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Writer's pictureTini Ismail

Karl-Bertils Julafton

A heartwarming short film to watch on Julafton...


There are good shows including Nyheter på Lätt Svenska (News in simple Swedish) on SVT Play app and it is definitely a great way for me to keep in touch with the language. Unfortunately, not all shows are available for viewing when you are away from Sweden.


I was browsing for something interesting to watch last Christmas when I stumbled upon this show which happens to be available for viewing overseas. YEAH! And I think Isa may have mentioned this film to me before because the title of the film sounded familiar. So, I watched it.


The Film

"Sagan om Karl-Bertil Jonssons Julafton" ("The Tale of Karl-Bertil Jonsson's Christmas Eve) is an adaption from Tage Danielssons short story (of the same name) directed by Per Åhhlin. It was released on 24 December 1975. This is twenty-three-minute film depicts the tale of a 14-year-old Karl-Bertil who steals Christmas gifts from the wealthy to give to the poor people of Stockholm while working in a post office on Christmas Eve.


This film received quite a criticism from critics about the tale's moral nature ever since SVT started broadcasting it annually.



Karl-Bertil is a modern day Robin Hood who, through his actions (although unacceptable), reminds everyone of what Christmas is truly about - generosity and love. In my opinion, this film is a masterpiece! It's got humour. It's charming. A little dark yet heartwarming. Narrated by Tage himself, this is one film that I will always look for to watch on Julafton.

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