AllMovie

Director Gustaf Molander's first talking picture (actually a silent film with a handful of re-shot talkie sequences) was 1930's Charlotte Lowenskold. Based on a novel by Selma Lagerloff, the story is a persevering-through-the-years yarn, replete with sacrifice, suffering, misunderstanding and redemption. It's a multi-layered story, and not an easy one to follow, but Molander had already proven himself the master of narrative complexity with such silent films as Sir Arne's Treasure, which he scripted for Mauritz Stiller. Molander protégé Birgit Selenius carries off the title role with charm, finesse and depth. Amazingly, the director tells the entire story within an 85-minute timeframe, yet nothing seems rushed or forced.