Saw this enchanting movie 30 odd years ago. Warner Brothers own the rights, but do not offer it commercially.

For those interested, it may be available on VHS from 'Childhood Visions Movie Club' at cost US$ 39.99 plus taxes and postage. 'Childhood Visions Movie Club' also hire it out on VHS.

It was a most appealing movie. Never forgotten. Fredrik Becklen also appeared appeared in 'Hur Marie Traffard Fredrik" 1969. Probably similar movie, which is mentioned on a Russian Internet Site, in Russian language.

I am surprised that 'HMTF' 1969 is not on your movie clubs wanted list.

A dramatic, fun, and sentimental journey with countryside, sure to capture the attention and sympathy of any fortunate viewer. The film tells the story of 3 characters, Josefin, a little girl who spends her time like a vagabond without any friends to tag along, Hugo, a young boy with a carefree spirit. The 3rd character is the Gardener, their paths cross and are forced to form an unlikely bond. The cinematography is breathtaking, revealing the true beauty and wonder that resides within the Swedish countryside. Likewise, I believe the relationship that develops between Hugo and Josefin to be just as beautiful, portraying two people who want nothing to do with one another, yet, who need each other. There is a deep symbolism present as well, which upon recognition causes the viewer to truly ponder its implications. However, even without the realization of deep allegory, I still believe this film can be considered a gem. The film emphasized the built-in misery Josefin has, that made life for her a grind. There seemed to be something special about her smile that the was able to bring out from her characterization that made her seem better than what she appears be. The beauty of this tale is not in the story itself but in the way it affected the two main characters, Hugo and Josefin. They eventually find something in themselves that they didn't know they had. Though, I must say, the acting by Josefin was grand. Her smile is the reason for seeing the film, along with the fine cinematography. I'm glad the film doesn't suffer from a trite motif in the score unlike other trying too hard to jerk tears. Overall, the film is a heart-warming and bittersweet film that's among the best Sweden has to offer, especially in its child protagonists. 10/10 for the giggles and the smile of Hugo & Josefin and the cycle, kaleidoscope and the dinner sequence.

I saw this at a cinémathèque in Paris in 1969, where it was followed by a discussion with the director. It is a film whose good feelings remain with me even more than 30 years later,

Hugo is a young boy who lives alone and has pretty well raised himself. Josefin is the daughter of the local preacher. Her mother had years before chosen the stable but dull life with the preacher over the exciting but insecure life with the gardener. The gardener returns each summer to practise his trade and fund the adventures he will have in the rest of the year. In the year of the film he befriends the children, and puts excitement in their summer. Although the mother is solid with her prior choice, (there is no question of a revived affair.) she sees a similar dilemma being arranged for her daughter.

The climax of the movie comes when the gardener's summer has ended and he must take his leave, much to the displeasure of the children. He is loath to face them to say good-bye, and tries to leave unnoticed. The children give chase, Hugo by riding his old-fashioned bicycle with the oversized front wheel. When a chair falls from the gardener's truck he must stop to retrieve it, only to find Josefin on the chair with Hugo standing beside her. There follows one of the most delightful dinner scenes on film in which the gardener's furniture is unloaded on the middle of the road, and the dinner proceeds as if they were all at home. At one point in the dinner each of them must take a whole hardboiled egg into his mouth at once to eat. The director announced that Josefin was not told about this before the actual take. The result is wholesome laughter. Ultimately the gardener indeed must leave, and he does so while the children and his furniture remain on the road. He reacts to his own tears by turning on the windshield wipers.