich Schinkel is a nearby owner of already developed land and local magistrate who considers himself the unofficial ruler of the area.

Schinkel is also a ruthless and cruel human being who thinks nothing of boiling one of his runaway servants to death in front of guests invited to a party.

When Kahlen refuses to bow down to Schinkel a path of conflict is set down, leading to death and destruction.

There are many things to like about Nicolas Arcel’s film which was Denmark’s entry for Best International Film at the Academy Awards.

It has great visuals amidst locations that aren’t often seen and the factual basis of the events lend authenticity to the drama.

The film runs the gamut of emotional cinema, ranging from heartfelt scenes to gory action.

Mikkelsen is charismatic as usual and Simon Bennebjerg does a terrific job as the villain of the piece.

There is also a trio of good female roles played by Amanda Collin, Kristine Kujath Thorp and young Melina Hagberg as a Romani gypsy.

Watched at the cinema.