‘The Promised Land’ (2023) Review – A Sweeping Triumph

The Promised Land follows the same premise we’ve seen in dozens of movies. You can’t sift through a big-box store movie bin without encountering a film where a driven main character discovers something to love and hold beyond their ambitious goals. However, what distinguishes Nikolaj Arcel’s ravishing and sweeping period drama is something most films can only dream of achieving. The Promised Land transports you to another time and place.

Directed by Arcel, who co-wrote the script with Anders Thomas Jensen (known for In a Better World), the story follows Ludvig Kahlen (played phenomenally by Mads Mikkelsen), a Danish military captain living in 18th-century Denmark. Kahlen is a captivating character; he’s an officer situated at the lower end of the invisible Danish caste system. High-ranking political figures look down on Ludvig, who hails from a broken family.

This backdrop propels Kahlen, a man hailed as a hero on the battlefield. Now penniless but proud and ambitious, some might even describe him as arrogant. So why not provide him an opportunity to establish a Danish settlement on the heath—a wild and dry land that has been unknowingly depleted by Stone Age farmers, making it now uninhabitable? If he can cultivate a viable crop, he stands to lead the potential colony and earn himself a noble title.

Standing in his way is the story’s villain, an evil and ruthless Frederik De Schinkel (Simon Bennebjerg). He’s a German nobleman who owns most of the surrounding land in the area. Since the heath falls under the king’s jurisdiction, Kahlen serves as King Frederik V’s protector against De Schinkel’s ambitions. Yet, driven by greed and petty desires, De Schinkel perceives the Danish captain as an anomaly—one of the few daring enough to challenge his merciless disposition.

Based on the Danish novel The Captain and Ann Barbara by Ida Jessen, Mr. Arcel’s film works on many levels. From sweeping epic, ravishing love triangle, and even evolving into a touching coming-of-age drama. All of this, however, is wrapped up in a thrilling tale of a political chess match of life and death. Mikkelsen’s Kahlen utilizes the resources around him. Kahlin takes a couple of servants, Ann Barbara (Amanda Collin) and Johannes (Morten Hee Andersen), because De Schinkel has been using Ann for more than just cleaning.

The evil German magistrate also has eyes on marrying his own cousin, Edel (Kristine Kujath Thorp), who only has the eyes of Ludvig. There’s also the local shepherd of souls, Anton (Gustav Lindh), a priest who guides Ludvig through the political minefields. There’s even a child he reluctantly takes in, Anmai Mus (Melina Hagberg). She’s part of a makeshift group of outlaws known as the “Tatere” Romani Travellers. The writing is so good here that you learn about each supporting character.

Not only their role in the story but how it relates to Mikkelsen’s Kahlen and the community that surrounds him. Kahlen’s story is one who is a fish out of water. He is also an evolving character. Instead of Mikkelsen’s performance playing to modify and change the hearts and minds of supporting characters, the reverse is true. It’s captivating to observe Mikkelsen’s portrayal of Kahlen resisting, beginning to crack, and gradually settling into an unwavering path.

The Promised Land is a throwback to period epics that are rarely made today. The script has some awe-inspiring character development, along with its compelling script that’s equally exciting, soulful, and heartfelt. Those qualities are brought out by Rasmus Videbæk’s classically ambitious cinematography and Dan Romer’s gorgeous score.

The fact is, The Promised Land is an uncommon equality of its parts. Nikolaj Arcel never forgets the story and the characters, a trait that modern cinema sometimes lets slip through the cracks and creates a sweeping triumph as a result. 

The Promised Land (2023) will be playing in theaters on February 2nd, 2024, courtesy of Magnolia Pictures. The film is currently on the Oscar shortlist for Best International Film. 

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9U1E9cC5is]