Biography
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.
Wrote 56
1990s
- 1998
The Olsen Gang's Last Trick
Characters, Script Consultant
- 1997
Strisser på Samsø
Writer
1980s
- 1988
Murder in Paradise
Writer
- 1986
Murder in the Dark
Writer
- 1984
Anthonsen
Idea
In the Middle of the Night
Writer
- 1982
The Olsen Gang's Very Last Coup
Original Film Writer
- 1981
1970s
- 1979
- 1978
The Olsen Gang Goes to War
Screenplay
The Olsen Gang and Data-Harry Blows Up The World Bank
Writer
- 1977
The Olsen Gang and Dynamite-Harry On The Trail
Writer
- 1976
The Moelleby affair
Writer
The Olsen Gang For Full Music
Writer
Kassen stemmer
Writer
Superfos Glasuld – et isoleret tilfælde
Writer
- 1975
The Last Exploits of the Olsen Gang
Writer
- 1974
The Olsen Gang meets The King and the Jackal
Writer
- 1973
The Olsen Gang and Dynamite-Harry Goes Wild
Writer
- 1972
The Olsen Gang Takes the Gold
Writer
- 1971
Our Home Is Our Castle
Writer
One of Those Things
Writer
- 1970
Revolution My A..
Writer
The Olsen Gang and Dynamite-Harry
Writer
1960s
- 1969
The Olsen Gang
Screenplay
- 1968
Det var en lørdag aften
Writer
- 1967
Martha
Writer
- 1966
Relax Freddy
Writer
- 1965
Strike First Freddy
Writer
Landmandsliv
Writer
- 1964
Summer in Tyrol
Writer
Death Comes at High Noon
Writer
- 1963
Hvis lille pige er du?
Writer
- 1961
Cirkus Buster
Writer
Poeten og Lillemor i forårshumør
Writer
- 1960
The Poet and Lillemor and Lotte
Writer
Faith, Hope and Witchcraft
Writer
1950s
- 1959
The Poet and the Little Mother
Writer
- 1958
6-Day Race
Screenplay
- 1956
Kispus
Writer
- 1955
På tro og love
Writer
- 1953
Adam and Eve
Writer
Directed 45
1980s
- 1984
Anthonsen
Director
In the Middle of the Night
Director
- 1981
1970s
- 1979
- 1978
The Olsen Gang Goes to War
Director
- 1977
- 1976
Superfos Glasuld – et isoleret tilfælde
Director
- 1975
- 1974
- 1973
- 1972
- 1971
Our Home Is Our Castle
Director
One of Those Things
Director
- 1970
Revolution My A..
Director
1960s
- 1969
- 1968
Det var en lørdag aften
Director
- 1967
Martha
Director
Jeg er sgu min egen
Director
- 1966
Relax Freddy
Director
- 1965
Strike First Freddy
Director
Landmandsliv
Director
Halløj i himmelsengen
Director
- 1964
Summer in Tyrol
Director
Death Comes at High Noon
Director
- 1963
Hvis lille pige er du?
Director
- 1962
The Girl Gogo
Director
Den kære familie
Director
- 1961
Cirkus Buster
Director
Poeten og Lillemor i forårshumør
Director
- 1960
The Poet and Lillemor and Lotte
Director
Faith, Hope and Witchcraft
Director
1950s
- 1959
The Poet and the Little Mother
Director
- 1956
Qivitoq
Director
Kispus
Director
- 1954
Kongeligt besøg
Director
- 1953
Adam and Eve
Director
Vi som går køkkenvejen
Director
- 1952
Us Petty Sinners
Director
1940s
- 1949
For freedom and justice
Assistant Director
Produced 7
1990s
- 1998
The Olsen Gang's Last Trick
Associate Producer
1970s
- 1971
One of Those Things
Producer
- 1970
1960s
- 1960
Forelsket i København
Producer
1950s
- 1958
6-Day Race
Producer
- 1956
Kispus
Producer
- 1955
På tro og love
Producer
Created 3
1980s
- 1984
Anthonsen
Creator
1970s
- 1978
- 1970
Acted in 2
2000s
- 2005
Skide godt, Balling!
Movie
1990s
- 1998
The Olsen Gang's Last Trick
Erik Balling (uncredited)
Other crew 1
1970s
- 1970