Ljuvlig är sommarnatten (1961)
A Swedish whodunit thriller where a small-town murder turns every member of an all-star cast into a suspect.
Ljuvlig är sommarnatten - Movie Information
- Original Title: Ljuvlig är sommarnatten
- Release Year: 1961
- Directed by: Arne Mattsson
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Thriller, Crime
- Runtime: 1h 42m
- Original Language: Swedish
- Spoken Languages: Swedish
- Release Date (Theatrical): August 17, 1961 (Sweden - 15)
- Alternative Titles: Sommarnatten (SE)
- Production Companies: Europa Film
- Production Countries: Sweden
Ljuvlig är sommarnatten - Plot
Someone is murdered. Who is the killer? Members of all star cast are all suspects...
Where to Watch Ljuvlig är sommarnatten
Looking for where to watch Ljuvlig är sommarnatten?
Compare all viewing options available in your region on JustWatch ↗
Ljuvlig är sommarnatten - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Arne Mattsson
Main Cast
- Karl-Arne Holmsten
- Sif Ruud
- Erik Hell
- Christina Carlwind
- Folke Sundquist
- Elisabeth Odén
- Per Oscarsson
- Angelo Zanolli
- Hjördis Petterson
- Stig Järrel
Writers
- Maria Lang
Producers
- Sigurd Jørgensen
Ljuvlig är sommarnatten - FAQs
What is Ljuvlig är sommarnatten about?
Ljuvlig är sommarnatten is a classic Swedish whodunit set in a small town where a murder throws an entire community into suspicion. Every member of the ensemble cast is a potential killer, and detective Christer Wijk must untangle a web of secrets, gossip, and hidden motives to find the truth.
Is Ljuvlig är sommarnatten based on a true story?
No, the film is not based on real events. It's adapted from the work of Maria Lang, the pen name of Swedish crime writer Dagmar Lange, one of Sweden's most popular mystery authors. Her detective novels featuring Christer Wijk were beloved for their small-town atmosphere and intricate, character-driven plotting.
Who are the main actors in Ljuvlig är sommarnatten?
The film boasts an impressive ensemble, including Karl-Arne Holmsten as detective Christer Wijk, alongside Sif Ruud, Erik Hell, Per Oscarsson, and Stig Järrel. The broad roster of recognizable Swedish talent is part of what makes the whodunit structure so effective — everyone feels like a plausible suspect.
Who directed this 1961 Swedish thriller?
Arne Mattsson directed the film. A prolific Swedish filmmaker well known for genre pictures, Mattsson had a strong command of suspense. His work here reflects his skill at building tension within intimate, community-based settings, making excellent use of the whodunit format and its ensemble of morally ambiguous characters.
What genre is Ljuvlig är sommarnatten?
It's a Crime Thriller with a strong whodunit flavour. The film blends classic murder-mystery storytelling — small town, a dead body, a detective, and a cast full of suspects — with the atmospheric tension typical of Scandinavian crime fiction of the era, making it a compelling watch for genre fans.
What is the small-town setting's role in the story?
The small Swedish town setting amplifies the drama considerably. In tight-knit communities, everyone knows everyone else's secrets — or thinks they do. The summer backdrop, local gossip, a wedding, and simmering social tensions all feed into the mystery's atmosphere, making the community itself feel like a character.
What are films similar to Ljuvlig är sommarnatten?
If you enjoy ensemble whodunits, check out Crooked House (2017), Shimmer Lake (2017), and Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005). For classic mystery fans, Miss Marple: 4.50 from Paddington (1987) and Dead Man's Folly (1986) offer a similarly cosy yet suspenseful small-community murder mystery experience.
When was Ljuvlig är sommarnatten released?
The film premiered in Sweden on August 17, 1961. Produced by Europa Film, it is also known under the alternative Swedish title Sommarnatten. It stands as a notable entry in Swedish genre cinema of the early 1960s, showcasing the era's appetite for home-grown crime and thriller storytelling.
More About Ljuvlig är sommarnatten
Explore further details about this film on these authoritative resources.