Here are two films with themes of man vs. nature. One is a period drama set in Denmark, while the second is a period sports biopic directed by George Clooney.

The Promised Land (Denmark - Amazon Prime on Demand) - Starring the always intriguing Mads Mikkelsen, this period drama is a historical lesson about commitment, resolution, fortitude, and the curious relationship between man and the land. In 18th century Denmark, a retired military captain, Ludwig Kahlen, requests the government that he be allowed to til the heath on the Jutland - hoping to set up a colony in an area that’s long been considered untamable and inhospitable to Man. It’s granted as an inside joke by the Ministry, as they’re aware that the King has always been keen on cultivating this area, but no one has taken a serious interest as it’s considered a hopeless cause. So, of course, the premise is now set up for man vs. nature, but there’s more.

The local excuse for royalty, the landowning gentry in the person of a van Schinkel, is a vain, sadistic, spoiled buffoon - the most dangerous kind, as he does have the title and the money. He makes it a point to become Kahlen’s nemesis, wanting to own all the land that Kahlen has been granted the rights to by the King, on the presumption that he wants it and no one dares oppose him. Issues such as who will help Kahlen work the land, what domestic arrangements can be made, and how Romani gypsies are treated in the area - these all become part of the narrative that’s more than ready to go melodramatic to heighten the narrative impact of what unfolds. The tyranny of landowners, the arc that Kahlen goes through, and how persistence can be rewarded make for an engrossing historical film.

The Boys in the Boat (USA - Amazon Prime on Demand) - George Clooney directs this film, and it’s executed in Old School style, highlighting a sports event from the 1930s and based on a best-selling non-fiction book. There’s not much to be surprised by in terms of execution and direction, but at the same time, you can’t fault the film for its earnestness and commitment to making us ‘feel the book.’ For those unfamiliar with the book, it recounts the events and facts that led to a second string Varsity rowing team of scholars and less privileged kids representing the United States at the 1936 Summer Olympics hosted by Germany and then Chancellor Adolf Hitler. For those who know their sports history, this would be the same Olympic games where Jesse Owen won his Olympic gold in track and embarrassed his hosts by winning. 

Clooney puts together an interesting cast of relative unknowns to keep the story the focus and not be distracted by some big Hollywood star playing one of the ensemble roles. As mentioned, the filmmaking has an old-school quality, and it lends itself to the story and helps make things work. There are romantic interests for our main character. Still, by and large, this is a film about athletes, accomplishments, waving the American flag, and remembering a time when honor and resolution did mean something. There’s the constant reminder of how these rowers surprised the world and their coach and how the day the media turned the boys into representatives of an American working class rising above the Depression and inspiring their fellow Americans to rise above the situation. It’s Clooney putting his stamp on an inspirational storyline.