Mio in the Land of Faraway

I love this movie as it is one of my childhood favorites. It's a wonderful tale and should be more honored.


So Bizarre, It's An Undeniable Classic   May 2, 2006
Andrew Beaton (Venice, CA)
7 out of 7 found this review helpful

This movie (on VHS) was given to me many years ago as a gift. Although I had never even heard of this film at the time, it only took one viewing for it to become a favorite of mine. These days, it seems you can score a DVD of "The Land of Faraway" for a cool hundred bones. And I assure you, it is worth every penny.

First off, there's the drab opening scenes where poor orphan Bosse gets picked on by everyone. You'll feel sorry for him, but that's because you don't realize he has a wondrous destiny in store. All of a sudden, a giant floating head materializes out of nowhere and, ordering Bosse to hang onto his beard, spirits him away to the Land of Faraway! Needless to say, this is a bizarre montage that will astound you.

The floating head delivers him to the palace, where he meets his father (the King, natch) and his best friend Jum-Jum. (How you can have a best friend you've never met is a bit bewildering to me, but hey, it's Christian Bale, and he could sell a blind man a "pap", let alone a friendless loser on the prospect of a new homie.) Bosse gets a new name, "Mio", and a flying horse, "Miramis", and the audience begins to wonder what the heck is going on here.

Enter the evil villain, KATO! Every time his name is spoken, a fierce and scary wind blows from somewhere offscreen. The effect is so comical, I guarantee you will find yourself repeatedly faux-intoning "KA-TO!!" after watching the film. (By the way, it rhymes with "gato", not NATO.) Christopher Lee is awesome in this role, particularly when he gets to deliver lines like "This is the most dangerous sword I've had in my castle...it cannot kill the young and innocent!" Obviously, the new Prince of Faraway needs to take this mug down. So Mio and Jum-Jum set out on an adventure to take down KATO and restore peace to the Land of Faraway.

Cue the ABBA-penned theme!

If you're looking for a wondrous fantasy film that will thrill child and grownup alike, you might fare better with Harry Potter, etc. But if you're in the mood for a freaky Swedish flick that looks like it was made under the heavy influence of mushrooms, with a really scary wind that blows every time someone says "KATO", this movie is for you!


Christian Bale goes Astrid lindgren   August 6, 2005
Marsian (Sweden)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful

This is a magical and very loved english talking-movie played out in sweden but with many english actors and some swedish.

Astrid Lindgren - author of the book
Christopher Lee - actor who plays Saruman in (lord of the rings)
Christian Bale - Actor who played Jim in (Empire of the sun)

people who doesn't speak swedish dont know how many great child movies we have (written by Astrid Lindgren) that are extremly wonderful and magical.
other favorits are:
Ronja (Ronia, the Robber's Daughter)
Broderna lejonhjarta (The Brothers Lionheart)
And many others... for people who enjoys foreign cool movies.


Mio In the Land of Far away   October 15, 2002
5 out of 6 found this review helpful

I loved this movie as a child. We taped it off the tv, and I cant find that old tape anymore. Im going to order the dvd. I work with school age children and Im sure they will love this as much as I did as a child. Obviously it isnt as technically advanced as Harry potter, or the new childrens movies..but that doesnt mean its a bad movie. Its exciting! Kids of all ages will like this movie!


Long Ago and Faraway   August 19, 2008
Amaranth (Northern California)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

"The Land of Faraway" is a mindblowing children's movie. It has some creepy elements, especially with the leading heartless villain Katto (Christopher Lee). Of course, it's Scandinavian, with its dark Norse element. In it, a young boy named Bosse finds a magical golden apple. In a surrealistic montage, he rides a giant disembodied head's beard. There,he learns his real name is Mio, and that his father is a King (a very fey Timothy Bottoms) The mystery of his maternity remains unsolved, even in the Land of Faraway. He's given a magical horse, Miramis. Then he finds a new friend, Jum-Jum (a very young Christian Bale)

Everything seems pleasant... until children start vanishing. Together, Mio and Jum-Jum go on their quest to defeat the evil Dark Knight Katto. There's plenty of suspense and adventure, which may be a bit much for younger kids. The fight scenes aren't exactly kid-friendly. Good triumphs in the end,along with the music of an ABBA-like group.

"Land of Faraway" is a fascinating little movie. It's based on a short fantasy by Astrid Lindgren, who's more famous for her lighthearted, humorous Pippi Longstocking. It's psychedelic, creepy, and fantastical. Take a ride to the land of faraway!