Song of the Scarlet Flower (1919) in Color — Starring Lars Hanson & Edith Erastoff

Song of the Scarlet Flower (1919) — Buy This Classic in Color

Discover Song of the Scarlet Flower, originally titled Sången om den eldröda blomman, Mauritz Stiller’s 1919 Swedish romantic drama starring Lars Hanson, Edith Erastoff, and Greta Almroth, now available as a professionally colorized version. Own this classic movie in color as a DRM-free MP4 digital download for just €15.00.

Plot Summary

Olof Koskela is the restless, passionate son of a wealthy Finnish landowner who rebels against his father’s authority and the rigid expectations of rural society. Expelled from his home after a scandalous love affair, Olof becomes a lumberjack and log driver, drifting through the wild Finnish forests and from one romantic entanglement to the next. He seduces and abandons women with reckless charm — a farm girl, a merchant’s daughter, a wealthy widow — leaving a trail of broken hearts and growing consequences. But Olof’s carefree wandering carries a deeper emptiness, and the natural beauty of the Nordic wilderness mirrors his own turbulent soul. His journey takes him through the most spectacular landscapes of Scandinavia, from dense pine forests to rushing rivers swollen with spring meltwater, as Stiller uses the grandeur of nature to reflect Olof’s inner turmoil. When he finally encounters genuine love in the form of the gentle Kyllikki, Olof must confront whether he can abandon his wastrel ways and become worthy of real commitment. Forced to reckon with the wreckage of his past and the people he has hurt, he discovers that true freedom lies not in escape but in responsibility and the courage to change. This classic movie is a visually stunning Nordic drama about youth, passion, and the painful journey toward maturity.

Cast & Crew

Director: Mauritz Stiller

Stars: Lars Hanson, Edith Erastoff, Greta Almroth, Lillebil Ibsen, John Ekman, Nils Lundell

Lars Hanson delivers a magnetic, physically expressive performance as Olof, capturing the character’s reckless vitality and his gradual awakening to the consequences of his actions. Hanson’s screen presence is extraordinary — he conveys volumes through gesture and expression in this silent film, making Olof both infuriating and deeply sympathetic. Edith Erastoff brings warmth and quiet strength to her role, while Greta Almroth and Lillebil Ibsen provide contrasting feminine presences that highlight the different facets of Olof’s romantic journey. The ensemble work reflects the naturalistic acting style that distinguished Swedish silent cinema from its more theatrical contemporaries.

Why Buy This Classic in Color?

Song of the Scarlet Flower was originally filmed in black and white during the golden age of Scandinavian silent cinema. This professionally colorized restoration brings frame-by-frame precision to the breathtaking Finnish landscapes, the rushing rivers of the log-driving sequences, and the pastoral beauty of the Nordic countryside. The colorized version reveals the natural splendor of this restored classic film, transforming the forests, lakes, and meadows of the Nordic landscape into a visual feast that rivals any nature documentary. Now also available in colour.

Buy Song of the Scarlet Flower in color today for just €15.00. Your DRM-free MP4 download is available for instant access.

Historical Significance

Song of the Scarlet Flower is one of the masterpieces of Swedish silent cinema, directed by Mauritz Stiller, who alongside Victor Sjöström defined the golden age of Scandinavian film in the 1910s and 1920s. Lars Hanson’s magnetic performance made him an international star who would go on to work with Lillian Gish and Greta Garbo in Hollywood. Stiller’s innovative use of natural locations — filming the spectacular log drives on real rivers with dangerous stunt work — was revolutionary for its time and influenced generations of filmmakers. The film is based on the Finnish novel by Johannes Linnankoski and reflects the Scandinavian tradition of using nature as both backdrop and metaphor for human emotion. Through colorization, this landmark of early cinema finds new audiences who can experience the visual poetry that made Stiller one of cinema’s first great artists.

Technical Details

• Format: MP4 digital download
• Resolution: HD restored
• Colorized: Professionally colorized from original black and white (i färg)
• Audio: Musical score accompaniment
• Runtime: Approximately 80 minutes
• DRM-free: Yes — watch on any device
• Instant download: Available immediately after purchase
• Price: €15.00

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Movie-Specific Questions

Q: Is this a silent film?
A: Yes, Song of the Scarlet Flower is a 1919 Swedish silent film with intertitles. The download includes a musical score accompaniment that enhances the viewing experience.

Q: Who directed this film?
A: Mauritz Stiller directed this film. He was one of the two giants of Swedish silent cinema, alongside Victor Sjöström, and later discovered Greta Garbo and brought her to Hollywood.

Q: How does colorization transform this silent film?
A: Colorization brings remarkable new life to the Nordic landscapes that are central to the film’s visual storytelling, revealing the lush greens of the pine forests, the blue of rushing rivers, and the golden warmth of the pastoral scenes in ways that deepen the connection between nature and narrative.

Digital Download Questions

Q: What format is the download?
A: The film is delivered as an MP4 file compatible with virtually any device or media player.

Q: Is there DRM on the file?
A: No. The download is completely DRM-free so you can watch it on any device without restrictions.

Q: How quickly can I watch after purchase?
A: Your download link is available instantly after payment, so you can start watching within minutes.

Related Colorized Classics

• June Night (1940)
• City for Conquest (1940)
• The Valley of Decision (1945)
• Ladies of Leisure (1930)
• Arch of Triumph (1948)