The Polar Bear King

The Polar Bear King is a Norwegian fantasy-adventure film from 1991 that tells the story of a young princess named Kristin who is kidnapped by a group of trolls who plan to marry her off to their leader, the Polar Bear King. Kristin's father, the King, sends a group of warriors to rescue her, but they are defeated by the trolls and Kristin is left to fend for herself in the troll kingdom.

While in captivity, Kristin meets the Polar Bear King himself, who, despite his frightening appearance, shows her kindness and takes her under his wing. As she spends more time with him, she begins to see him as something more than just a monster, and starts to develop feelings for him.

Meanwhile, back in her own kingdom, the King is desperate to find his daughter and enlists the help of a young prince named Gudbrand, who has his own reasons for wanting to rescue Kristin. Together, Gudbrand and the King lead a group of soldiers into the troll kingdom to rescue the princess and defeat the trolls once and for all.

The Polar Bear King is a visually stunning film with breathtaking landscapes and imaginative creatures. The trolls are particularly well-done with their grotesque appearances, and the Polar Bear King's transformation from animal to man is seamlessly executed.

The performances are also solid, with Maria Bonnevie giving a standout turn as Kristin. She imbues the character with a quiet but strong resilience, and her chemistry with Jack Fjeldstad's Polar Bear King is palpable.

Tobias Hoesl as Gudbrand may not be as memorable, but he holds his own in the action scenes and serves as a reliable hero in the somewhat convoluted plot.

The Polar Bear King may not be a well-known film outside of Norway, but it deserves a wider audience. It is a timeless fairytale with themes of love and acceptance that are relevant to all cultures and generations. The film's memorable visuals and strong performances make it an underrated gem of the fantasy genre.