This cult 90’s haunted hospital tv series from Denmark is the brainchild of controversial producer / director Lars Von Trier, the man behind movies such as Dogville and Antichrist.
Strange things are afoot as the staff and patients go about their business. The sound of a miniature bell ringing signals the arrival of the ghost of a little girl who wanders the passages, unable to rest in peace.
Mrs.Drusse, a patient, can communicate with the dead and she continuously has her son, a hospital porter, ferry her all around in search of the spirit so that she can help it pass over.
This fascinating show has a lot more to it than the ghost story. We also have brain surgeon Helmer who is spiteful of the fact that he has left his beloved Sweden (under a cloud) and has to take a position in a Danish hospital. Dr. Hook, who does not like the arrogant and abrupt surgeon, begins a relationship with a fellow doctor who is carrying another man’s child. A medical student who thinks removing a head from a corpse is a great prank and the hapless boss who creates fantastic comedy scenes worthy of shows such as The Office.
Von Trier himself appears at the end credits of each episode with a brief explanation of events and some accompanying philosophical observations. This (surprisingly) works very well, the man obviously has great pride and enthusiasm for his work and it’s infectious.
Visually this isn’t appealing, it is grainy and almost colourless and the acting can be cheesy in a Europop kind of way but if you can see past these shortcomings this is captivating stuff. The many plotlines combine to create great drama in which the ghost story often takes a peripheral role.
The dvd box set contains both series in full and is loaded with interesting extra features. A planned third series was scrapped following the deaths of two of the leading actors but the show did get a Hollywood revamp in 2004 with Stephen King involved in proceedings, it was re-titled Kingdom Hospital.
Step out of your comfort zone and give it a try.
The Kingdom I & II dvd box set is available in the UK from July 4th 2011.
Ric’s Rating: 74%
Strange things are afoot as the staff and patients go about their business. The sound of a miniature bell ringing signals the arrival of the ghost of a little girl who wanders the passages, unable to rest in peace.
Mrs.Drusse, a patient, can communicate with the dead and she continuously has her son, a hospital porter, ferry her all around in search of the spirit so that she can help it pass over.
This fascinating show has a lot more to it than the ghost story. We also have brain surgeon Helmer who is spiteful of the fact that he has left his beloved Sweden (under a cloud) and has to take a position in a Danish hospital. Dr. Hook, who does not like the arrogant and abrupt surgeon, begins a relationship with a fellow doctor who is carrying another man’s child. A medical student who thinks removing a head from a corpse is a great prank and the hapless boss who creates fantastic comedy scenes worthy of shows such as The Office.
Von Trier himself appears at the end credits of each episode with a brief explanation of events and some accompanying philosophical observations. This (surprisingly) works very well, the man obviously has great pride and enthusiasm for his work and it’s infectious.
Visually this isn’t appealing, it is grainy and almost colourless and the acting can be cheesy in a Europop kind of way but if you can see past these shortcomings this is captivating stuff. The many plotlines combine to create great drama in which the ghost story often takes a peripheral role.
The dvd box set contains both series in full and is loaded with interesting extra features. A planned third series was scrapped following the deaths of two of the leading actors but the show did get a Hollywood revamp in 2004 with Stephen King involved in proceedings, it was re-titled Kingdom Hospital.
Step out of your comfort zone and give it a try.
The Kingdom I & II dvd box set is available in the UK from July 4th 2011.
Ric’s Rating: 74%