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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writer:
Ingmar Bergman (writer)
Release Date:
October 1978 (USA) more
Plot:
After having neglected her children for many years, world famous pianist Charlotte visits her daughter Eva in her home... more | add synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 10 wins & 2 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(4 articles)
Good Morning, Oscar: October 2
(From The Wrap. 2 October 2009, 9:09 AM, PDT)
Auction Block: Shop Through Ingmar Bergman's Belongings
(From Cinematical. 15 September 2009, 6:02 AM, PDT)
User Comments:
A Bergman Masterpiece more (41 total)
Cast
(Complete credited cast)| Ingrid Bergman | ... | Charlotte Andergast | |
| Liv Ullmann | ... | Eva | |
| Lena Nyman | ... | Helena | |
| Halvar Björk | ... | Viktor | |
| Marianne Aminoff | ... | Charlotte's private secretary | |
| Arne Bang-Hansen | ... | Uncle Otto | |
| Gunnar Björnstrand | ... | Paul | |
| Erland Josephson | ... | Josef | |
| Georg Løkkeberg | ... | Leonardo | |
| Mimi Pollak | ... | Piano instructor | |
| Linn Ullmann | ... | Eva as a child |
Additional Details
Also Known As:
Autumn Sonata (USA)
Herbstsonate (West Germany)
Sonate d'automne (France)
more
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
99 min | UK:92 min
Country:
France | West Germany | Sweden
Color:
Color (Eastmancolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.66 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Australia:M | Norway:16 | Netherlands:16 (original rating) | Argentina:13 | Finland:K-12 | Sweden:11 | UK:15 | USA:PG | West Germany:12 (f) | Singapore:PG | UK:AA (original rating)
Filming Locations:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
The only time Ingrid Bergman acted in a film directed by Ingmar Bergman. more
Goofs:
Boom mic visible: In the dialogue scene where Charlotte is lying on the floor and Eva is sitting on the sofa behind her, the shadow of the boom mic is visible on the curtains when the camera pans to Eva for a few seconds. more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in "Jeopardy!: (#22.33)" (2005) more
Soundtrack:
Sonat F-dur, Opus 1 more
FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (41 total)
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Generally, either "Seventh Seal" or "Persona" is the film that a critic will name if s/he is stuck with the task of naming Ingmar Bergman's greatest achievement. A couple others might be named, but rarely do you hear a critic espouse the brilliance of "Autumn Sonata."
The first thing I noticed about this film is that it is, like "Cries and Whispers," nothing less than a painting. The textures, the warm reds and the close-ups of the faces of wounded souls, all combine to make the viewer realize that s/he is witnessing High Art.
Then there's the shot of Liv Ullman's wounded profile as she stares at her mother, Ingrid Bergman, while mother shows Liv how the Chopin piece should be played. It is an eloquent scene. Truly heartbreaking and unforgettable. One can feel Liv's pain begin to show itself: it is the painful shame of inadequacy and mediocrity made all the more shameful because it is mother inspiring these feelings in her.
Later, it's Liv's cruelty toward her mother in that unforgettable late night diatribe.
And finally, it's Liv's crippled sister and Ingrid's disgust at the thought that not only did mediocrity crawl out of her womb, but so did deformity and suffering.
The film is bleak (obviously) and the resolution is only slightly hopeful. It is however a masterpiece -- a film that reveals that what the world needs now is not Love, as the song proclaims, but Compassion and Grace. Liv Ullman is the only actress who can say these things without opening her mouth. Ingmar Bergman is the only filmmaker who can make a seemingly banal story into an eloquent prayer for redemption and reconciliation.
(CAUTION: Dont take mom to see it on mother's day ... unless...)