Winter Light (1962)

Want to see it?

Seen it?

0
1
2
3
4
5
Rate this movie.

Want to buy it?

Write a review

Discuss it

Add to lists

Recommend it

Get recommendations

Directed by Ingmar Bergman.

Starring Gunnar Björnstrand, Gunnel Lindblom, Max von Sydow, Ingrid Thulin, Allan Edwall.

The Winter Light is the second in a trilogy of dramas by acclaimed Swedish director Ingmar Bergman that explores religious faith and doubts in a visceral, visual, and provocative manner. The first, Through a Glass Darkly, was an international success and heralded this new phase in the director's career. This compelling drama is set within a three-hour period on a Sunday afternoon in November, and begins when the local pastor, Tomas Ericsson (Gunnar Bjornstrand), is finishing his sermon. As of late, Pastor Ericsson has watched his congregation dwindle to a minimal level. Among the remaining parishioners is Marta (Ingrid Thulin) a plain-looking schoolteacher who has long been in love with the pastor. Meanwhile, fisherman Jonas (Max von Sydow) is anxiety-ridden over the nuclear power of the Communist Chinese, but Pastor Ericsson cannot help him, saddled with some overwhelming spiritual dilemmas of his own. As Ericsson struggles with his demons and faces Marta's unwanted (and to him, repugnant) romantic attentions, some hints of the qualities of God begin to surface. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide

[more]

Reviews and discussions

Re:No sir, I don't like it
by Risselada in B Movies

loved it.

"Woah! The Decalogue and Winter Light are both fantastic! That makes me want to see Early Summer too now! I know what you are saying about the "Yeah let's watch it again!" thing. But Winter Light is at least one I wouldn't mind watching again every few years. As opposed to some movies that I think are just as good but I could probably watch them a couple times a year and still enjoy them. " [More]

Re:No sir, I don't like it
by csprague in B Movies

loved it.

"[quote user="SkyPilot"] You know the horse from Ren and Stimpy? MISTER HORSE: Hmmm... (rubs chin with hoof, wags tail) No sir, I don't like it. That's what I'm like when I wonder if I liked Eraserhead. I recently saw it for the third time. It was showing in an independent movie theatre, and there was a guy in the lobby trying to decide if he should see it. He asked me, "Is it good?" "Not really, but you'll never forget it." "That's what everyone's saying!" he said. Have you guys had movie experiences like this? Do you have a name for them? And why do I keep watching Eraserhead if I can't even say I like it? Circle of Iron is a little like this for me too, though I have more fun watching that movie than Eraserhead. I struggle for the metaphors to describe what it's like for me to watch Circle of Iron... It's like drinking celery-flavored pop, then burping a little bit of warm soda back into my mouth, and then laughing. [/quote] mmmm celery flavored pop. That sounds absolutely ... " [More]

Winter Light in the Valley of E ...
by dibot in dibot Blog

liked it.

Was this review helpful? [Be the first to tell us!]
"Always, always behind I am. The weekend before the Oscars, I made a desperate attempt to catch up on the nominated films. I quite enjoyed The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, even though the film was almost as long as its name. Casey Affleck ("Gone Baby Gone")once again shows he's the real actor in the family. Gorgeous cinematography, the ever glorious Sam Rockwell ("Snow Angels"), and an interesting look at how a man can chose to betray his idol complete the package. In the Valley of Elah wore on my patience almost from the first scene. Of course, Tommy Lee Jones ("No Country for Old Men") and Susan Sarandon ("Enchanted") were awesome, but Charlize Theron ("Aeon Flux") is as drab as the scenery. The story should have been interesting, if not tense. A soldier disappears from base after returning from Iraq and his father goes to look for him. And it sort of tries for a message. But I blame Paul Haggis (& ... " [More]

God's Silence
by chesterfilms in chesterfilms Blog

loved it.

Was this review helpful? [Be the first to tell us!]
"Winter light is a film so beautiful in every way. Amazing performances in this one. Photographed by Bergman regular, Sven Nykvist, the composition of the shots tell much of the story. Many scenes are given power because of the lighting alone. I always find it frightening when a man of God loses his faith. To turn your back on everything he has built his life on? Like Wild Strawberries, I find that this film ends with hope. The best scene where a man questions The Pastor about the last moments of Jesus's life, and compares the physical pain to the pain of being forsaken by God. God's silence must be the most painful experience. " [More]

Review by All Movie Guide

All Movie Guide

liked it.

The second film in his trilogy on faith, Ingmar Bergman's Winter Light (1962) is an austere chamber piece that encapsulates a pastor's theological crisis within one Sunday afternoon. Suffering from an emotional shut-down and a spiritual void, the priest's ability to hear only "God's silence" permeates the film, beginning with the opening recitation of the Lord's Prayer superimposed over shots of the parish's desolate, snow-covered houses. Featuring no music, few sets, a small cast, and stark black-and-white photography by Sven Nykvist, Bergman's spare style is an intense complement to the central dilemma; whether they are shown in close-ups or in long shots dwarfed by their surroundings, the characters exist in a literal isolation that has no solution or outlet. A harsh, powerful study of religious and personal alienation, Winter Light is a testament to Bergman's formidable artistic control -- and not a film for those seeking escapist entertainment. ~ Lucia Bozzola, All Movie Guide

Tags: foreign , priest , amazing , depressing , criterion
View all