Torment
(1944)
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Torment
(1944)
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| Complete credited cast: | |||
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Stig Järrel | ... |
Caligula
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Alf Kjellin | ... |
Jan-Erik Widgren
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| Mai Zetterling | ... |
Bertha Olsson
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Olof Winnerstrand | ... |
The Headmaster
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Gösta Cederlund | ... |
Pippi
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Hugo Björne | ... |
Doctor Nilsson
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Olav Riégo | ... |
Mr. Widgren
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Märta Arbin | ... |
Mrs. Widgren
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Jan Molander | ... |
Pettersson
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
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Hilda Borgström | ... |
Caligula's Mother
(scenes deleted)
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Gunnar Carlsson | ... |
Student
(as Lars-Gunnar Carlsson)
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Anna Olin | ... |
Aunt Elisabeth
(scenes deleted)
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Jan-Erik Widgren is a high-school senior. His Latin teacher, Caligula, is feared by everybody, both teachers and students. Widgren falls in love with Berta, who works in a tobacco store. She tells him that she is harassed by a mean, sadistic man, but does not tell him that it is Caligula himself. Written by Mattias Thuresson
While I believe the film to be a bit formulaic and is at the beginning of Bergman's career (of course he's the screenwriter here), this did captivate me for the most part. It has a level of intensity, mostly built by the psychotic Latin teacher. Any of us who have been in a class run by a tyrant, can feel our flesh crawl. The classroom scenes are really provocative and unsettling. When he shows that little smile, we know he is in much greater control than we realize. The biggest weakness for me was the whole thing with the shop girl. Why wouldn't she name her tormentor? How far had this relationship gone. We aren't privy to tender moments between the lovers, so we mostly see her as an unstable drunk, living in constant fear. What was the attraction. Was it strictly carnal. Was he sorry for her or taken with her in a kind of "Human Bondage" way. Anyway, I thought their relationship needed a great more. It is uplifting in its own way, however, and deserves a viewing. It really works pretty well.