The movie starts with a dance of midsummer evening.There the richest farm-owner of the village, Eetu Mikkola (Aku Käyhkö) tries to woo the beautiful Leena Koski (Helena Koskinen).She has no interest what so ever on the obnoxious Eetu, but she does fancy the riverman Erkki (Urho Somersalmi).Her father Kustaa (Hemmo Kallio) would rather see Leena with the rich Eetu than the riverman.Eetu and his men start a war against Erkki.Erkki Karu directed Tukkipojan morsian in 1931 and it is known as the first talkie in Finland.Partially it still does seem like a silent picture using the intertitles to explain some of the events happening on the screen.All the actors do a good job.Urho Somersalmi and Helena Koskinen make a terrific couple in the lead.Koskinen is fantastic with her seducing looks.No wonder men are fighting over her.Aku Käyhkö does his villain's part very well.Hemmo Kallio is brilliant as the father.Then there are Uuno Montonen as Kantola, Thörild Bröderman and Hilma Jorma as Erkki's parents.The great Aku Korhonen appears as Eetu's friend.This movie is 75 years old now.In that time Finnish movies and movies in general have changed a lot.In one scene the villagers play round game and sing Kalliolle kukkulalle.It's a beautiful scene.Beautiful, and almost surreal.It's like they sing and dance themselves into history.
