The Man on the Balcony (film)


The Man on the Balcony is a 1993 Swedish-German crime thriller film, based on the 1967 book The Man on the Balcony written by Maj Sjöwall and Per Wahlöö. This is the fourth film which stars Gösta Ekman as Martin Beck and Rolf Lassgård as Gunvald Larsson.
"Mannen på balkongen" has been considered as the best ever Martin Beck film starring Gösta Ekman, and Gösta Ekman became highly popular and regarded for his brilliant portrayal of Martin Beck in this picture by his fans. His fine performance also attracted several new fans to his side, and "The Man on the Balcony" was one of the most successful films in Sweden in the year of 1993.

Plot

A mad serial killer terrorizes Stockholm in the hot summer of 1993, by abducting, raping and strangling young school girls to death in the green parks of the inner town. When the first girl is found dead in the Vanadislunden Park, Martin Beck and his team receives the case on their desk and realizes that this will become one of their most emotional investigations ever, especially for Beck's younger colleague Lennart Kollberg who himself has a little daughter. An old lady was robbed by an unknown robber in the park at the same time as the murder was committed, which means that Martin Beck must catch the robber first, as he is the only key witness.

Cast

At the 29th Guldbagge Awards the film won the award for Best Screenplay. It was also nominated for Best Film, Best Director and Best Cinematography.