Mördaren - en helt vanlig person (1967)

A Hitchcockian Swedish thriller where passengers are murdered one by one and everyone on board is a suspect.

Mördaren - en helt vanlig person - Movie Information

  • Original Title: Mördaren - en helt vanlig person
  • Release Year: 1967
  • Directed by: Arne Mattsson
  • Type: Movie
  • Genres: Comedy, Mystery, Thriller
  • Runtime: 1h 36m
  • Original Language: Swedish
  • Spoken Languages: Swedish
  • Release Date (Theatrical): January 16, 1967 (Sweden), May 2, 1969 (Germany - 18)
  • Alternative Titles: Murhaaja - aivan tavallinen ihminen (FI), The Sleeping Car Killer (US), Der Schlafwagenmörder (DE)
  • Production Companies: A-Produktion
  • Production Countries: Sweden

Mördaren - en helt vanlig person - Plot

People on a train get murdered. Who is the murderer? Everybody on the train is a suspect. One of them is the homosexual dope fiend played by Heinz Hopf. Things might get out of hand in this exciting thriller in true Hitchcockian style.

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Mördaren - en helt vanlig person - Cast & Crew

Director(s)

  • Arne Mattsson

Main Cast

  • Allan Edwall
  • Heinz Hopf
  • Björn Gustafson
  • Lars Ekborg
  • Elsa Prawitz
  • Nils Hallberg
  • Erik Hell
  • Hans Bendrik
  • Ewa Strömberg
  • Britta Pettersson

Writers

  • Maj Sjöwall
  • Arne Mattsson
  • Per Wahlöö

Mördaren - en helt vanlig person - FAQs

What is Mördaren - en helt vanlig person about?

The film follows a series of murders aboard a moving train, where every passenger becomes a suspect. Directed by Arne Mattsson and inspired by Hitchcock's suspense style, it blends dark comedy with mystery as investigators race to unmask a killer hiding in plain sight among ordinary travelers.

Is there a post-credits or surprise twist ending?

The film leans into classic whodunit tradition, keeping the killer's identity concealed until the final reveal. True to its Hitchcockian inspiration, the twist hinges on the idea that the murderer is, as the title suggests, a completely ordinary person — someone you'd never suspect.

Where can you stream Mördaren - en helt vanlig person?

You can stream Mördaren - en helt vanlig person on Cultpix, a subscription platform specializing in cult and classic world cinema. It's a great fit for the film's niche appeal as a vintage Swedish thriller.

Why is the title translated as The Sleeping Car Killer?

The US release title The Sleeping Car Killer zeroes in on the train setting and the murders that take place in sleeping compartments, making it more immediately marketable to English-speaking audiences. The original Swedish title, meaning 'The Murderer — A Completely Ordinary Person,' emphasizes the film's unsettling social commentary instead.

Who are the main actors in this film?

The cast features Allan Edwall, Heinz Hopf, Björn Gustafson, Lars Ekborg, and Elsa Prawitz among others. Heinz Hopf's portrayal of the eccentric Gregor Hult is particularly memorable, bringing an unsettling edge to the ensemble of train passengers.

Is Mördaren - en helt vanlig person worth watching for thriller fans?

Absolutely — if you enjoy classic Hitchcock-style suspense with a Scandinavian twist, this one delivers. The confined train setting ratchets up tension effectively, the ensemble cast keeps you guessing, and the dark comedic undertones give it a distinctive flavor that sets it apart from typical whodunits of the era.

Who wrote the screenplay for this Swedish thriller?

The script was co-written by Maj Sjöwall and Per Wahlöö — the celebrated crime-writing duo behind the iconic Martin Beck novel series — alongside director Arne Mattsson. Their involvement lends the film a sharp, socially aware edge that elevates it beyond a straightforward genre exercise.

Where was Mördaren - en helt vanlig person filmed?

The film was produced in Sweden by A-Produktion, with much of the action set aboard a train — a claustrophobic environment that amplifies the suspense. The Swedish railway setting gives the film an authentic, grounded atmosphere that contrasts effectively with its darkly comic tone.

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