The Magic Lantern of Ingmar Bergman: The Virgin Spring
April 1, 2025
Presented by The Swedish Club and Greg Olson Productions
The Magic Lantern of Ingmar Bergman
In medieval Sweden pagan beliefs are tempered by a new Christian sense of morality. Chance brings a passionate father (Max von Sydow) face-to-face with men who harmed his angelic daughter (Gunnel Lindblom). Which actions are sinful, which righteous? And what of miracles? Oscar for Best Foreign Film.
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Tuesday, April 1, 2025
It’s a time of spiritual questioning and transition in medieval Sweden. Pagan beliefs based on multiple gods and the forces of nature are being replaced by the single standard of Christian morality. Two young sisters ride off on horseback to light candles for the Virgin Mary. The family favorite is the vain, virginal Karin (Brigitta Peterson) , and the darkly sensual Ingeri (Gunnel Lindblom) is inflamed with jealousy. She places a pagan curse on Karin, the sisters approach a group of herdsmen, and only Ingeri arrives back home. Later the girls’ father Tore (Max von Sydow) welcomes the herdsmen to stop over at his home, and becomes suspicious of them. The new Christian code Tore is trying to live by says the sins of others will ultimately be severely punished, but what if Tore sins now? When his blood is boiling what can humility and restraint bring him? What of leaps of faith, and miracles? Academy Award Oscar, and Golden Globe Award, for Best Foreign Film.
—Greg Olson
- Director: Ingmar Bergman
- Principal Cast: Max von Sydow, Birgitta Valberg, Gunnel Lindblom, Birgitta Pettersson, Axel Duberg, Tor Isedal, Allan Edwall
- Year: 1959
- Running Time: 89 min.
- Screenplay: Ulla Isaksson, from a traditional ballad
- Cinematographers: Sven Nykvist
- Editors: Oscar Rosander
- Music: Erik Nordgren
- International Sales: Svensk Filmindustri