Under the Glacier

Our hero is Umbi (an acronym for emissary of the bishop), sent by him to undertake an important investigation at Snæfell-glacier. In particular he is to look into the conduct and behavior of Jón Prímus, the old pastor at Snæfell. Fantastic rumors are rife: amongst other things it is said that a corpse is lodged in the glacier! Armed with his tape recorder and notebook, Umbi embarks upon his mission. He tries to question the weird locals, a weird lot, but gets evasive answers. Slowly he is dragged into a quagmire of strange happenings and his efforts to understand only make him confused. If at the beginning he is a chipper, a mere device, by the end of the story he is inextricably involved, a committed participant in the bizarre events.

Crew

Directed by

Guðný Halldórsdóttir
Screenplay

Gerald Wilson
Director of Photography

W. P. Hassenstein, Guðný Halldórsdóttir
Editor

Kristín Pálsdóttir
Music Composer

Gunnar Reynir Sveinsson
Producer

Halldór Þorgeirsson, Ralph Christians
Assistant Director

Kristín Pálsdóttir
Assistant Editor

Ingibjörg Briem
Based on a Story by

Halldór Laxness
Boom Operator

Michael John, Kristín Pálsdóttir, Ingibjörg Briem
Camera Assistant

Michael Haertel, Werner Schäfer, Klaus Schäfer, Sigurður Steinarsson, Eggert Einarsson
Color Grader

Maj-Britt Henriksen
Costume Design

Hanna Laufey Elísdóttir
Hair Stylist

Guðrún Þorvarðardóttir
Make-Up

Guðrún Þorvarðardóttir
Production Designer

Karl Júlíusson
Production Manager

Halldór Þorgeirsson, Ralph Christians, Úlfur Hróbjartsson, Elín Þóra Friðfinnsdóttir
Props

Einar Unnsteinsson, Þormóður Þormóðsson
Re-recording Mixer

Tony Anscombe
Scenic Artist

Michael Ehlers
Script Supervisor

Elín Þóra Friðfinnsdóttir
Singer

Ragnhildur Gísladóttir
Sound Editor

Martien Coucke
Sound Engineer

Martien Coucke

About the film

Type

Feature Film
National Premiere Date

February 25, 1989
Genre

Drama, Drama
Length

91 min.
Language

Icelandic
Original Title

Kristnihald undir jökli
International Title

Under the Glacier
Production Year

1989
Production Countries

Iceland
IMDB

Under the Glacier
Icelandic Film Centre Grant

Yes
Based on a

Novel
Production Format

35mm
Aspect Ratio

1.66:1
Color

Yes
Sound

Dolby Stereo SR
Screening format and subtitles

35mm film with English sub. - DCP with English sub.