The Polar Bear King

The Polar Bear King

Year: 1991

Runtime: 88 mins

Language: Norwegian

Director: Ola Solum

FamilyFantasyAdventure

When his father is slain, Prince Valemon inherits the kingdom, but a spiteful witch curses him, transforming him into a polar bear in her quest to claim him as queen. Amidst enchantments and danger, the prince must confront magic, reclaim his humanity, and restore his realm.

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Timeline & Setting – The Polar Bear King (1991)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Polar Bear King (1991). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

The story unfolds in a timeless, fairy-tale setting, not anchored to a specific historical period.

Location

Winterland, Summerland, Witch's Kingdom

Winterland and Summerland are the two primary realms in the tale: Winterland is a frostbound kingdom in the far north ruled by a wise king, while Summerland is his southern counterpart where the king is cursed to live as a polar bear by day. The journey between these realms and the Witch's Kingdom reveals a world of magic, loyalty, and peril. The Witch's Kingdom sits beyond the icy borders, ruled by a powerful witch queen who attempts to seize power through enchantments.

❄️ Winterland 🌼 Summerland 🪄 Witch's Kingdom

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:53

Main Characters – The Polar Bear King (1991)

Meet the key characters of The Polar Bear King (1991), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Princess (Maria Bonnevie)

The youngest princess, kind-hearted and uncommonly brave. She has the gift of speaking with animals and longs for a life filled with flowers. She travels from Winterland to Summerland with the cursed king, disguising her love as she fights to free him from the witch's clutches.

❄️ Protagonist 🐾 Animal communicator 💖 Compassionate

King Valemon (Tobias Hoesl)

A king of Summerland who is cursed by a witch to become a polar bear by day, with seven years to find true love or be bound to the witch. He reveals human warmth beneath the beast and remains hopeful of reclaiming his throne and life. His journey is defined by restraint, patience, and a deep longing for love.

🐻 Beast ❤️ Royalty 🌹 Resilient

Witch (Anna-Lotta Larsson)

A powerful witch queen who seeks to rule the world by harnessing the curse and manipulating lovers. She is cunning, calculating, and persistent in her attempts to separate Valemon from the princess. Her domain is a place of danger and magical peril.

🪄 Antagonist 🗡️ Manipulative ⚡ Dark magic

Narrator (Espen Skjønberg)

The voice guiding the story, providing fairytale narration and context. The narrator frames events, keeping track of magical elements and the moral arc of the tale.

🎙️ Narration 🧭 Guiding

King of the Winterland (Jack Fjeldstad)

Ruler of Winterland and father of three princesses. A wise and protective sovereign whose counsel and love set into motion the events that lead to the eventual reunion of family.

👑 Royalty 🧊 Leadership

King Valemon's Mother (Monica Nordquist)

A powerful, magical mother figure who aids the princess and protects her grandson. She leverages her knowledge of magic to thwart the witch's influence and assist in the rescue.

👵 Matriarch 🪄 Protector

Oldest Princess (Marika Enstad)

The eldest sister who often lacks depth and insight, contrasting with the youngest's kindness. Her presence helps highlight the different paths of the sisters and the moral choices they face.

👑 Sister 🧭 Complexity

Middle Princess (Kristin Mack)

The middle sister who, like her siblings, becomes part of the courtly dynamic and contributes to the family’s arc through interaction with the enchantments and family tensions.

👑 Sister 🧩 Role

Little Princess (Julie Frilseth Langseth)

One of the queen mother's three children who grants a magical gift to the princess, enabling airborne creativity and sudden wonders with scissors that create things out of thin air.

👶 Princess 🪄 Gift-giver

Little Princess (Ruth Gury Tessand)

One of the queen mother's three children who gifts boots that climb walls, enabling the princess to traverse dangerous terrain during her quest.

👶 Princess 🪜 Climbing

Little Princess (Mariann Gury Tessand)

One of the queen mother's three children who lends a magic rug that, when clapped, makes food appear, helping sustain the journey and maintain hope.

👶 Princess 🧣 Comfort

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:53

Major Themes – The Polar Bear King (1991)

Explore the central themes of The Polar Bear King (1991), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💖 Love and Destiny

Love is the force that drives the central bond between the princess and the cursed king. The princess's compassion reveals the humanity hidden within the polar bear form, turning a magical curse into a path to redemption. Their relationship is tested by the witch's machinations and the risks of separation, yet true affection endures. The narrative frames love as a redemptive power capable of crossing magical boundaries.

🛡️ Courage

Courage propels the heroine to venture into hostile realms and disguise herself to rescue her husband. She confronts danger with ingenuity, aided by magical gifts and steadfast determination. The king's own courage shines through as he endures exile and captivity while hopeful for reunion. Bravery is shown not only in battles but in choosing to pursue a difficult, compassionate path.

🪄 Magic and Transformation

Magic animates the world, from talking animals to enchanted artifacts shared by the queen mother’s children. The witch's spells create obstacles and temptation, while protective charms from magical relatives aid the quest. The gifts—scissors, boots, and a clapping rug—become tools that enable transformation and survival. The tale emphasizes how magical means can both threaten and ultimately save a family.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:53

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The Polar Bear King Summary

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The Polar Bear King Summary

The Polar Bear King Timeline

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The Polar Bear King Timeline

More About The Polar Bear King

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