Aleksis Kivi and one of his most popular plays of the seven brothers is seen once again.Seitsemän Veljestä (1976) is the direction of Matti Tapio and Kalle Holmberg.Ritva Holmberg wrote the stage adaptation.This was seen on stage in Turku and, lucky for us, it was filmed.The result is some fine acting by some of the finest actors.The gang is led by Esko Salminen, who plays Juhani.This actor, who can do anything from Shakespeare tragedies to light comedy, turns 70 years today.I just borrowed the man's autobiography yesterday so I find out more of this fascinating man and great actor.Congratulations, Esko Kullervo Salminen.Vesa-Matti Loiri, who also has done a lot during his career, plays Tuomas.Another great comedian/actor, Heikki Kinnunen, plays Aapo.Heikki Alho portrays Simeoni.Arno Virtanen is Timo.Ilari Paatso plays Lauri.Juha Muje plays the role of Eero.Also Rose-Marie Precht, Esko's first wife, is seen there.Of course, in this play, Aleksis Kivi's text speaks for itself.But its the actors that make the text live, in a way.And they really do now.So bravo, all you great performers!
