Bussen (film)
Encyclopedia
Bussen is a 1961 Norwegian comedy film
, directed by Arne Skouen and starring Leif Juster
, and a strikingly similar 1963 Danish comedy film
directed by Finn Henriksen
and starring Dirch Passer
. The plot and script is essentially the same in both films (and also a couple of names). The Danish version is made suitable for a Danish audience. The music to the Norwegian version was written by Maj Sønstevold
and Gunnar Sønstevold
, with additional songs written by Alf Prøysen
. The original main character was written for Leif Juster. At this point in his career, Juster was a popular movie actor. It is possible that Arne Skouen was inspired by a narrative poem written by the poet Ingeborg Refling Hagen
, about a milkman who is constantly running errands because of his good heart.
-based, and the Danish film is made in a more Chaplin
-like tradition. The kind humanity of the chauffeur is more present in the Norwegian version. As Passer was younger, the element of romance
is more central in the Danish version as well. In both films, the protagonist saves and cares for a small girl (Kaja in the Norwegian version - played by Synne Skouen, daughter of Arne Skouen), whose mother is falling to pieces. In the Danish version, the protagonist falls in love with the mother, and they form a new family for the girl. In the Norwegian version, the interactment is solely with the daughter, and the mother is passed off as a "lost case". The bus driver is said to have delivered Kaja in the bus, and promises to take care of her as a daughter. "The man being there at birth is the truest father", he says.
The three moss
collectors are not present in the Danish version. The moss collectors, earning their way by selling moss (for isolation, one presumes) and then spending their income on booze
, serves as a kind of greek chorus
in the film, and relates the background of Thorvald the driver. When he feels the community does not need him anymore, he yields to their wish and follows them to their "natural habitat" in the most reclusive part of the area. The three collectors talk and act as one, as two of them just repeat the words of the leader.
The element of criticism towards a kind of progress which tends to de-humanize a society is present in both films, presented in the midwife's speech at the end of the film, identical in both versions:
So, you`re all been hooked up on modernizing? Have you all forgotten? You have a choice between a punched card
and Thorvald, and then you reject Thorvald? You did not reject him at times when you sorely needed him. Remember? (she turns to each and one of them). Somebody turning red? Maybe you are in debt? You, bellringer, have seen a lot, just like the old midwife. Thorvald was handy in a lot of troubles, while his bus was kept waiting. Oh, that long goof. He has to be pretty stupid, being fair with you all these years, lending you a hand in all matters. That is the reason he`s getting delayed. But who`s delaying him? Remember when you delayed him, Moen? Much was at stake then. Did you ever thank him? Now we`ll have a streamlined bus, jetdriven, now we will sail into the modern times, with airbags in the bottom and plugged ears. All the old models shall be dumped. And we are in such a great hurry, that the only thing that remains after you and me, are a punch in a card! So we will throw Thorvald to the junkyard. He is, after all of the old sort. He has got the time for your kids every morning when they need him. And if anyone seems to mean they need Thorvald, now more than ever before, call before he is dumped. We could use him as a scarecrow. For he shines, you see. There is something in him that endures all kinds of weather.
A small political statement is made at the very end of the Norwegian movie, while Thorvald is driving his new bus: Hoisting of the Norwegian Flag, only seen briefly from inside the bus. This could be interpreted as a victory for the democratic tradition i Norway (as Arne Schouen was a left-winger of the old sort).
, which is the location of the film. The only person to speak regular bokmål
is the antagonist, the county clerk (and some members of the council, equally sceptical until they are set straight). This language trait is lost in the Danish version.
philosopher Diogenes
. As he reads, (sitting on a barrel
and wearing a towel
), he identifies himself with this philosopher, and relates his own version of Diogenes's words in his meeting with Alexander the great: "Move aside, so that the sun may shine on me". He states that he would like to meet this man.
Comedy film
Comedy film is a genre of film in which the main emphasis is on humour. They are designed to elicit laughter from the audience. Comedies are mostly light-hearted dramas and are made to amuse and entertain the audiences...
, directed by Arne Skouen and starring Leif Juster
Leif Juster
Leif Juster was a Norwegian comedian, singer and actor, arguably the most popular of his generation in Norway. Juster started out as a variety show performer, and for a period he ran the theater Edderkoppen...
, and a strikingly similar 1963 Danish comedy film
Comedy film
Comedy film is a genre of film in which the main emphasis is on humour. They are designed to elicit laughter from the audience. Comedies are mostly light-hearted dramas and are made to amuse and entertain the audiences...
directed by Finn Henriksen
Finn Henriksen
Finn Henriksen was a Danish film director and screenwriter. He directed 17 films and wrote for 19 between 1960 and 1989.He was born in Randers, Denmark.-Filmography:* Jydekompagniet 3 * Jydekompagniet...
and starring Dirch Passer
Dirch Passer
Dirch Hartvig Passer was a celebrated Danish actor. He was greatly renowned for his improvisational skills and, with a filmography comprising 90 movies, one of Denmark's most prolific actors....
. The plot and script is essentially the same in both films (and also a couple of names). The Danish version is made suitable for a Danish audience. The music to the Norwegian version was written by Maj Sønstevold
Maj Sønstevold
Maj Sønstevold was a Swedish composer who lived and worked in Norway.-Biography:Maj Sønstevold was born in Sollefteå, Sweden. She studied piano in Stockholm and with Billy Mayerl in London. She married Norwegian composer Gunnar Sønstevold and in 1945 moved to Norway where she worked as a composer...
and Gunnar Sønstevold
Gunnar Sønstevold
Gunnar Sønstevold was a Norwegian composer. He was born in Elverum, and married composer Maj Sønstevold in 1941. He composed orchestral works, vocal music, chamber music, and music to a number of plays, ballets and films. He headed the Music Department of the Norwegian Broadcasting...
, with additional songs written by Alf Prøysen
Alf Prøysen
Alf Prøysen , was a writer and musician from Norway. He was born at Rudshøgda in Ringsaker. Prøysen was one of the most important Norwegian cultural personalities in the second half of the twentieth century, and he made significant contributions to literature, music, TV and radio.His childhood was...
. The original main character was written for Leif Juster. At this point in his career, Juster was a popular movie actor. It is possible that Arne Skouen was inspired by a narrative poem written by the poet Ingeborg Refling Hagen
Ingeborg Refling Hagen
Ingeborg Refling Hagen was a Norwegian author and teacher.- Early life :Ingeborg Refling Hagen was born in Hedmark, Norway, in the parish Tangen besides Mjøsa, as the fourth child of the local miller...
, about a milkman who is constantly running errands because of his good heart.
Norwegian Cast
- Leif JusterLeif JusterLeif Juster was a Norwegian comedian, singer and actor, arguably the most popular of his generation in Norway. Juster started out as a variety show performer, and for a period he ran the theater Edderkoppen...
- Busschauffeur Thorvald - Lalla CarlsenLalla CarlsenLalla Carlsen was a Norwegian singer and actress, and is regarded as one of the most legendary female revue artists in Norway.-Personal life:...
- Klara Tallerud, midwife - Egil Hjorth-JenssenEgil Hjorth-JenssenEgil Hjorth-Jenssen was a Norwegian actor and theatre director. He made his stage debut in 1914 at Stavanger Teater, and later played at several Oslo theatres, including at Nationaltheatret from 1934 to 1937...
- Tallerud, Mayor - Tore FossTore FossTore Foss was a Norwegian singer, actor and theatre director. He made his stage début at Chat Noir in 1927. He played at Balkongen from 1927 to 1928, and later worked for Nationaltheatret, Det Nye Teater, Centralteatret and Folketeatret. He participated in several films.-References:...
- Haugen, Beadle - Lasse KolstadLasse KolstadLars "Lasse" Kolstad is a Norwegian actor. Active since the 1940s, he is known from many roles, but primarily as "Tevye" in Fiddler on the Roof. He is the brother of late actor Henki Kolstad....
- Lars - Synne SkouenSynne Skouen-Biography:Synne Skouen was born in Oslo. She studied at the Vienna Academy of Music with Alfred Uhl and Erwin Ratz for composition and Dieter Kaufmann and Friedrich Cerha for electronic music...
- Kaja - Frithjof Fearnley - Fjell-Olsen, clerk
- Arve OpsahlArve OpsahlArve Opsahl was a Norwegian movie and stage actor, singer and stand-up comedian.Opsahl began his career as a comedian in 1942, and played numerous roles both on stage and in more than forty movies. He was then chosen to be the head of Olsenbanden, Egon Olsen...
- Måsabjønn (MossMossMosses are small, soft plants that are typically 1–10 cm tall, though some species are much larger. They commonly grow close together in clumps or mats in damp or shady locations. They do not have flowers or seeds, and their simple leaves cover the thin wiry stems...
collector) - Ulf Wengård - Måsabjønn
- Olav Bugge - Måsabjønn
- Kari Sundby - Helga
- Lothar LindtnerLothar LindtnerLothar Lindtner was a Norwegian actor from Bergen who played a large number of roles at The National Theatre...
- Man from bus company - Rolf Sand - Socialist
- Helga Backe - (as Helga Bakke)
- Randi Brænne
- Einar Vaage
- Harald Aimarsen
- Henrik Anker Steen
- Hans Coucheron-Aamot (as H. Coucheron-Aamot)
- Edel EckbladEdel EckbladEdel Eckblad was a Norwegian actress.She acted out of Studioteatret from 1945 to 1950 and Riksteatret from 1951 to 1963 and 1975 to her death. Between 1963 and 1975 she was freelancing. Her filmography includes Bussen and Eddie & Suzanne .She was the older sister of mycologist Finn-Egil...
- Bonne Gauguin
- Mette Lange-Nielsen
- Egil Lorck - Måsabjønn
- Tom RemlovTom RemlovTom Remlov is a Norwegian actor, dramaturg, film procucer, theatre director, and opera manager.He served as theatre director of Den Nationale Scene from 1986 to 1995, and was manager of Norsk Film from 1996 to 2001. He is manager of the Norwegian National Opera and Ballet from 2008.-References:...
Danish Cast
- Dirch PasserDirch PasserDirch Hartvig Passer was a celebrated Danish actor. He was greatly renowned for his improvisational skills and, with a filmography comprising 90 movies, one of Denmark's most prolific actors....
- Buschauffør Martin - Malene SchwartzMalene SchwartzMalene Schwartz is a Danish film actress. She has appeared in 38 films since 1955.She was born in Frederiksberg, Denmark.-Filmography:* Flammen & Citronen * Reconstruction * Dykkerdrengen...
- Else - Lily BrobergLily BrobergLily Broberg was a Danish stage and film actress.- Filmography :*Lev livet let - 1944*Bedstemor går amok - 1945*En ny dag gryer - 1945*Panik i familien - 1945*Diskret ophold - 1946...
- Emma - Karl SteggerKarl SteggerKarl Stegger was a Danish actor, who appeared in 157 films which makes him the most used Danish actor....
- Sigurd - Paul HagenPaul HagenPaul Hagen was a Danish film actor. He appeared in over 100 films between 1952 and 1999.He was born in Denmark and died in Langø, Denmark.-Filmography:*Far betaler - 1946*Avismanden - 1952...
- Kæmneren - Ove SprogøeOve SprogøeOve Wendelboe Sprogøe Petersen was a Danish actor. Born in Odense, his parents were Arthur and Inger Sprogøe. He married Eva Rasmussen in 1945, with whom he had three children. One of these is actor Henning Sprogøe....
- Vik - Lone HertzLone HertzLone Hertz is a Danish film actress. She has appeared in 40 films since 1951.She was born in Denmark.-Filmography:* Bella, min Bella * Når engle elsker * Den korte sommer...
- Helga - Axel StrøbyeAxel StrøbyeAxel Strøbye was a Danish film actor. He appeared in over 100 films between 1951 and 2000.He was born in Frederiksberg, Denmark and died in Copenhagen, Denmark.-Selected filmography:* I kongens klæ'r...
- Lars - Gunnar LemvighGunnar LemvighGunnar Lemvigh was a Danish film actor. He appeared in 52 films between 1939 and 1977.He was born in Copenhagen, Denmark and died in Denmark.-Filmography:* Familien Gyldenkål vinder valget...
- Overbetjent Madsen - Ole MontyOle MontyOle Monty was a Danish film actor. He appeared in 65 films between 1937 and 1976.He was born in Copenhagen, Denmark and died in Denmark.-Filmography:*Flådens blå matroser - 1937*Under byens tage - 1938...
- Inspektøren - Grethe Mogensen - Marie
- Arthur JensenArthur Jensen (actor)Arthur Jensen was a Danish actor whose career lasted for almost 60 years. He made his début on stage at the Royal Danish Theatre in 1923, and he had his big screen début in the silent film Pas på pigerne in 1930....
- Kromand - Tove MaësTove MaësTove Maës was a Danish actress of stage, television and film best known for her starring roles in the series of "Morten Korch" films, in particular The Red Horses. Maës was a three-time recipient of the Bodil Award for Best Actress, winning in 1954, 1971, and 1983.-Career:Maës was born in...
- Sofie - Valsø HolmValsø HolmValsø Holm was a Danish film actor. He appeared in 80 films between 1937 and 1982.He was born in Copenhagen, Denmark and died in Denmark.-Filmography:*En søndag på Amager - 1941...
- Jesper - Hugo HerrestrupHugo HerrestrupHugo Herrestrup is a Danish film actor. He appeared in 35 films between 1953 and 1996.He was born in Copenhagen, Denmark.-Selected filmography:* Father of Four * Sømand i knibe...
- Harry - Aage Winther-JørgensenAage Winther-Jørgensen-Filmography:*Præsten i Vejlby - 1931*Skaf en sensation - 1934*Det gyldne smil - 1935*Elverhøj - 1939*Sørensen og Rasmussen - 1940*En søndag på Amager - 1941*Afsporet - 1942*Drama på slottet - 1943...
- Smeden - Gunnar StrømvadGunnar StrømvadGunnar Strømvad was a Danish film actor. He appeared in 34 films between 1940 and 1971.He was born and died in Denmark.-Filmography:* Den forsvundne fuldmægtig * Olsen-banden i Jylland...
- Medlem af sognerådet - Poul ThomsenPoul ThomsenPoul Thomsen was a Danish film actor. He appeared in 70 films between 1944 and 1985.He was born in Præstø, Denmark and died in Denmark.-Selected filmography:* Otte akkorder - 1944...
- Mand der råber efter Lars - Albert Watson
- Anne Dencker
- Minna JørgensenMinna JørgensenMinna Jørgensen was a Danish film actress. She appeared in 28 films between 1939 and 1964.She was born in Copenhagen, Denmark and died in Denmark.-Selected filmography:* Letter from the Dead...
- Lone Lindorff
Plot
The protagonist is a jovial bus driver, well beloved by his passengers, essentially the whole community around him. The bus, however, is old, and needs to be replaced. The bus driver himself is also needed as a handyman for all the people around him, assisting with stray cattle, household machines, children's homework, errands of all kinds, and at one occasion, assisting birth. Progress is however leaving him behind, and the local county council plots on a solution, involving a new bus and driver. The community revolts, and the local midwife (married to the mayor) intervenes with all the locals to keep the bus driver, who ends up keeping his job in a new bus.Differences
There are, however, some small plot differences, mainly based on the casting of the main character. Leif Juster was older than Dirch Passer, and presents a calmer humour. Juster was turning 51, while Passer was 37 at the time of the respective shootings. Passer's interpretation is more SlapstickSlapstick
Slapstick is a type of comedy involving exaggerated violence and activities which may exceed the boundaries of common sense.- Origins :The phrase comes from the batacchio or bataccio — called the 'slap stick' in English — a club-like object composed of two wooden slats used in Commedia dell'arte...
-based, and the Danish film is made in a more Chaplin
Charlie Chaplin
Sir Charles Spencer "Charlie" Chaplin, KBE was an English comic actor, film director and composer best known for his work during the silent film era. He became the most famous film star in the world before the end of World War I...
-like tradition. The kind humanity of the chauffeur is more present in the Norwegian version. As Passer was younger, the element of romance
Romance film
Romance films are love stories that focus on passion, emotion, and the affectionate involvement of the main characters and the journey that their love takes through courtship or marriage. Romance films make the love story or the search for love the main plot focus...
is more central in the Danish version as well. In both films, the protagonist saves and cares for a small girl (Kaja in the Norwegian version - played by Synne Skouen, daughter of Arne Skouen), whose mother is falling to pieces. In the Danish version, the protagonist falls in love with the mother, and they form a new family for the girl. In the Norwegian version, the interactment is solely with the daughter, and the mother is passed off as a "lost case". The bus driver is said to have delivered Kaja in the bus, and promises to take care of her as a daughter. "The man being there at birth is the truest father", he says.
The three moss
Moss
Mosses are small, soft plants that are typically 1–10 cm tall, though some species are much larger. They commonly grow close together in clumps or mats in damp or shady locations. They do not have flowers or seeds, and their simple leaves cover the thin wiry stems...
collectors are not present in the Danish version. The moss collectors, earning their way by selling moss (for isolation, one presumes) and then spending their income on booze
Alcoholic beverage
An alcoholic beverage is a drink containing ethanol, commonly known as alcohol. Alcoholic beverages are divided into three general classes: beers, wines, and spirits. They are legally consumed in most countries, and over 100 countries have laws regulating their production, sale, and consumption...
, serves as a kind of greek chorus
Greek chorus
A Greek chorus is a homogenous, non-individualised group of performers in the plays of classical Greece, who comment with a collective voice on the dramatic action....
in the film, and relates the background of Thorvald the driver. When he feels the community does not need him anymore, he yields to their wish and follows them to their "natural habitat" in the most reclusive part of the area. The three collectors talk and act as one, as two of them just repeat the words of the leader.
The element of criticism towards a kind of progress which tends to de-humanize a society is present in both films, presented in the midwife's speech at the end of the film, identical in both versions:
So, you`re all been hooked up on modernizing? Have you all forgotten? You have a choice between a punched card
Punched card
A punched card, punch card, IBM card, or Hollerith card is a piece of stiff paper that contains digital information represented by the presence or absence of holes in predefined positions...
and Thorvald, and then you reject Thorvald? You did not reject him at times when you sorely needed him. Remember? (she turns to each and one of them). Somebody turning red? Maybe you are in debt? You, bellringer, have seen a lot, just like the old midwife. Thorvald was handy in a lot of troubles, while his bus was kept waiting. Oh, that long goof. He has to be pretty stupid, being fair with you all these years, lending you a hand in all matters. That is the reason he`s getting delayed. But who`s delaying him? Remember when you delayed him, Moen? Much was at stake then. Did you ever thank him? Now we`ll have a streamlined bus, jetdriven, now we will sail into the modern times, with airbags in the bottom and plugged ears. All the old models shall be dumped. And we are in such a great hurry, that the only thing that remains after you and me, are a punch in a card! So we will throw Thorvald to the junkyard. He is, after all of the old sort. He has got the time for your kids every morning when they need him. And if anyone seems to mean they need Thorvald, now more than ever before, call before he is dumped. We could use him as a scarecrow. For he shines, you see. There is something in him that endures all kinds of weather.
A small political statement is made at the very end of the Norwegian movie, while Thorvald is driving his new bus: Hoisting of the Norwegian Flag, only seen briefly from inside the bus. This could be interpreted as a victory for the democratic tradition i Norway (as Arne Schouen was a left-winger of the old sort).
Language
The Norwegian version leans strongly on Eastern Norwegian dialect, somewhere between the old Oslo dialect and the closely related tongue of RomerikeRomerike
Romerike is a traditional district located north-east of Oslo, in what is today south-eastern Norway. It consists of the Akershus municipalities Fet, Lørenskog, Nittedal, Rælingen, Skedsmo, Sørum and Aurskog-Høland in the southern end , and Ullensaker, Gjerdrum, Nannestad, Nes, Eidsvoll and Hurdal...
, which is the location of the film. The only person to speak regular bokmål
Bokmål
Bokmål is one of two official Norwegian written standard languages, the other being Nynorsk. Bokmål is used by 85–90% of the population in Norway, and is the standard most commonly taught to foreign students of the Norwegian language....
is the antagonist, the county clerk (and some members of the council, equally sceptical until they are set straight). This language trait is lost in the Danish version.
Literary reference in the film
The bus driver is seen in his humble home, reading a passage about the greekGreeks
The Greeks, also known as the Hellenes , are a nation and ethnic group native to Greece, Cyprus and neighboring regions. They also form a significant diaspora, with Greek communities established around the world....
philosopher Diogenes
Diogenes of Sinope
Diogenes the Cynic was a Greek philosopher and one of the founders of Cynic philosophy. Also known as Diogenes of Sinope , he was born in Sinope , an Ionian colony on the Black Sea , in 412 or 404 BCE and died at Corinth in 323 BCE.Diogenes of Sinope was a controversial figure...
. As he reads, (sitting on a barrel
Barrel
A barrel or cask is a hollow cylindrical container, traditionally made of vertical wooden staves and bound by wooden or metal hoops. Traditionally, the barrel was a standard size of measure referring to a set capacity or weight of a given commodity. A small barrel is called a keg.For example, a...
and wearing a towel
Towel
A towel is a piece of absorbent fabric or paper used for drying or wiping. It draws moisture through direct contact, often using a blotting or a rubbing motion. Common household textile towels are made from cotton, rayon, bamboo, nonwoven fibers or a few other materials.-Types of towels:* A bath...
), he identifies himself with this philosopher, and relates his own version of Diogenes's words in his meeting with Alexander the great: "Move aside, so that the sun may shine on me". He states that he would like to meet this man.