Summary
In the picturesque landscape of Solbakken, a sun-kissed hill where Synnöve resides with her parents, a poignant tale of love, deceit, and redemption unfolds. Thorbjörn, a young man from the neighboring Granliden, often gazes longingly at Solbakken, his heart yearning for Synnöve. As their paths converge, the two teenagers fall deeply in love, but their bliss is short-lived. Knud Nordhaug, a rival suitor, fueled by jealousy and a desire to claim Synnöve's hand, orchestrates a web of lies, convincing her parents that Thorbjörn is the aggressor. As the narrative progresses, the star-crossed lovers are torn apart, only to be reunited at Midsummer Eve, where they rekindle their passion and vow to overcome the obstacles that stand in their way. However, fate has other plans, and a brutal confrontation between Thorbjörn and Knud leaves the former hovering between life and death. Ultimately, Thorbjörn emerges, transformed by his ordeal, with a newfound sense of purpose and a willingness to forgive.
Synopsis
Synnöve lives with her parents at the farm Solbakken on a sunny hill. Thorbjörn, who lives at Granliden in the shadow of a big mountain, often looks wistfully up to Solbakken. As teenagers they meet and fall in love. Another boy, Knud Nordhaug, is also yearning for Synnöve. Together with some companions he bullies Thorbjörn, who knocks them down. When Knud meets Synnöve's father, he gets him to believe that it is Thorbjörn who is the bully. Synnöve's parents forbid her to meet Thorbjörn henceforth. Some years later Knud proposes to Synnöve, but is turned down. At Midsummer Eve Thorbjörn and Synnöve meet secretly. They renew their love-vows, and Thorbjörn promises to develop a better reputation in the village. When Thorbjörn is driving a loaded cart to the town, the wagon breaks down. As the Nordhaug farm is nearby, he goes there to lend a new wagon. Knud sees Thorbjörn and starts a fight. When Thorbjörn turns away, Knud stabs a knife in his back. For many weeks Thorbjörn hovers between life and death. Ultimately he rises from the bed, but as a changed man, open for reconciliation.
