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Een pige og 39 sømænd

Name: Een pige og 39 sømænd
Director: Annelise Reenberg
Released: 1965
Duration: 115 min

Representation Score

3.7/10

Limited

1965

Director

Annelise Reenberg

Runtime

115 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

The film serves as a transitional piece of mid-century Danish cinema. It achieves its impact by disrupting professional gender hierarchies, placing a woman in a traditionally male-dominated maritime role. This provides a meaningful challenge to patriarchal norms for its time. However, the work remains firmly rooted in the social limitations of 1965. It lacks racial diversity and adheres to strict straight-centered romantic structures, reflecting the era's cultural homogeneity. Ultimately, the film's progressive intent is found in its portrayal of women's ability to drive the story rather than in broader systemic or characters who reflect more than one aspect of diversity.

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Category Breakdown

Does Een pige og 39 sømænd have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film follows the straight-centered standards of 1965, showing no evidence of non-straight relationships or same-sex intimacy. The plot centers on a male ensemble pursuing a romantic relationship with the female lead.

How does Een pige og 39 sømænd portray gender?

Good

The story challenges maritime hierarchies by placing a female radio operator at the heart of a male-dominated environment. The protagonist's significant role in the story defies the era's gendered expectations of labor and social space.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Een pige og 39 sømænd?

Limited

The narrative focuses on a predominantly homogeneous Danish social group. Despite the voyage reaching Bangkok, there is no indication of a diverse cast or significant blending of different backgrounds.

How does Een pige og 39 sømænd represent religion and culture?

Fair

The film operates within a Western capitalist framework centered on commercial maritime travel. It maintains a festive, secular tone without critiquing Western institutions or religious moralizing.

Does Een pige og 39 sømænd include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no evidence of characters with physical or neurodivergent disabilities being shown with real power or serving as central plot devices.

Present on Screen

Challenges traditional gender roles by placing a female protagonist in a male-dominated maritime profession.
Highlights women's ability to drive the story within a rigid, patriarchal social structure.
Subverts maritime traditions through a lighthearted and accessible comedic approach.

Limited or Absent

Lacks racial and ethnic diversity, focusing primarily on a homogeneous Danish social group.
Adheres to the straight-centered romantic frameworks typical of 1960s cinema.
Does not provide representation for individuals with physical or neurodivergent disabilities.

Official Synopsis

This festive comedy has a theme song that was incredibly popular in its day – but which is missing a verse! The penultimate verse ends as follows: "...there were 39 sailors and one girl, and that's why the censors deleted the last verse." In 1965, it was new and very daring for a girl to go to sea in the merchant navy. But fortunately, Peer Guldbrandsen and director Annelise Reenberg saw that girls also had a future at sea when they wrote the film's screenplay based on Else Boyes' best-selling novel. The moral frown is replaced by a big smile when the pretty radio operator, Else, boards the M/S Warrigal, owned by the magnificent shipowner, Wilhelmine Jacobsen. The trip from Brønshøj to Bangkok – and back – becomes as festive as an archetypal Danish male society can manage when a pretty girl destroys their age-old traditions.

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