"Riget II" (1997) TV mini-series

Directors:

Morten Arnfred
Lars von Trier

Writers:

Niels Vørsel (writer)
Lars von Trier (writer)

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

1 November 1997 (Denmark)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Fantasy | Horror | Mystery

Plot:

It starts with the birth of "Little Brother", the son of diabolical murderer Aage Kroeger and the nurse Judith...

Plot Keywords:

Hospital | Dishwasher | Poison | Doctor | Evil

Awards:

4 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Ernst-Hugo Järegård	...	Stig Helmer (4 episodes, 1997)
Peter Mygind	...	Mogge (4 episodes, 1997)
Kirsten Rolffes	...	Sigrid Drusse (4 episodes, 1997)
Holger Juul Hansen	...	Dr. Moesgaard (4 episodes, 1997)
Søren Pilmark	...	Krogshøj (4 episodes, 1997)
Ghita Nørby	...	Rigmor Mortensen (4 episodes, 1997)
Jens Okking	...	Bulder (4 episodes, 1997)
Ole Boisen	...	Christian (4 episodes, 1997)
Erik Wedersøe	...	Ole (4 episodes, 1997)
Baard Owe	...	Prof. Palle Bondo (4 episodes, 1997)
Birgitte Raaberg	...	Judith Bang Petersen (4 episodes, 1997)
Henning Jensen	...	Bob (4 episodes, 1997)
Laura Christensen	...	Mona (4 episodes, 1997)
Ulrik Cold	...	Narrator (4 episodes, 1997)
Peter Gilsfort	...	Dishwasher 2 (4 episodes, 1997)
John Hahn-Petersen	...	Nivesen (4 episodes, 1997)
Paul Hüttel	...	Dr. Steenbaek (4 episodes, 1997)
Vita Jensen	...	Dish washer 1 (4 episodes, 1997)
Ruth Junker	...	Dishwasher 1 (4 episodes, 1997)
Udo Kier	...	Aage Krüger / ... (4 episodes, 1997)
Morten Rotne Leffers	...	Dish Washer 2 (4 episodes, 1997)
Birthe Neumann	...	Mrs. Svendsen (3 episodes, 1997)
Otto Brandenburg	...	Hansen (3 episodes, 1997)
Louise Fribo	...	Susanne Jeppesen -- Sanne (3 episodes, 1997)
Claus Nissen	...	Madsen (3 episodes, 1997)
Holger Perfort	...	Professor Ulrich (3 episodes, 1997)
Lise Schrøder	...	Nurse 2 (3 episodes, 1997)
Tomas Stender	...	Student (3 episodes, 1997)
Lars von Trier	...	Himself (3 episodes, 1997)
Julie Wieth	...	Pediatric Nurse (3 episodes, 1997)
Thomas Bo Larsen	...	Falken (2 episodes, 1997)
Michelle Bjørn-Andersen	...	Pediatrician (2 episodes, 1997)
Claus Flygare	...	Detective Nielsen (2 episodes, 1997)
Solbjørg Højfeldt	...	Camilla (2 episodes, 1997)
Kim Jansson	...	Detective Jensen (2 episodes, 1997)
Søren Elung Jensen	...	Man in Top Hat (2 episodes, 1997)
Annette Ketscher	...	Nurse -- Casualty (2 episodes, 1997)
Tine Miehe-Renard	...	Night Nurse (2 episodes, 1997)
Dorit Stender Petersen	...	Assisting nurse (2 episodes, 1997)
Mette Munk Plum	...	Mona's Mother (2 episodes, 1997)
Steen Svare	...	Man in Overalls (2 episodes, 1997)
Klaus Wegener	...	Doctor -- Casualty (2 episodes, 1997)

Also Known As:

The Kingdom II (France) (theatrical title) (USA)
Geister II (Germany)
Hospital der Geister - Teil 2 (Germany) (video title)
L'hôpital et ses fantômes (France)
Lars von Triers Riget II (Denmark) (DVD box title)
Riket 2 (Norway)

Runtime:

286 min

Country:

Sweden | Italy | France | Norway | Germany | Denmark

Language:

Danish | Swedish

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Germany:16 | Iceland:14 | Australia:R (DVD rating) | Hong Kong:IIB | Norway:15 | South Korea:18 | Sweden:15

Filming Locations:

Copenhagen, Denmark

Company:

Danmarks Radio (DR)

Trivia:

Reportedly, a third installment of the series was prepared but scrapped as several of the leading actors either passed away or retired within a relatively short period of time.

Quotes:

Stig Helmer: No more Mr. Nice Guy!

Movie Connections:

Featured in Lars from 1-10 (1998)

Hungry for More

I have just finished watching Kingdom I and Kingdom II from the Independent Film Channel. It left off with too many things left unresolved. I have not seen the Stephen King version as yet (I'm waiting for the 1st season and/or complete series depending on renewal) and I wanted to catch up on the characters.

I found it odd that Hook from Kingdom is Kroj in Kingdom II unless Kroj is Danish for Hook. The reveal of the agent of Satan was a surprise. One would like to think that this agent and the Satanists are found out and put down. It is ironic that Christian endangers Sanne and Mogge by trying to impress her. One looks forward to seeing the lying Swede meet the writer whose work he had stolen. The Downs Syndrome Greek chorus works better in subtitled Danish than it does in English I hear.

In other words, despite the 9 hour length of both Kingdoms together, one does get caught up in the karma of its characters. The perverse pavane they dance around each other is fascinating to watch. One would hope that good will be rewarded and evil at least slowed down a bit.

However, it has been several years since Kingdom II and I see no listing of a Kingdom III on the Lars Von Trier horizon. Perhaps the cast cannot be reunited or lacks the urge to do so. Perhaps they are no longer available. If nothing else, maybe it could be done as a graphic novel.

Whatever the case, I highly recommend Kingdoms I & II for former Twin Peaks fans and other lovers of the character driven grotesque allegories. However, be prepared to be left hanging and hungry for more.

Let there be a Kingdom III. Let there be a Kingdom I & II on DVD in the USA.