Gösta Berlings saga – the tale of a drinking priest who joins a group of cavaliers past their prime, lodged by the colourful wife of an army major – was director Mauritz Stiller’s third adaption of the writings of Nobel laureate Selma Lagerlöf. She had been pleased with Herr Arnes pengar (Sir Arne’s Treasure, 1919), but not too happy with Gunnar Hedes saga (The Blizzard, 1923), as she thought Stiller had taken far too many liberties with her source novel En herrgårdssägen (A Manor House Tale). After reading the script of Gösta Berlings saga, she consented to her name being mentioned in the credits as having authorised the adaptation; something she later regretted after watching the final film, as several changes had been made to the script after she had approved it.
When shooting began in August 1923, two of the major female parts – Elisabeth Dohna and her sister-in-law Ebba Dohna – had still not been cast. Stiller contacted his directorial colleague Gustaf Molander, who at the time was also the head of the school of the Royal Dramatic Theatre in Stockholm. Molander advised him to engage two of his students, Greta Gustafsson and Mona Mårtenson. Stiller followed his colleague’s advice, and during the shooting the young Greta Gustafsson changed her family name to Garbo – the rest, as we say, is (film) history!
Garbo’s performance as the Italian wife of the dimwitted son of a count stands out (even though she only first appears towards the end of part I), and her horse-sleigh ride with Lars Hanson on the frozen lake while being chased by wolves is an iconic scene in the history of Swedish cinema. Gerda Lundequist also gives a memorable performance as the master of ceremonies at the mansion where the cavaliers are staying.
The film originally premiered in two parts, a week apart (part I was released on 10 March 1924, with part II following on 17 March); and at this international premiere of the most recent restoration, the two parts are again being screened separately (as in the original, part II begins with a brief recap of the events in part I).

Jon Wengström