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Private Confessions

Play trailer Poster for Private Confessions 1996 2h 7m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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82% Tomatometer 17 Reviews 83% Popcornmeter 100+ Ratings
Five conversations frame a flawed marriage in this film written by Ingmar Bergman about his parents. Guilt-ridden wife Anna (Pernilla August) divulges an extramarital affair to a priest, her uncle Jacob (Max von Sydow). He presses her to confess her sins to her husband, Henrik. As the film moves back and forth in time, the notion of truth is tested. Tomas, the lover, and Henrik will find that Anna's confessions do not absolve anyone, and have the power to inflict more pain.

Critics Reviews

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Ronnie Scheib Chicago Reader 07/31/2007
Ullman isn't particularly interested in the angst of human interaction or the difficulty of knowing truth; she seems fascinated by the pathos of feelings that are all the more intense for being of questionable integrity. Go to Full Review Lisa Alspector Chicago Reader 07/31/2007
Each sequence is introduced by an intertitle suggesting it will contain an isolated conversation, an archly inaccurate notion that deepens the drama by appearing to deny its complexity. Go to Full Review David Stratton Variety 07/31/2007
Ullmann handles the rich material with simplicity and feeling, using snatches of classical music only sparingly and concentrating on the faces of her exemplary cast. Go to Full Review Ken Fox TV Guide 07/31/2007
3.5/4
The sight of von Sydow vomiting up a communion wafer is a pretty good indication that age hasn't mellowed the master one whit. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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02/24/2012 Although this is technically an Ullmann directed film, it has all the feel of Bergman that goes beyond what he provided in the written script. What we discover is how much of the real Bergman story is portayed in his films. See more 11/30/2007 Outstanding performances (especially Pernilla August) and impeccably written script by Ingmar Bergman, make this my favorite of the trilogy. Ullman's direction is slightly more esoteric than The Best Intentions. Great choice of music too. Lastly, this is the final contribution of the late great Sven Nykvist. All around, first-rate filmmaking. See more Read all reviews
Private Confessions

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Liv Ullmann

Director

Pernilla August

Anna

Max von Sydow

Jacob

Samuel Fröler

Henrik

Thomas Hanzon

Tomas Egerman

Kristina Adolphson

Maria

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Private Confessions

Private Confessions (1996) Private Confessions (1996) Private Confessions (1996) Private Confessions (1996) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Five conversations frame a flawed marriage in this film written by Ingmar Bergman about his parents. Guilt-ridden wife Anna (Pernilla August) divulges an extramarital affair to a priest, her uncle Jacob (Max von Sydow). He presses her to confess her sins to her husband, Henrik. As the film moves back and forth in time, the notion of truth is tested. Tomas, the lover, and Henrik will find that Anna's confessions do not absolve anyone, and have the power to inflict more pain.
Director
Liv Ullmann
Producer
Ingrid Dahlberg
Screenwriter
Ingmar Bergman
Production Co
SVT Drama
Genre
Drama
Original Language
Swedish
Release Date (TV)
Aug 17, 2000
Runtime
2h 7m
Sound Mix
Dolby Digital, Surround