The melodrama Sylvi (1913), directed by Teuvo Puro, is the first Finnish full-length feature film. It is also the first film adaptation of Minna Canth’s play of the same name (second 1944). Orpo Sylvi (Aili Rosvall) is married to his older guardian Aksel Vahli (Teuvo Puro), but passionately loves his childhood friend Viktor Hoving (Teppo Raikas). A difficult situation drives Sylv to desperate deeds. A approximately 27-minute version of the film’s surviving scenes, with the most explanatory text, has been reconstructed.
