The Virgin Spring: An Igmar Bergman Movie

The Virgin Spring: An Ingmar Bergman's 1960 film with Max von Sydow.

BACKGROUND:
I chose to feature this film because, like Ang Lee, it was the first art film I'd seen. I became a fan of Bergman and von Sydow and even today 49 years later with all the innovations in film The Virgin Spring is still a magnificent piece of film making.

Not so for Bergman: "A film which was one of my shadiest, it seems to me just now, was The Virgin Spring.
— Ingmar Bergman, Bergman on Bergman

According to Wikipedia the story is based on a 13th century Swedish ballad named "Töres dotter i Wänge" and which was adapted by screenwriter Ulla Isaksson. It is one of the few films Bergman directed but did not write

THE STORY:
Set in medieval Sweden, this story of rape was directed by the great Ingmar Bergman and earned an Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film. While to delivering candles to a church, the virginal daughter (Birgitta Pettersson) of feudal landowner Töre (Max von Sydow) is brutally raped and murdered. As fate would have it, however, the killers unknowingly seek food and shelter at the girl's home. The grief-stricken Töre learns the truth about his visitors and takes his revenge.

My TAKE:
Beautifully filmed, outstanding ensemble performances and brilliantly conceived and directed.

CONCLUSION:
The film is in black and white and runs 1 hour 29 minutes.

It goes without saying I love the film and give a top 5 star rating.
Go get it!