After a lightning strike that split a castle in half, two rivaling families of bandits occupy separate halves; one day, their kids do the one thing they can’t – become friends.

Tage Danielsson’s last film as director is one of the best Astrid Lindgren adaptations, a Romeo and Juliet fairy tale set in a deep Scandinavian forest in what looks like medieval times. The filmmakers lovingly depict shifting seasons, magical creatures add thrills and Björn Isfält’s great music score helps make the merry robbers memorable.

The kids are appealing; unlike the feuding adults, they have sense enough to appreciate each other’s company. Rich performances by Börje Ahlstedt and Lena Nyman, who previously made an impact together in I Am Curious (Yellow) (1967).

1984-Sweden-Norway. 126 min. Color. Directed by Tage Danielsson. Screenplay, Book: Astrid Lindgren. Cinematography: Rune Ericson. Music: Björn Isfält. Cast: Hanna Zetterberg (Ronia), Dan Håfström (Birk), Börje Ahlstedt (Mattis), Lena Nyman, Per Oscarson, Med Reventberg, Allan Edwall, Tommy Körberg… Björn Wallde, Ricky Bruch, Philip Zandén. 

Trivia: Original title: Ronja rövardotter. Alternative title: Ronja Robbersdaughter. Also shown as an extended TV series. Olle Hellbom began directing the film but died and was replaced by Danielsson. Remade as two TV series, one in Sweden (2024) and an animated one in Japan (2014). The book has also been turned into stage plays and musicals.