Growth of the Soil
"The epic saga of man's eternal struggle with nature and himself"
Plot
In the harsh wilderness of rural Norway, the stoic homesteader Isak arrives at barren land and single-handedly transforms it into a thriving farm through years of relentless labor. He marries Inger, a woman with a harelip who has faced social stigma, and together they build a life raising their sons Eleseus and Sivert while battling the unforgiving elements and isolation. Their lives are marked by both joy and tragedy, including Inger's imprisonment for infanticide after giving birth to another child with a harelip, and the changing dynamics as their children grow and seek different paths. The arrival of the railroad and modernization brings new opportunities and challenges to their isolated community, forcing the family to confront the tension between traditional rural values and progress. Through decades of struggle, sacrifice, and perseverance, the film explores the profound connection between humans and the land that sustains them.
About the Production
Filmed on location in authentic Norwegian wilderness to capture the harsh beauty of the setting. The production faced significant challenges due to the remote filming locations and primitive equipment available in early 1920s Norwegian cinema. Director Gunnar Sommerfeldt insisted on using natural lighting and real weather conditions to enhance the film's realism.
Historical Background
The film was produced in the aftermath of World War I, during a period when Norway was developing its national identity and cultural independence. The early 1920s saw the emergence of a distinctly Norwegian cinema that sought to capture the country's unique landscape, culture, and values. Hamsun's novel, published in 1917, had already become a cultural phenomenon, winning the Nobel Prize in 1920 and sparking debates about modernization, rural values, and Norwegian identity. The film adaptation arrived at a time when Norway was experiencing rapid industrialization and urbanization, making its themes particularly resonant. The silent era was at its peak, and European cinema was experimenting with longer narrative forms and more sophisticated storytelling techniques. This film represented Norway's contribution to the artistic movement of using cinema to explore national literature and cultural themes, following in the footsteps of Swedish and Danish filmmakers who had already gained international recognition.
Why This Film Matters
'Growth of the Soil' holds a unique place in Norwegian cinema history as one of the earliest attempts to adapt the country's most celebrated literary work for the screen. The film helped establish the tradition of Norwegian cinema focusing on rural life, nature, and the relationship between humans and their environment, themes that would continue to appear in Norwegian films throughout the 20th century. Its faithful adaptation of Hamsun's Nobel Prize-winning novel demonstrated the potential of cinema as a medium for serious literary adaptation. The film's visual language influenced subsequent Norwegian filmmakers in how to portray the dramatic landscape and harsh beauty of the Norwegian countryside. It also contributed to the international perception of Norwegian culture, emphasizing themes of stoicism, perseverance, and connection to the land. The preservation and restoration efforts for this film have made it an important artifact for understanding the early development of Scandinavian cinema and the cultural values of post-WWI Norway.
Making Of
The production of 'Growth of the Soil' was a monumental undertaking for the nascent Norwegian film industry of the early 1920s. Director Gunnar Sommerfeldt, primarily known as a theater director, undertook the ambitious project of adapting Knut Hamsun's complex novel just four years after its publication. The casting of Amund Rydland as Isak was considered a masterstroke, as his rugged, authentic appearance and powerful screen presence perfectly embodied the novel's protagonist. The film crew faced extreme weather conditions while shooting in the Norwegian wilderness, often working in sub-zero temperatures with primitive equipment. Karen Poulsen's portrayal of Inger required significant makeup work to authentically depict the character's harelip, a sensitive subject for the time. The production utilized local farmers and villagers as extras, many of whom had never seen a film camera before, adding to the documentary-like quality of many scenes. Sommerfeldt insisted on long, uncut takes to capture the rhythm of rural life and the slow, deliberate pace of agricultural work, creating a meditative quality that was unusual for silent cinema of the era.
Visual Style
The cinematography of 'Growth of the Soil' is characterized by its naturalistic approach and breathtaking use of the Norwegian landscape. The film employs extensive location shooting in the actual wilderness of Gudbrandsdalen and Østerdalen, capturing the stark beauty and harshness of the environment. Long takes and wide shots emphasize the isolation of the characters and their smallness against the vast, unforgiving landscape. Natural lighting is used throughout, creating authentic seasonal variations and capturing the unique quality of Nordic light. The camera work often adopts a static, observational style that mirrors the patient, methodical nature of agricultural work. Close-ups are used sparingly but effectively to convey the emotional states of the characters, particularly during moments of hardship or revelation. The film's visual composition frequently frames characters against the horizon or within the landscape, reinforcing the central theme of humanity's relationship with nature. This naturalistic approach was innovative for its time and influenced subsequent Norwegian cinematography in its treatment of landscape as character.
Innovations
For its time and place, 'Growth of the Soil' demonstrated significant technical achievements in Norwegian cinema. The film's successful location shooting in remote wilderness areas represented a major logistical accomplishment for the early 1920s Norwegian film industry. The use of natural lighting throughout the production was technically challenging but resulted in a visual authenticity that was uncommon for the period. The film's runtime of 112 minutes made it one of the longer Norwegian productions of its era, requiring sophisticated narrative structure to maintain audience engagement. The preservation of footage showing actual farming techniques and rural Norwegian life provides invaluable documentary value. The makeup effects used to create Inger's harelip were notably realistic for the period. The film's survival, albeit in incomplete form, testifies to the relative quality of the original film stock used. These technical aspects, while perhaps not revolutionary by international standards, represented significant steps forward for the emerging Norwegian film industry.
Music
As a silent film, 'Growth of the Soil' would have been accompanied by live musical performance during its original theatrical run. The typical score would have been provided by a theater organist or small ensemble, using popular classical pieces and mood music to accompany the action. Specific information about the original musical accompaniment is scarce, but it likely included Norwegian folk melodies and classical pieces that reflected the film's serious tone and rural setting. Modern restorations of the film have been accompanied by newly composed scores that incorporate traditional Norwegian musical elements. Contemporary screenings often feature live musical performances with instruments typical of Norwegian folk traditions, including the Hardanger fiddle. The absence of synchronized sound emphasizes the visual storytelling and allows the natural sounds of the farm work and landscape to exist in the viewer's imagination, potentially enhancing the film's meditative quality.
Famous Quotes
The earth is faithful, but it demands much in return
A man is nothing without his land
Progress comes, but the soil remembers
In the wilderness, we find ourselves
The railroad brings the world, but takes away the soul
Memorable Scenes
- Isak's first arrival at the barren land and his initial struggle to break the soil
- The wedding scene between Isak and Inger, showing the formation of their partnership
- Inger's emotional departure for prison, leaving her family behind
- The arrival of the railroad in the remote valley, symbolizing the encroachment of modernity
- The final scenes showing the aged Isak contemplating his life's work and the changes that have come to his world
Did You Know?
- Based on Knut Hamsun's Nobel Prize-winning novel 'Markens Grøde' (1917), one of the most celebrated works in Norwegian literature
- This was one of the earliest feature film adaptations of a Nobel Prize-winning work
- Director Gunnar Sommerfeldt also played a role in the film
- The film was considered lost for decades before a partial restoration was completed in the 1970s
- Amund Rydland, who played Isak, was one of Norway's most prominent stage actors of his time
- The film's production coincided with Norway's emerging national cinema identity
- Real farmers and local villagers were used as extras to enhance authenticity
- The film was shot during actual Norwegian winter conditions, adding to the realism but creating production difficulties
- Only a few copies of the original film survived, making it a rare piece of early Norwegian cinema
- The adaptation was praised for remaining faithful to Hamsun's philosophical themes about modernization versus traditional values
What Critics Said
Contemporary Norwegian critics praised the film for its faithful adaptation of Hamsun's novel and its authentic portrayal of rural Norwegian life. The performances, particularly Amund Rydland's interpretation of Isak, were widely acclaimed for their naturalism and emotional depth. Critics noted the film's successful capture of the novel's philosophical themes about modernization and traditional values. However, some reviewers felt that the silent medium couldn't fully convey the complex inner monologues that characterized Hamsun's writing style. International critics were limited in their exposure to the film due to its limited distribution outside Scandinavia. Modern film historians and critics have reevaluated the film as an important example of early Norwegian cinema, appreciating its artistic ambitions and its role in establishing a national film identity. The film is now studied as a significant cultural artifact that captures the aesthetic and philosophical concerns of its era.
What Audiences Thought
Norwegian audiences of the early 1920s responded positively to the film, particularly those familiar with Hamsun's beloved novel. Many viewers appreciated seeing their national literature brought to life on screen, and the film's authentic depiction of rural Norwegian life resonated with audiences who still had strong connections to agricultural communities. The film's themes of perseverance and the dignity of hard work struck a chord with a population recovering from the disruptions of World War I. However, the film's slow pace and serious tone may have limited its appeal to more urban audiences seeking entertainment. The limited distribution and preservation challenges of the era meant that relatively few Norwegians actually saw the film compared to modern standards. Today, the film is primarily viewed by cinema enthusiasts, students of Norwegian culture, and those interested in the history of Scandinavian film, who appreciate it as a window into early 20th-century Norwegian cinema and values.
Awards & Recognition
- No major awards were given for this film, as the Norwegian film award system was not established until decades later
Film Connections
Influenced By
- Knut Hamsun's novel 'Markens Grøde'
- Swedish silent cinema's naturalistic style
- Danish literary adaptations
- German expressionist visual techniques
- Norwegian folk traditions
This Film Influenced
- Later Norwegian rural dramas
- Scandinavian films about isolation and nature
- Literary adaptations from Nordic literature
- Documentaries about traditional farming
- Modern Norwegian arthouse cinema
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Film Restoration
Partially preserved - Only fragments of the original film survive, with approximately 60% of the original footage recovered. The Norwegian Film Institute completed a restoration in the 1970s using existing prints and fragments. Some scenes remain lost, reconstructed through still photographs and intertitles. The surviving elements are stored at the Norwegian Film Archive in Oslo.