Movie Monday: Song of Norway

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To Europe With Kids presents Movie Monday as a weekly feature to recommend films that might expose children and their families to any small bit of European history, folklore, scenery, or animated imagery as entertainment, perhaps new knowledge, or just a couple of hours of electronic babysitting.

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Just because this movie flopped at the theaters when it was released in 1970 doesn't mean you can't watch it for it's exquisite Norwegian scenery and spark a little Scandinavian wanderlust in your children.  Kids adore musicals, and Carol Brady - I mean Florence Henderson - is in it, so what's not to love?

Song of Norway is a biography of Norwegian composer and pianist Edvard Grieg's early life.  It tells the story of his struggles to find recognition for his classical music in the late 19th century.  The songs in the movie, based on Grieg's, aren't bad, nor is the singing, but the plot is where the musical falls apart.  It tries too hard to imitate The Sound of Music and just doesn't exude the same enchantment.

Watch Song of Norway for the snow-capped mountains, the sweeping fjords, and the Norwegian villages, landscapes, and folk costumes, all shot on location in beautiful Scandinavia.

Other Movie Monday posts:

Sound of Music

The Waltz King

Hans Brinker or the Silver Skates

When in Rome

Julie & Julia

Percy Jackson & the Olympians:  The Lightning Thief

Madeline

Winning London

The Secret of Roan Inish

Mary Poppins

Hogan's Heroes

The Moon Spinners

Heidi

Animated Heidi

Around the World in 80 Days

Anastasia

The Great Muppet Caper

National Lampoon's European Vacation

Young Sherlock Holmes

If It's Tuesday, This Must Be Belgium

Star Wars:  Episode II - Attack of the Clones