The Cinema of Ingmar Bergman

in VHS & Print

Swedish filmmaker Ingmar Bergman was born in 1914, the son of a strict Lutheran pastor. He joined the movie industry in 1941 as a script doctor, and saw his first screenplay, Torment, filmed in 1944. As a writer and director, Bergman created a magnificent body of work dealing with philosophical questions, emotional turmoil and the inner lives of women. Although famous for his bleak vision of a godless world, Bergman has also created stories of hope and even sly comedies. His greatest films combine the sensuality of dreams with the rigor of psychoanalysis. The striking images in these movies are often the work of Bergman's two regular cameramen, Gunnar Fischer and Sven Nykvist. Over the years, Bergman gathered a stock company of actors who reappear throughout his oeuvre, among them Bibi Andersson, Harriet Andersson, Gunnar Bjornstrand, Eva Dahlbeck, Erland Josephson, Max von Sydow & Liv Ullmann. The director suffered a mental breakdown after being arrested for tax fraud in 1976; although the charges were dropped, he exiled himself to Munich. He returned to Sweden to make his last feature, Fanny and Alexander. Bergman claims to have retired from cinema in order to devote himself to writing and stage work.

Ingmar Bergman in VHS

Unless otherwise noted, all films are in Swedish with English subtitles.

Torment. Student Alf Kjellin and girlfriend Mai Zetterling are hounded by sadistic Latin professor Stig Jarrel. Alf Sjoberg filmed Bergman's first screenplay; Ingmar himself directed the last scene, his first time behind the camera. 1944. 100 min. VH1/TORM-0001.

Night Is My Future. Blinded musician Birger Malmsten finds love with his former maid (Mai Zetterling), now a student. This touching drama is also known as Music in Darkness. 1948. 87 min. VH1/NIGH-0012.

Port of Call. Lonely sailor Bengt Eklund tries to open his heart to Nine-Christine Jonsson, a sad young woman haunted by her reform school past. 1948. 100 min. VH1/PORT-0003.

The Devil's Wanton. This drama about a filmmaker (Hasse Ekman), his former professor (Anders Hendrikson), a writer (Birger Malmsten) and his wife (Eva Henning), a prostitute (Doris Svedlund), her pimp (Stig Olin), and his wicked sister (Irma Christensson) is also known as Prison. 1949. 78 min. VH1/DEVI-0004.

Three Strange Loves. Three former ballerinas (Eva Henning, Birgit Tengroth, Mimi Nelson) crave human companionship in a drama also known as Thirst. Look for Bergman as a train passenger. 1949. 84 min. VH1/THRE-0012.

To Joy. A violinist (Stig Olin) looks back on his rocky relationship with his late wife (Maj-Britt Nilsson) and his wretched affair with a decadent married woman (Margit Carlquist). Bergman's mentor, Victor Sjostrom, plays a demanding but compassionate orchestra conductor. Dubbed. 1949. 95 min. VH1/TOJO-0001.

Illicit Interlude (Summer Interlude or Summergame). The mysterious delivery of an old diary prompts a cynical ballerina (Maj-Britt Nilsson) to recall her tragic affair with a university student (Birger Malmsten). 1951. 94 min. VH1/ILLI-0001.

Secrets of Women. Three sisters-in-law (Anita Bjork, Maj-Britt Nilsson, Eva Dahlbeck) share secrets about their marriages. With Karl-Arne Holmsten, Jarl Kulle, Birger Malmsten & Gunnar Bjornstrand. 1952. 108 min. VH1/SECR-0003.

Monika. Teenagers Harriet Andersson (in her first Bergman performance) and Lars Ekborg spend a brief, idyllic summer on a deserted island. Also known as Summer with Monika. 1953. 96 min. VH1/MONI-0001.

Sawdust and Tinsel. While a middle-aged circus owner (Ake Gronberg) dreams of settling down with his wife and children, his young mistress (Harriet Andersson) has an affair with a stage actor (Hasse Ekman). Also known as The Naked Night. 1953. 87 min. VH1/SAWD-0001.

A Lesson in Love. Learning that husband Gunnar Bjornstrand has been unfaithful, Eva Dahlbeck runs off to visit his old rival, Ake Gronberg. 1954. 96 min. VH1/LESS-0002.

Dreams. While the owner of a photo agency (Eva Dahlbeck) pursues one last meeting with her married lover, a young model (Harriet Andersson) encounters an amorous older gentleman (Gunnar Bjornstrand). This tale of thwarted love is also known as Journey into Autumn. 1955. 86 min. VH1/DREA-0002.

Smiles of a Summer Night. This romantic farce inspired Stephen Sondheim's musical, A Little Night Music (VH1/LITT-20). With Ulla Jacobsson, Eva Dahlbeck, Harriet Andersson, Gunnar Bjornstrand, Jarl Kulle, & Bibi Andersson in her first Bergman role. 1955. 108 min. VH1/SMIL-0001.

The Seventh Seal. Max von Sydow, making his Bergman debut, plays a weary knight who returns from the Crusades to play chess with Death (Bengt Ekerot). The brilliant evocation of the medieval world co-stars Gunnar Bjornstrand, Nils Poppe, Bibi Andersson, Gunnel Lindblom, and Anders Ek. 1956. 95 min. VH1/SEVE-0004.

Wild Strawberries. An old professor (Victor Sjostrom) experiences strange dreams and reviews his life during a day-long road trip. Bergman credits the success of this film to the remarkable performance of Sjostrom, the great silent filmmaker and actor. With Ingrid Thulin, Bibi Andersson, Gunnar Bjornstrand, Max von Sydow & Gunnel Lindblom. 1957. 90 min. VH1/WILD-0001.

Brink of Life. Maternity ward roommates Eva Dahlbeck, Ingrid Thulin & Bibi Andersson share their troubles in a moving drama also known as Close to Life. With Erland Josephson, Max von Sydow & Gunnar Sjoberg. 1957. 82 min. VH1/BRIN-0002.

The Magician. Mesmerer Max von Sydow, wife Ingrid Thulin and their troupe of entertainers disrupt the bourgeois household of Gunnar Bjornstrand. This psychological thriller is also known as The Face. 1958. 100 min. VH1/MAGI-0002.

The Virgin Spring. Farmer Max von Sydow exacts brutal revenge on the thieves who raped and murdered his daughter (Birgitta Pettersson). Bergman drew inspiration from the samurai films of Akira Kurosawa for this Academy Award-winning retelling of a 14th century Swedish legend. 1959. 88 min. VH1/VIRG-0001.

The Devil's Eye. Satan (Stig Jarrel) sends Don Juan (Jarl Kulle) to seduce the chaste daughter (Bibi Andersson) of a naive parson (Nils Poppe), but the scoundrel has an unexpected effect on his mortal hosts. 1960. 90 min. VH1/DEVI-0005.

Through a Glass Darkly. A young woman (Harriet Andersson) summering on a secluded island with her family (Gunnar Bjornstrand, Max von Sydow, Lars Passgard) descends into schizophrenia. 1961. 89 min. This Oscar-winner is the first of Bergman's so-called Trilogy of Faith. VH1/THRO-0001.

Winter Light. Parishioner Max von Sydow loses his faith while minister Gunnar Bjornstrand struggles with his own doubts. With Ingrid Thulin & Gunnel Lindblom. The second entry in the Trilogy of Faith is also known as The Communicants. 1963. 80 min. VH1/WINT-0001.

The Silence. A promiscuous woman (Gunnel Lindblom), her son (Jorgen Lindstrom) and her consumptive sister (Ingrid Thulin) arrive at a sinister hotel in an Eastern European city. Hakan Jahnberg & Birger Malmsten co-star in this dream-like tale, the last of the Trilogy of Faith. 1963. 95 min. VH1/SILE-0001.

Persona. When a talkative nurse comes to care for a mute actress, their personalities begin to merge. This classic of experimental cinema stars Bibi Andersson and Liv Ullmann in her first Bergman portrayal. 1966. 84 min. VH1/PERS-0001.

Hour of the Wolf. An artist (Max von Sydow) brings his pregnant wife (Liv Ullmann) to a deserted island, where they are both haunted by demons from his past. 1967. 88 min. VH1/HOUR-0002.

Shame. A bickering couple (Liv Ullmann & Max von Sydow), living in isolation on an island, are swept up in the chaos of revolutionary war. This harrowing movie co-stars Gunnar Bjornstrand & Sigge Furst. 1968. 103 min. VH1/SHAM-0001.

The Passion of Anna. Loner Max von Sydow enters into a tense relationship with disturbed widow Liv Ullmann. This chilling psychodrama, also known as A Passion, co-stars Erland Josephson & Bibi Andersson as another troubled couple. 1969. 101 min. VH1/PASS-0005.

The Rite (a.k.a. Riten or The Ritual). Sadistic judge Erik Hell interrogates three actors (Ingrid Thulin, Gunnar Bjornstrand, Anders Ek) accused of performing an obscene variety show. 1969. 75 min. VH1/RITE-0001.

Cries and Whispers. Two embittered sisters (Ingrid Thulin, Liv Ullmann) and a caring servant (Kari Sylwan) attend a dying woman (Harriet Andersson). With Erland Josephson & Anders Ek. Sven Nykvist's color cinematography won an Oscar. 1972. 106 min. VH1/CRIE-0002.

Scenes from a Marriage. Divorce lawyer Liv Ullmann and professor Erland Josephson recount the disintegration of their marriage in this condensation of a 4-hour telefilm. 1973. 168 min. VH1/SCEN-0005.

The Magic Flute. In this colorful filming of the Mozart opera, the Queen of the Night (Birgit Nordin) sends knight Tamino (Josef Kostlinger) to rescue princess Pamina (Irma Urrila) from the sorcerer Sarastro, her father (Ulric Cold). 1974. 135 min. VH1/MAGI-0003.

The Serpent's Egg (Das Schlangenei). In 1920s Berlin, aerialists Liv Ullmann & David Carradine find themselves working in a mysterious clinic where diabolical experiments are taking place. In English. 1976. 119 min. VH1/SERP-0002.

Autumn Sonata. Tensions seethe when concert pianist Ingrid Bergman pays a visit to repressed, resentful daughter Liv Ullmann. With Gunnar Bjornstrand and Erland Josephson. 1978. 92 min. VH1/AUTU-0002.

From the Life of the Marionettes (Aus dem Leben der Marionetten). A successful businessman (Robert Atzorn) dreams of killing his wife (Christine Buchegger), leading to a tragic encounter with a prostitute. In German with English subtitles. 1980. 104 min. VH1/FROM-0004.

Victor Sjostrom. Bergman salutes his mentor, the great Swedish actor and filmmaker, in Gosta Werner's portrait. 1981. 65 min. VH2/VICT-0002. (Sjostrom's films include The Outlaw & His Wife, VH1/OUTL-0001, The Phantom Chariot, VH1/PHAN-0003, and The Wind, VH1/WIND-0001.)

Fanny and Alexander. Bergman's farewell to filmmaking is a 19th century family saga seen through the eyes of two children (Pernilla Allwin & Bertil Guve). With Gunn Walgren, Allan Edwall, Jan Malmsjo, Erland Josephson, Harriet Andersson & Lena Olin. 1982. 197 min. VH1/FANN-0002.

After the Rehearsal. Napping after a rehearsal of Strindberg's A Dream Play, aging director Erland Josephson dreams about Anna, his young leading lady (Lena Olin), and actress Rakel (Ingrid Thulin), his former lover and Anna's mother. 1983. 72 min. VH1/AFTE-0006.

The Making of Fanny and Alexander. Bergman's record of the production is also known as Dokument: Fanny och Alexander. 1986. 110 min. VH2/MAKI-0006.

The Best Intentions. Bille August filmed Bergman's script about the stormy romance between his parents (Samuel Froler & Pernilla August). 1991. 182 min. VH1/BEST-0004.

Sunday's Children. Screenwriter Ingmar Bergman views the disintegration of his parents' marriage through the eyes of Pu, his 8-year-old incarnation. Bergman's son Daniel directs. 1992. 118 min. VH1/SUND-0003.

Private Confessions (Enskilda Samtal). Screenwriter Ingmar Bergman adapted his own novel about the adulterous affair between his mother, Anna Bergman, and Tomas, a younger man. Liv Ullmann directs Pernilla August, Max von Sydow, Samuel Froler, and Thomas Hanzon. 1997. 127 min. VH1/PRIV-0011.

Light Keeps Me Company. Carl-Gustaf Nykvist's portrait of his father, master cinematographer Sven Nykvist, includes reminiscences from Ingmar Bergman, Liv Ullman and Bibi Andersson. 2000. 76 min. VH2/LIGH-0004.

Books By & About Ingmar Bergman

Screenplays by Ingmar Bergman

Autumn Sonata (791.437 B)

Face to Face (paperback collection)

Fanny and Alexander (791.437 B)

A Film Trilogy (Through a Glass Darkly, The Communicants [Winter Light], The Silence (791.437B)

The Fifth Act (791.437 B)

From the Life of the Marionettes (791.4372B)

Persona, and Shame, the Screenplays (791.437 B)

Scenes from a Marriage (791.437 B)

The Serpent's Egg (791.437 B)

The Seventh Seal (791.437B)

Wild Strawberries (791.437 B)

Fiction by Ingmar Bergman

The Best Intentions (FIC Bergman)

Four Stories (The Touch, Cries and Whispers, The Hour of the Wolf, The Passion of Anna) (791.437B)

Private Confessions (FIC Bergman)

Sunday's Children (FIC Berman)

Biography & Criticism

Ingmar Bergman's Images: My Life in Film (791.4302 Bergman)

Ingmar Bergman's The Magic Lantern: An Autobiography (791.4302 Bergman)

Ingmar Bergman, Stig Bjorkman, Torsten Manns & Jonas Sima's Bergman on Bergman: Interviews with Ingmar Bergman (791.4302 Bergman)

Maria Bergom-Larsson's Ingmar Bergman and Society (791.4302 Bergman B)

Melvyn Bragg's The Seventh Seal (Det Sjunde Inseglet) (791.43B)

Herbert I. Cohen's Ingmar Bergman: The Art of Confession (791.4302 Bergman C)

Peter Cowie's Ingmar Bergman: A Critical Biography (791.4302 Bergman C)

Jorn Donner's The Films of Ingmar Bergman: From Torment to All These Women (791.4302 Bergman D)

Philip & Kersti French's Wild Strawberries (791.4372F)

Frank Gado's The Passion of Ingmar Bergman (791.4302 Bergman G)

Stuart M. Kaminsky & Joseph F. Hills' Ingmar Bergman: Essays in Criticism (791.4302 Bergman K)

Robert Emmet Long's Ingmar Bergman: Film and Stage (OV 791.4302 Bergman L)

Lise-Lone Marker & Frederick J. Marker's Ingmar Bergman: Four Decades in the Theater (792.0233 Bergman M)

Lloyd Michael's Ingmar Bergman's Persona (791.4372 I)

Roger W. Oliver's Ingmar Bergman: An Artist's Journey: On Stage, On Screen, In Print (791.4302 Bergman I)

John Simon's Ingmar Bergman Directs (791.4302 Bergman S)

Birgitta Steene's Focus on The Seventh Seal (791.4372 F)

John Russell Taylor's Cinema Eye, Cinema Ear: Some Key Film-Makers of the Sixties (791.43T)

List compiled by Jonathan Guildroy

October 2002