Scenes from a Marriage (1973) Scener ur ett äktenskap (original title)

Director:

Ingmar Bergman

Writer:

Ingmar Bergman (written by)

Release Date:

15 September 1974 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Plot:

Ten years of Marianne and Johan's relationship are presented. We first meet them ten years into their marriage...

Plot Keywords:

Divorce | Couple | Affair | Human Relationship | First Part

Awards:

Won Golden Globe. Another 12 wins & 2 nominations

Cast

Liv Ullmann	...	Marianne
Erland Josephson	...	Johan
Bibi Andersson	...	Katarina
Jan Malmsjö	...	Peter
Gunnel Lindblom	...	Eva
Anita Wall	...	Fru Palm
Barbro Hiort af Ornäs	...	Fru Jacobi
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Lena Bergman	...	Karin, syster till Eva
Wenche Foss	...	Modern
Rossana Mariano	...	Eva, 12 år
Bertil Norström	...	Arne
Ingmar Bergman	...	Fotografen / Speaker (voice) (uncredited)

Directed by
Ingmar Bergman

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Ingmar Bergman		written by

Produced by
Lars-Owe Carlberg	....	producer

Cinematography by
Sven Nykvist

Film Editing by
Siv Lundgren

Production Design by
Björn Thulin

Costume Design by
Inger Pehrsson

Production Companies

• Cinematograph AB

Distributors

• Dianafilmi (1981) (Finland) (theatrical)
• British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) (1973-1974) (UK) (TV)
• Cinema 5 Distributing (1974) (USA) (subtitled)
• Concorde Vídeo (Brazil) (VHS)
• Criterion Collection, The (2004) (USA) (DVD)
• Criterion Collection, The (????) (USA) (laserdisc)
• FS Film Oy (2003) (Finland) (DVD)
• Gutek Film (2007) (Poland) (all media)
• Kinowelt Home Entertainment (2005) (Germany) (DVD)
• Tartan Video (1995) (video) (subtitled)
• Versátil Home Vídeo (2006) (Brazil) (DVD)

Also Known As:

"Scener ur ett äktenskap" - Sweden (original title)

Runtime:

167 min | Sweden:299 min (TV version)

Country:

Sweden

Language:

Swedish

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Argentina:16 | Finland:K-11 (TV version) (2003) (DVD) | Finland:K-12 (theatrical version) (1981) | Netherlands:16 | Sweden:15 | USA:PG | West Germany:16 | UK:AA | UK:15 (video rating) (1986)

Filming Locations:

Fårö, Gotlands län, Sweden

Company:

Cinematograph AB

Trivia:

Bergman's script for the (shortened) film version has been used for theatrical performances.

Quotes:

Johan:Affection shouldn't be kept just for vacations.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Mystery Science Theater 3000: Fugitive Alien (#4.10)" (1991)

Soundtrack:

Concerto for violin, strings & continuo in B flat major, Op. 10, No. 1

Stunningly authentic

There are few other films that have the direct authenticity of this one. It is very frank, honest, tender, and heartbreaking. The performances of the two primary actors are amazing. Never once did I doubt their sincerity. In every single scene they overwhelmingly conveyed the intense and nuanced emotions of the couple. I use the word "overwhelmingly" because that is exactly what it is. At times it is hard to watch. Especially the scene in which Johan admits his infidelity. I could feel Marainne's hurt/anger/confusion. There are moments of intense tenderness, as in the last scene where Johan comforts Marianne after her nightmare. To be sure, the actors had some incredible material with which to work. Bergman knows human nature as much as any of modern writer. His dialog is poetic at times, and achingly authentic at others. They way the couple eviscerates and dissects each other is alarmingly, yet honest. Rarely is a character saying what they actually feel. Rarely do the characters know what they feel. They, like many people, really are "emotional illiterates." Bergman's direction is minimal, and that is what makes it so effective. The emphasis is completely on the characters and their existences. This is a powerful, evocative film. And I have seen only the theatrical version. I can imagine the full TV version is even more detailed.