The Virgin Spring

Released Nov 14, 1960

1h 28m

Drama

List

88%

Tomatometer

25 Reviews

92%

Audience Score

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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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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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

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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

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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

Audience Member

I have to admit, I've never been a massive fan of Bergman's flicks, but they always look spectacular. The use of natural light, and lingering close-up shots are something else. He always picks actors with uncompromisingly interesting looking faces too, which helps.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/21/23

Full Review

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Ingmar Bergman

Director

Max von Sydow

Töre

Birgitta Valberg

Märeta

Gunnel Lindblom

Ingeri

Birgritta Pettersson

Karin

Axel Düberg

Thin Herdsman

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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
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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