Directors: Bergman!
In the history of cinema, few filmmakers cast a shadow as immense as Ingmar Bergman, whose brilliant body of work tackled both personal demons and broader questions about the human condition with a fearless and fascinating hunger. In honor of Bergman's birthday this week, here are twelve films we consider must-sees from the Swedish filmmaker.
Fanny & Alexander
(Fanny och Alexander)
In the wake of their father's death, siblings Fanny and Alexander must adjust to their new life and new home.
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- Sweden, France, West Germany • 1982
- Director Ingmar Bergman
- Cast Bertil Guve, Pernilla Allwin, Allan Edwall, Ewa Fröling, Erland Josephson, Jan Malmsjö
- Genre Drama, Fantasy, Mystery
- Available on Criterion Channel, Max Amazon Channel, Apple TV, Fandango At Home, Amazon Video
Autumn Sonata
(Höstsonaten)
Time can't heal all wounds.
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- West Germany, United Kingdom • 1978
- Director Ingmar Bergman
- Cast Ingrid Bergman, Liv Ullmann, Lena Nyman, Halvar Björk, Marianne Aminoff, Arne Bang-Hansen
- Genre Drama
- Available on Criterion Channel, Max Amazon Channel, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Fandango At Home, YouTube
Scenes from a Marriage
(Scener ur ett äktenskap)
A couple's stable marriage is upended when the husband cheats, but as divorce proceedings are underway, the two reconcile.
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- Sweden • 1974
- Director Ingmar Bergman
- Cast Liv Ullmann, Erland Josephson, Bibi Andersson, Jan Malmsjö, Gunnel Lindblom, Wenche Foss
- Genre Drama, Romance
- Available on Criterion Channel, Max Amazon Channel, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube
Cries and Whispers
(Viskningar och rop)
Four women dressed in white... in a mansion painted red... haunted by whispers and cries.
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- Sweden • 1972
- Director Ingmar Bergman
- Cast Harriet Andersson, Ingrid Thulin, Kari Sylwan, Liv Ullmann, Erland Josephson, Anders Ek
- Genre Drama
- Available on Criterion Channel, Max Amazon Channel, Apple TV, Amazon Video
Shame
(Skammen)
When their island is invaded, a married couple must adapt to life under war and foreign occupation.
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- Sweden • 1968
- Director Ingmar Bergman
- Cast Liv Ullmann, Max von Sydow, Sigge Fürst, Gunnar Björnstrand, Birgitta Valberg, Hans Alfredson
- Genre Drama, War
- Available on Criterion Channel, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube
Persona
Two separate people. Will they combine into one?
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- Sweden • 1966
- Director Ingmar Bergman
- Cast Bibi Andersson, Liv Ullmann, Margaretha Krook, Gunnar Björnstrand, Jörgen Lindström
- Genre Drama
- Available on Criterion Channel, Max Amazon Channel, Apple TV, Amazon Video, JustWatchTV
Winter Light
(Nattvardsgästerna)
The pastor of a near-empty church is slowly losing his faith when a young couple approaches him needing guidance.
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- Sweden • 1963
- Director Ingmar Bergman
- Cast Gunnar Björnstrand, Ingrid Thulin, Gunnel Lindblom, Max von Sydow, Allan Edwall, Kolbjörn Knudsen
- Genre Drama
- Available on Criterion Channel, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Fandango At Home, YouTube
The Virgin Spring
(Jungfrukällan)
When his daughter is raped and murdered in the woods, a father plots his revenge.
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- Sweden • 1960
- Director Ingmar Bergman
- Cast Max von Sydow, Birgitta Valberg, Gunnel Lindblom, Birgitta Pettersson, Axel Düberg, Allan Edwall
- Genre Drama
- Available on Criterion Channel, Apple TV, Fandango At Home, Amazon Video, Kanopy
The Seventh Seal
(Det sjunde inseglet)
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- Sweden • 1957
- Director Ingmar Bergman
- Cast Max von Sydow, Gunnar Björnstrand, Bengt Ekerot, Nils Poppe, Bibi Andersson, Erik Strandmark
- Genre Fantasy, Drama
- Available on Criterion Channel, Max Amazon Channel, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Fandango At Home, Amazon Video, YouTube, Kanopy
Wild Strawberries
(Smultronstället)
A retired doctor reflects on his life during a long road trip to receive an honorary degree.
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- Sweden • 1957
- Director Ingmar Bergman
- Cast Victor Sjöström, Bibi Andersson, Ingrid Thulin, Gunnar Björnstrand, Jullan Kindahl, Gunnar Sjöberg
- Genre Drama
- Available on Criterion Channel, Max Amazon Channel, Apple TV, Amazon Video, Kanopy
Smiles of a Summer Night
(Sommarnattens leende)
A newlywed couple still has not consummated when the man's ex attempts to seduce him on a weekend couples retreat.
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- Sweden • 1955
- Director Ingmar Bergman
- Cast Gunnar Björnstrand, Ulla Jacobsson, Eva Dahlbeck, Harriet Andersson, Margit Carlqvist, Jarl Kulle
- Genre Comedy, Romance
- Available on Criterion Channel, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Fandango At Home, YouTube
Summer with Monika
(Sommaren med Monika)
During a summer, two teenagers in love leave their small town and get married after an unexpected pregnancy.
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- Sweden • 1953
- Director Ingmar Bergman
- Cast Harriet Andersson, Lars Ekborg, Dagmar Ebbesen, Åke Fridell, Naemi Briese, Åke Grönberg
- Genre Drama, Romance
- Available on Criterion Channel, Apple TV, Amazon Video, Kanopy