Film and TV
YouTube Top 10: Sweded Films
Next up in YouTube Top 10, Dan Grabiner relives Michel Gondry’s Be Kind Rewind and takes a look at the best low-slash-no budget remakes on YouTube. Warning: Do not watch the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory while drinking something. You will spray it over your screen.
In the wake of Michel Gondry’s screwball comedy Be Kind Rewind, the “sweding” of classic movies has become a joyous and widespread internet phenomenon.
When audiences saw Jerry (Jack Black) and Mike (Mos Def) shooting their own, low-budget versions of Hollywood hits in an attempt to reverse the fortunes of their obsolete video store, it became clear that with enough enthusiasm, some cunning direction and a few cringe-worthy performances, so-called “swedes” could give the originals a run for their money.
Here is our top ten: the cheapest, shoddiest and most exquisite swedes on YouTube.
10. Thelma and Louise
It’s got afro wigs, cross-dressing, a diligently constructed cardboard car and that magical quotation: “Did you see his butt?” Rarely has such an abysmal soundtrack done so much to enhance a film.
9. The Never Ending Story
If you remember this epic children’s adventure film from the early 80s, this swede is sure to be quite the tear-jerker. The freakishly accurate portrayal of the Empress (“Bastion! Call my name!”) is an especially poignant moment and the contribution from various pets should also be applauded. For the die-hard fans, an extended, six-minute version is currently doing the rounds.
8. The Lord of the Rings trilogy
At number 8 we have a frightfully British take on Peter Jackson’s magnum opus. His nine-hour marathon trilogy is reduced to a two-minute, quick-fire romp through Middle-earth, all delivered with a stiff upper lip that would make Bertie Wooster proud. Best moment? The “Horn of Gondor” at 0:22.
7. Edward Scissorhands
A breathtakingly accurate Edward has ensured this swede’s success on YouTube. The physical likeness to Depp’s tender portrayal is such that our first glance of him is bizarrely heartbreaking. This is quite an achievement given that he shares the scene with the fat bloke from the Full Monty who repeatedly screeches “THOSE ARE YOUR HANDS?” while wearing a skin-tight, purple dress.
6. Ghostbusters
Released as promotional material for the movie, this short version of the Ghostbusters swede comes directly from the Be Kind Rewind team. Jack Black is in his element hunting ghosts and finding “ectoplazicmazmic residue”. The genre-defining clip.
5. Forrest Gump (in one minute)
Consisting of one non-stop shot, this minute-long retelling of the Forest Gump story bucks the trend somewhat in the world of sweding. With almost 2 million views this is the most popular clip on the list and judging by the comments, this popularity mainly comes from the “I got no legs!” line. Lots of hidden delights to be had on the second viewing.
4. The Shining
The great thing about this remake of the Kubrick classic is that it actually has Jack Nicholson in the starring role. It also comes replete with scary-weirdo-kid-on-tricycle and unconvincing-knife-waving-and-screaming-in-shower scenes. What more could you want?
3. Jurassic Park
This rapid-fire smorgasbord of Jurassic Park’s best bits is a masterclass in suspenseful filmmaking. Aided by a superbly inaccurate Jeff Goldblum impression and Father Chistmas’ cameo as Richard Attenborough, the poor rendition of John Williams’ theme music was bound to make this clip a hit.
2. Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
By far the funniest swede around, Josh Elliott’s depiction of Willy Wonka has gained full-blown cult status. The detail on the props (from the Wonka bars to the Oompa-Loompa costume) is something very special indeed. The chocolate room also deserves a mention as a triumph of the psychedelic-confectionary film sub-genre. Best bit? The audible direction to “just go under a moment” in the chocolate river scene.
1. The Dark Knight
So far we have listed swedes of an exceptional calibre, but this version of the Dark Knight stands head and shoulders above the rest. An especially dedicated performance from the Joker combined with some sharp editing makes for a clip that gets better and better as it goes on.
“How was the batmobile done?” you ask. Simple, “we converted a trolley into the base with a large dustbin at either end complete with cardboard guns and two mag lights”. Beautiful.
