Höstsonaten (1978)

Director:

Ingmar Bergman

Writer:

Ingmar Bergman (writer)

Release Date:

October 1978 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

After having neglected her children for many years, world famous pianist Charlotte visits her daughter Eva in her home...

Plot Keywords:

Pianist | Widow | Marriage | Mother Daughter Estrangement | Train

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 10 wins & 2 nominations

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

Also Known As:

Autumn Sonata (USA)
Herbstsonate (West Germany)
Sonate d'automne (France)

Runtime:

99 min | UK:92 min

Country:

France | West Germany | Sweden

Language:

Swedish | English

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

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:

Jar, Norway

Company:

Filmédis

Trivia:

The only time Ingrid Bergman acted in a film directed by Ingmar Bergman.

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.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Jeopardy!: (#22.33)" (2005)

Soundtrack:

Sonat F-dur, Opus 1

A Bergman Masterpiece

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...)