The Parson's Widow
Director: Carl Theodor Dreyer
Year Released: 1920
Rating: 3.5
A light-hearted setup (for Dreyer): a young man wants to wed his long-time fiancé, but her (absentee) father won't let them until he becomes a parson - likewise, if he becomes a parson, the local rules state that he has to parry this crotchety, domineering old bag so, thinking he's clever, the preacher sneaks in his fiancé in (claiming she's his sister) with the hopes the spinster won't realize what's going on. Appears rather one-dimensional at the beginning before Dreyer spins the tale in a delightful direction - the old woman isn't quite so cold-hearted, and things end up like a fairy tale: happily ever after. It's a nice break from the pain and suffering of his religious masterpieces, and contains a positive message about earning one's way in life (and love).
