#0000A: BERGMAN, Ingmar: The Rite (1969)

BERGMAN, Ingmar (Sweden)
The Rite [1969]
Spine #0000A
Blu-ray


Synopsis 1

Ingmar Bergman conceived this experimental work as a response to his controversial tenure at the Royal Dramatic Theatre. Focusing on four characters — a trio of actors charged with obscenity (Ingrid Thulin, Gunnar Björnstrand, Anders Ek), and the judge assigned to try them (Erik Hell) — The Rite alternates between criminal interrogations and interpersonal confrontations shown in flashback, leading to a final "performance" that makes for one of the most bizarre moments in Bergman's filmography. Staged on a bare sets and shot almost entirely in close-up, The Rite condenses a decade's worth of cinematic exploration into seventy-five tense, unsettling minutes.

Synopsis 2

Bergman conceived this experimental work as a response to his controversial tenure at the Royal Dramatic Theatre. Focusing on four characters — a trio of actors charged with obscenity (Ingrid Thulin, Gunnar Björnstrand, Anders Ek), and the judge assigned to try them (Erik Hell) — The Rite alternates between criminal interrogations and interpersonal confrontations, leading to a final "performance" that makes for one of the most bizarre moments in Bergman's filmography. Staged on a bare sets and shot almost entirely in close-up, The Rite condenses a decade's worth of cinematic exploration into seventy-five tense, unsettling minutes.

75 minutes
Black & White
Monaural
in Swedish
1:33:1 aspect ratio
Criterion Release 2018
Director/Writer


Ingmar Bergman was 51 when he directed The Rite.

Other Bergman films in the Collection:


The Film

Film Rating (0-60):

60

The Extras

Extras Rating (0-40):

39

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