The Kingdom
The Kingdom
| 24 November 1994 (USA)
The Kingdom Trailers

Set in the neurosurgical ward of Copenhagen's Rigshospitalet, the city and country's main hospital, nicknamed "Riget", a number of characters, staff and patients alike, encounter bizarre phenomena, both human and supernatural.

Reviews
Incannerax What a waste of my time!!!
WillSushyMedia This movie was so-so. It had it's moments, but wasn't the greatest.
Merolliv I really wanted to like this movie. I feel terribly cynical trashing it, and that's why I'm giving it a middling 5. Actually, I'm giving it a 5 because there were some superb performances.
Francene Odetta It's simply great fun, a winsome film and an occasionally over-the-top luxury fantasy that never flags.
Bene Cumb I can't say I am unfamiliar with what Lars von Trier has created, but I have ambiguous feelings regarding his works. Well, the choice of actors is always wonderful, but the main ideas and progress of events are not always for my liking (the "Land of Opportunities" Trilogy, above all). Nevertheless, I try to know the score and will probably see all his works - with certain intervals.Riget was the works I had heard a lot of good things about, but somehow I did not find the time or opportunity to watch it - as I decided to see all episodes in succession. Despite of not too keen on series with supernatural elements, I became caught by the script and performances almost at once, often with wow! effect, giggling and appreciating fresh and brave approaches, including twisted humour, muted sepia colour scheme, 2 dishwashers with Down Syndrome who discuss the strange events in the hospital, von Trier himself narrating in the end of each episode... All the leading actors are at least good, and most of those young(er) then have become internationally known in Scandinavian Noir productions.True, not all episodes are even, seamless and sometimes the sci-fi element prevailed too much, plus the format and quality made the experience aggravated, but still: Riget was so ahead of time, witty and bold, with elements many considered "gaffe" today, I would easily give 9 points.
Andreas Gustavsson One thing first folks, I've seen loads and I mean loads of horror movies, sci-fi movies, thrillers, mystical movies and so forth. Beginning with Hitchcock's Psycho from the 60's to the Thai-movie Shutter (2004) - and everything between. Everything. I am ashamed that I haven't discovered Riget until now... I've never missed anything, especially not what people call "cult movies". After having seen Riget/The Kingdom 1 and 2 - I'm totally blown away. It began after I saw Kingdom Hospital (Stephen King's adaptation), which I really couldn't "accept" although it's a good series compared to much crap shown on TV today. Being a hard core Stephen King fan I have BIG standards when it comes to the movies that are are adaptations of his great books! Back to Riget/The Kingdom now: This is some sick, dark, humorous, twisted and brilliant s*it! In an absolutely positive way! Never before have I rated a series (only books) with a 10 point grade, I gave the Swedish movie 'Låt Den Rätte Komma In' (American version: Let the Right one In) 9 points - but Riget is something extra alright. Generally I don't like Danes... "Danskjävlar!!!", as Dr. Helmer puts it.. but this is a marvelous piece of art. If you haven't seen it, shame on you! If you don't want to see it, well... keep on watching low calorie movies and series such as Buffy, OK? ;)
Antonio Escobosa You know you are not alone at not loving something when at the end of the first episode of it, Lars shows up telling to the audience that "next episode will be better". This one is such a boring and ridiculous story that made me want to go and return the DVD and forget about giving me my money back....just get this stupid and boring story out of my life! I really don't understand the people that rate it so high. The characters are unlikeable, empty and full of absurd reactions, not to mention the production mistakes that fill the series. May God have mercy on all the people that bought this hoping to get something worth their money for! And I really envy the ones that found something worthy on this one!
Marcin Skoczylas First of all, Riget is wonderful. Good comedy and mystery thriller at the same time. Nice combination of strange 'dogma' style of telling the story together with good music and great actors. But unfortunately there's no 'the end'. As for me it's unacceptable. I was thinking... how it will be possible to continue the story without Helmer and Drusse? ...and I have some idea. I think Lars should make RIGET III a little bit different. I'm sure that 3rd part without Helmer wouldn't be the same. So here's my suggestion. Mayble little bit stupid, maybe not. I know that Lars likes to experiment. So why not to make small experiment with Riget3? I think the only solution here is to create puppet-driven animation (like for example "team America" by Trey Parker) or even computer 3d animation. I know it's not the same as real actors, but in principle I believe it could work... only this way it's possible to make actors alive again. For Riget fans this shouldn't be so big difference - if the animation will be done in good way average 'watcher' will consider it normal just after first few shots of the movie. The most important thing now is the story. It's completely understandable that it's not possible to create Riget 3 with the actors nowadays. So why not to play with animation? And... look for the possibilities that it gives to you! Even marketing one! Great director finishes his trilogy after 10 years using puppet animation. Just dreams?I hope to see Riget 3 someday... or even to see just the script. I'm curious how the story ends... and as I expect- everybody here do.greets, slajps: I'm not talking about the "kingdom hospital" by Stephen King ;-)
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