Editing Pelle the Conqueror (section)

===Development===
[[File:Bille August.jpg|thumb|200px|[[Bille August]] co-adapted and directed ''Pelle the Conqueror'' out of an ambition to make an [[epic film]].]]
The film, based on the 1910 novel of the [[Pelle the Conqueror (novel)|same name]] by [[Martin Andersen Nexø]], was a [[Co-production (filmmaking)|co-production]] by Danish and Swedish companies. As the story had both Danish and Swedish elements, cooperation between producers in both countries had practical benefit.{{sfn|Hjort|2010|p=16}}

The screenplay, by director [[Bille August]], [[Per Olov Enquist]], [[Max Lundgren]], and [[Bjarne Reuter]], adapted only the first ''Boyhood'' part of Nexø's four-volume work.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.avclub.com/article/ipelle-the-conquerori-conquered-at-cannesand-at-th-101616 |title=Pelle The Conqueror conquered at Cannes—and at the Oscars and Golden Globes |last=Dowd |first=A.A. |date=15 August 2013 |access-date=5 September 2016 |work=[[The A.V. Club]] |archive-date=16 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160916235454/http://www.avclub.com/article/ipelle-the-conquerori-conquered-at-cannesand-at-th-101616 |url-status=live}}</ref> August decided to film the novel, considered essential reading in Denmark, and he wanted to make an [[epic film]].<ref name="Russell" />

For the title role, [[Pelle Hvenegaard]], who was 11, was cast after August and the crew auditioned 3,000 children. August decided on Hvenegaard, who he said demonstrated concentration, patience and self-control.<ref name="Russell" /> The boy was coincidentally named after the character in Nexø's book, as are many boys in Denmark, given the decades-long popularity of the book.<ref name="Ebert">{{Cite web |url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/pelle-the-conqueror-1989 |title=Pelle the Conqueror |last=Ebert |first=Roger |date=3 March 1989 |access-date=5 September 2016 |work=Rogerebert.com |archive-date=3 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200603072212/https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/pelle-the-conqueror-1989 |url-status=live}}</ref>