The Juniper Tree

Name: The Juniper Tree
Genre: Drama, Fantasy
Released: April 10, 1990
Duration: 78 min
Rating: 86
Cast: Björk, Bryndis Petra Bragadóttir, Geirlaug Sunna Þormar, Guðrún Gísladóttir, Valdimar Örn Flygenring

1990

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 6 Critic Reviews

See All

USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 8 Ratings

See All

8.3

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

8.3	Your Score
8.3	User Score Universal acclaim based on 8 Ratings

Would you like to write a review?

There is a 75 character minimum for reviews. If your review contains spoilers, please check the Spoiler box. Please do not use ALL CAPS. There is no linking or other HTML allowed. Your review may be edited for content. 0/5000

Check box if your review contains spoilers

Movie Details & Credits

| Release Date: April 10, 1990 | Not Rated

Starring: Björk, Bryndis Petra Bragadóttir, Geirlaug Sunna Þormar, Guðrún Gísladóttir, Valdimar Örn Flygenring

Movie Facts:

Restored and re-released in 2019 by the Wisconsin Center for Film & Theater Research and the Film Foundation, with funding provided by the George Lucas Family Foundation.

Summary: Margit (Björk) and her older sister, Katla, flee their homeland in Iceland after their mother is killed for practicing witchcraft. Needing a place to stay, Katla casts a spell over a young farmer named Jóhann which makes him fall in love with her, ensuring the wellbeing of herself and Margit. Jóhann's son, Jóhas, sees through Katla's planMargit (Björk) and her older sister, Katla, flee their homeland in Iceland after their mother is killed for practicing witchcraft. Needing a place to stay, Katla casts a spell over a young farmer named Jóhann which makes him fall in love with her, ensuring the wellbeing of herself and Margit. Jóhann's son, Jóhas, sees through Katla's plan and pleads for his father to make her go away. To help Jóhas in his struggle, Margit's mother appears to Margit in visions and provides a magic amulet of protection for the boy. Will Jóhas be able to rid his family of Katla or will she continue to control them with her witchcraft?… Expand

Director: Nietzchka Keene

Genre(s): Drama, Fantasy

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 78 min

See All Details and Credits

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

Andrew Crump

Mar 18, 2019

With The Juniper Tree, [Keene] left behind an impeccable piece of cinema history as her legacy, waiting to be discovered by audiences denied the chance to experience it themselves. Read full review

Richard Brody

Keene films the supernatural tale of timeless rusticity with fanatical attention to the barren and craggy seaside setting; her stunningly spare yet phantasmagorical images fuse the forces of nature with the spirit of mystery. Björk brings an otherworldly calm to her visionary role, and occasionally sings. Read full review

Glenn Kenny

Mar 14, 2019

In watching a newly restored version, I was struck not only by Björk’s distinctive charisma at 24 years old but also by the talent of the film’s writer, director and editor, Nietzchka Keene. Read full review

IndieWire David Ehrlich

Mar 14, 2019

A film that’s dark and delightful and ripe for rediscovery. Read full review

Robert Abele

Apr 16, 2019

Keene made only a couple of films in her abbreviated life, but The Juniper Tree is absorbing enough to make one rue there weren’t more. Read full review

Carson Lund

Mar 14, 2019

The Juniper Tree’s peculiar pedigree as an American indie fueled by European arthouse tropes and constructed with a flair for the avant-garde and the handmade marks it as a welcome rediscovery. Read full review

SEE ALL 6 REVIEWS

Write a Review

Mixed:

No reviews yet.