#0000A/#210: BERGMAN, Ingmar: Winter Light (1962)

A FILM TRILOGY BY INGMAR BERGMAN {Spine #208}

BERGMAN, Ingmar (Sweden)

Winter Light [1962]

Spine #0000A/Spine #210

Blu-ray/DVD

2003 synopsis

"God, why did you desert me?" With Winter Light, master craftsman Ingmar Bergman explores the search for redemption in a meaningless existence. In this stark depiction of spiritual crisis, small-town pastor Tomas Ericsson (Gunnar Björnstrand) performs his duties mechanically before a dwindling congregation. When he is asked to assist a troubled parishioner (Max von Sydow) with his debilitating fear of nuclear annihilation, Tomas is terrified to find that he can offer nothing but his own uncertainty. Beautifully photographed by Sven Nykvist, Winter Light is an unsettling look at the human craving for personal validation in a world seemingly abandoned by God.

2018 synopsis

"God, why hast thou forsaken me?" With Winter Light, Bergman explores the search for redemption in a meaningless existence. Small-town pastor Tomas Ericsson (Gunnar Björnstrand) performs his duties mechanically before a dwindling congregation, including his stubbornly devoted lover, Märta (Ingrid Thulin). When he is asked to assuage a troubled parishioner’s (Max von Sydow) debilitating fear of nuclear annihilation, Tomas is terrified to find that he can provide nothing but his own doubt. The beautifully photographed Winter Light is an unsettling look at the human craving for personal validation in a world seemingly abandoned by God.

80 minutes
Black & White

Monaural

in Swedish

1:33:1 aspect ratio

Criterion Release 2003/2018

Director/Writer

Ingmar Bergman was 44 when he wrote and directed Winter Light.

Other Bergman films in the Collection:

#0000A/Eclipse Series 1: Crisis (1946)

#0000A/Eclipse Series 1: A Ship To India (1947)

#0000A/Eclipse Series 1: Port Of Call (1948)

#0000A/Eclipse Series 1: Thirst (1949)

#0000A/Eclipse Series 1: To Joy (1950)

#0000A/#613: Summer Interlude (1951)

#0000A: Waiting Women (1952)

#0000A/#412: Sawdust And Tinsel (1953)

#0000A/#614: Summer With Monika (1953)

#0000A: A Lesson In Love (1954)

#0000A: Dreams (1955)

#0000A/#237: Smiles Of A Summer Night (1955)

#0000A/#11: The Seventh Seal (1957)
#0000A/#139: Wild Strawberries (1957)
#0000A/#537: The Magician (1958)
#0000A: Brink Of Life (1958)

#0000A/#321: The Virgin Spring (1960)

#0000A: The Devil's Eye (1960)

#0000A/#209: Through A Glass Darkly (1961)

#0000A/#211: The Silence (1963)

#0000A: All These Women (1964)

#0000A/#701: Persona (1966)

#0000A: Hour Of The Wolf (1968)

#0000A/#961: Shame (1968)

#0000A: The Passion Of Anna (1969)

#0000A: The Rite (1969)

#0000A: Fårö Document (1970)

#0000A: The Touch (1971)

#0000A/#101: Cries And Whispers (1972)

#0000A/#229: Scenes From A Marriage (1973)

#0000A/#71: The Magic Flute (1975)

#0000A: The Serpent’s Egg (1977)

#0000A/#60: Autumn Sonata (1978)

#0000A: Fårö Document 1979 (1979)

#0000A: From The Life Of The Marionettes (1980)

#0000A/#262: Fanny And Alexander — The Theatrical Version (1982)

#0000A/#263: Fanny And Alexander — The Television Version (1982)

#0000A/#264: Fanny And Alexander — The Making Of Fanny And Alexander (1982)

#0000A: After The Rehearsal (1984)

#0000A: Saraband (2003)

The Film

Film Rating (0-60):

60

The Extras

The Booklet

#0000A: 250-page book featuring an essay by Catherine Whealey.

#210: Twelve-page wraparound featuring an essay by Peter Cowie.

Commentary

None.

#0000A /#210:

Exploring the film

Video discussion with Ingmar Bergman biographer Cowie, recorded in 2003 (11 minutes).

Original U.S. theatrical trailer

#0000A:

Introduction

By Bergman, recorded in 2003.

Spine #212: Ingmar Bergman Makes a Movie

 Extras Rating (0-40):

39

60 + 39 =

99

By Director
By Spine #