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The Virgin Spring

Released Nov 14, 1960 1h 28m Drama List
88% Tomatometer 25 Reviews 92% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
Devout Christians Töre and Märeta (Max von Sydow, Birgitta Valberg) send their only daughter, the virginal Karin (Birgritta Pettersson), and their foster daughter, the unrepentant Ingeri (Gunnel Lindblom), to deliver candles to a distant church. On their way through the woods, the girls encounter a group of savage goat herders who brutally rape and murder Karin as Ingeri remains hidden. When the killers unwittingly seek refuge in the farmhouse of Töre and Märeta, Töre plots a fitting revenge.
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The Virgin Spring

The Virgin Spring

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Critics Consensus

The Virgin Spring marks one of Ingmar Bergman's most controversial dramas, although its uncomfortable exploration of divine justice -- or lack thereof -- is undeniably thought-provoking.

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Critics Reviews

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Time Out Sven Nykvist's luminous black-and-white photography conspiring with the austerity of Bergman's imagery to create an extraordinary metaphysical charge. Jan 26, 2006 Full Review Eric Henderson Slant Magazine Represents the primary nexus between Bergman's austere but accessibly recherché works of the 1950s and his downright ascetic 1960s cinema. Rated: 2.5/4 Jan 23, 2006 Full Review Bosley Crowther New York Times It is far from an easy picture to watch or entirely commend. For Mr. Bergman has stocked it with scenes of brutality that, for sheer unrestrained realism, may leave one sickened and stunned. Rated: 1.5/5 May 9, 2005 Full Review Vernon Young Film Quarterly With [this film], Ingmar Bergman has moved without further hesitation into the deep crucial places of tragic art, into the abiding forest which surrounds our daytime and gives the lie to our belief that all contingent evils can be socialized away. Jan 30, 2024 Full Review Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review As filmmakers move from one period to the next, sometimes the most fascinating examples of their work occur in the transitions between phases. The Virgin Spring (Jungfrukällan) is such a film. Rated: 4/4 Jan 10, 2023 Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Fleshing out the source material, director Ingmar Bergman and writer Ulla Isaksson have created a powerful examination of Old Testament ire coupled with New Testament redemption. Rated: 3/4 Aug 10, 2021 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Isa B One element that always stands out in an Ingmar Bergman film is the meaningful dialog. This film.is no exception. It is a well written work with perfectly executed dialog. If any film in the history cinema will make you feel, this one certainly will. The young Karin was perhaps a little mischievous, but was more-or-less innocent and good-natured. She had obviously been spoiled by her mother and to a lesser degree, by her father. Her vanity and naivety got her into a dreadful situation. That scene was difficult to watch due to its brutality as it was presented in such a realistic manner. One might think the scene could have benefited from the use of theme music, however, I would argue that the lack of music gives it a much more realistic feel. It gives the scene an eerie vibe. I felt like I witnessed an awful crime and a helpless feeling came over me. This is obviously what Ingmar Bergman was going for and it worked to perfection. The film ends on a rather touching note with mankind accepting their sinful imperfections while seeking repentance from God. The miraculous appearance of the spring right where Karin's body lay was a nice touch to an already touching scene. Ingeri washing herself for the first time in the film, in effect, attempting to wash away her sins. This motion picture is very special to me. It is one of many masterpieces in the marvelous career of Ingmar Bergman. He never made the same film twice. He was arguably the greatest filmmaker of all time. I highly recommend this film. 97/100 Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/07/24 Full Review dave s Grim even by Ingmar Bergman's standards, The Virgin Spring is certainly one of his most bleak and disturbing films. Set in medieval Sweden, a young girl is sexually assaulted and murdered by a trio of goat herders, who later that evening find themselves seeking refuge in the home of the victim's father. It is a film about rape, murder, guilt, revenge and misguided religious devotion and is unrelenting in its impact. Bergman's direction, as always, is impeccable, as is Sven Nykvist cinematography. Filled with powerful images and meaningful symbolism, it is a film of grotesque beauty that is difficult to forget and even more difficult to digest. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Audience Member A well-directed film regarding a horrible tragedy. I watched this film not knowing much about it except that it was directed by Bergman. The film begins with some over-the-top smiley acting which I thought would continue throughout the film. However, the plot takes a tragic turn which allows the film to become more engaging as you don't know where the plot is going and what the reactions of the other characters will be. The film's acting is okay and the cinematography isn't good. However, the plot and screenplay helped keep my interest. Although an early film of his, Bergman's direction should be commended as the pace of the film never slows down too much. The film's direction and screenplay is good, however, most other elements of the film are sub-standard. The film won the Best Foreign Language Picture Oscar. I have not seen the other nominees except for Kapo which I did not like and was definitely not as well-made as The Virgin Spring. The film was also nominated for Best Costume Design which I didn't think made the film stand out but did allow me to believe the medieval Swedish world these characters were living in. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/11/23 Full Review Audience Member A masterpiece of movie-making. The good and the evil are acknowledged and not questioned, nor condemned by Bergman. It is the way it should be. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/15/23 Full Review Audience Member One of the most powerful legends in the history of cinematography! (with "The Seven Seal") Terrible, beautiful, spellbinding. The scene with a tree - timeless. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/05/23 Full Review marc r Tough, austere moral reckoning. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Virgin Spring

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Movie Info

Synopsis Devout Christians Töre and Märeta (Max von Sydow, Birgitta Valberg) send their only daughter, the virginal Karin (Birgritta Pettersson), and their foster daughter, the unrepentant Ingeri (Gunnel Lindblom), to deliver candles to a distant church. On their way through the woods, the girls encounter a group of savage goat herders who brutally rape and murder Karin as Ingeri remains hidden. When the killers unwittingly seek refuge in the farmhouse of Töre and Märeta, Töre plots a fitting revenge.
Director
Ingmar Bergman
Producer
Ingmar Bergman, Allan Ekelund
Screenwriter
Ulla Isaksson
Distributor
Criterion Collection, Janus Films
Production Co
Svensk Filmindustri (SF) AB
Genre
Drama
Original Language
Swedish
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 14, 1960, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Mar 11, 2017
Runtime
1h 28m
Sound Mix
Mono
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