Erik Balling

Person

Erik Balling

Writing November 29, 1924

Nyborg, Danmark

Erik Balling was one of the most beloved Danish filmmaker in the 20th century. Balling was a director, a producer and a writer. Erik Balling was mostly famous for creating such TV…

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Erik Balling was one of the most beloved Danish filmmaker in the 20th century. Balling was a director, a producer and a writer. Erik Balling was mostly famous for creating such TV epics as "Matador" and "Huset På Christianshavn" and the film-series of "Olsen banden". Erik Balling was born the 19th of November 1925 in the Danish city of Nyborg, as a son of a priest. In 1946 Balling was hired as an assistant at "Nordisk Film Kompagni" - the world's oldest film production company. His talent was soon recognised, and Balling soon had the opportunity to work as a director. His debut as a director came in 1952, with the film: "Vi arme syndere". Balling soon gained a reputation of having good technical skills, and after that film his talent was widely recognised. In 1957 he became head of "Nordisk Film" - the youngest one ever. Balling was mostly famous for his comedies. In his early days he directed Poeten og Lillemor (1959) and Sommer i Tyrol (1964), which were very popular at the time. In the middle of the 1960s Balling tried to chance his style when it came to comedies. At this time the popular James Bond films circled the globe, Balling's next film was inspired by those films, teaming up with Henning Bahs to make the Jamed Bond spoof "Slå Først Frede" (1965), which became very popular in Denmark - so popular it spawned a sequel Slap af, Frede! (1966). This co-work with Henning Bahs was so fruitful that they made many more movies together. This co-work eventually led to film-series of "Olsen banden", which started with Olsen-banden (1968) - and eventually they made a total of 14 "Olsen banden" film, plus a TV series and a movie version where the characters in "Olsen banden" are children. "Olsen banden" was about a small band of small time criminals, trying to become millionaires. "Olsen banden" were not only very popular in Denmark, but also in East-Germany, Poland, Sweden and Norway - especially in Norway and Sweden, who eventually made their own national versions of "Olsen banden", namely the Norwegian "Olsen banden" and the Swedish "Jönssonligan" - Henning Bahs and Erik Balling also helped the Norwegians and the Swedes to write those. In that late 60s and early 70s Balling made the popular Danish TV series "Huset På Christianshavn", which also became the basis for a movie: "Ballade på Christianshavn (1971)". In 1970 Balling produced the very popular Danish TV epic "Matador". More than fifty percent of Denmark's population watched "Matador" in those days. "Matador" was about life in a smaller city in Denmark in the 30s and 40s. Balling was always known for his warm style, when he portrayed humans. Throughout his life, he received many prizes. He was 80 years old when he died the 19th of November 2005.

Filmography

Movies and shows, newest first

  1. 2005
  2. 1998
    The Olsen Gang's Last Trick

    Movie Erik Balling (uncredited)

  3. 1997
    Strisser på Samsø

    TV show Writer

  4. 1988
    Murder in Paradise

    Movie Writer

  5. 1988
  6. 1986
    Murder in the Dark

    Movie Writer

  7. 1984
    Anthonsen

    TV show Director

  8. 1984
    The Jönsson Gang Gets Gold Fever

    Movie Original Story

  9. 1984
    In the Middle of the Night

    Movie Director

  10. 1982
  11. 1982
    The Olsen Gang's Very Last Coup

    Movie Original Film Writer

  12. 1981
    The Olsen Gang Long Gone

    Movie Director

  13. 1981
    Beware of the Jönsson Gang

    Movie Characters

  14. 1981
    The Olsen Gang Jumps the Fence

    Movie Director

  15. 1979
  16. 1978
    Matador

    TV show Director

More credits
  1. 1978
    The Olsen Gang Goes to War

    Movie Director

  2. 1978
  3. 1978
  4. 1977
  5. 1977
    The Olsen Gang Outta Sight

    Movie Director

  6. 1976
  7. 1976
    The Moelleby affair

    Movie Writer

  8. 1976
    The Olsen Gang Sees Red

    Movie Director

  9. 1976
    Kassen stemmer

    Movie Writer

  10. 1976
  11. 1975
    The Olsen Gang on the Track

    Movie Director

  12. 1975
  13. 1974
  14. 1974
  15. 1973
  16. 1973
    The Olsen Gang Runs Amok

    Movie Director

  17. 1972
    The Olsen Gang's Big Score

    Movie Director

  18. 1972
  19. 1971
    The Olsen Gang in Jutland

    Movie Director

  20. 1971
    Our Home Is Our Castle

    Movie Director

  21. 1971
    One of Those Things

    Movie Director

  22. 1970
    Revolution My A..

    Movie Director

  23. 1970
  24. 1970
    The House at Christianshavn

    TV show Director