Movie
The Harvest Month
Released: October 5, 1956 (1956)
Runtime: 94 minutes
Genres: Drama
The title of the Finnish film Elokuu translates to August. Directed by Matti Kassila, one of Finland's premiere filmmakers, Elokuu was adapted from a novel by Nobel prize winning finnish author F.E. Sillanpää. Simply put, the story concerns the decline and fall of a once-proud family, thanks to the alcoholism of its paterfamilias. Toivo Makela delivers a powerfully effective performance as the inebriated protagonist, avoiding the usual "drunken" cliches. The overlong running time, coupled with the downbeat nature of the subject, limited the film's worldwide appeal.
Main Cast (Top 10 billed, oldest first)
- Senni Nieminen as Hanna Nieminen
Age at release: 51
- Emma Väänänen as Saima Sundvall
Age at release: 48
- Toivo Mäkelä as Viktor Sundvall
Age at release: 47
- Rauni Luoma as Maija Länsilehto
Age at release: 44
- Topi Kankainen as Alpertti
Age at release: 44
- Sylvi Salonen as Actress
Age at release: 36
- Heikki Savolainen as Mauno Viljanen
Age at release: 34
- Rauni Ikäheimo as Iita
Age at release: 32
- Aino-Maija Tikkanen as Tyyne Sundvall
Age at release: 28
- Tauno Kajander as Taave
Age at release: 23
Show more cast
- Pentti Irjala as Mies saunalla
Age at release: 45
- Seppo Sariola as Väinö Länsilehto (uncredited)
Age at release: 43
- Severi Seppänen as Lääkäri
Age at release: 39
- Keijo Lindroos as Mies tansseissa
Age at release: 36
- Olavi Ahonen as Mies saunalla
Age at release: 33
- Tommi Rinne as Juhlija (uncredited)
Age at release: 31
- Mauri Jaakkola as Ylioppilaskaveri
Age at release: 29
- Leo Jokela as Juhlija (uncredited)
Age at release: 29
- Leo Lastumäki as Saarinen (uncredited)
Age at release: 27
- Kaija Siikala as Nuoruudenrakastettu
Age at release: 24
- Kari Åkerberg as Viljo Sundvall (uncredited)
Age at release: 12