Fanny and Alexander (1982) Fanny och Alexander (original title)

Director:

Ingmar Bergman

Writer:

Ingmar Bergman (written by)

Release Date:

17 December 1982 (Sweden)

Genre:

Drama | Fantasy | Mystery

Tagline:

En film av Ingmar Bergman

Plot:

Two young Swedish children experience the many comedies and tragedies of their family, the Ekdahls.

Plot Keywords:

Bishop | Jewish | Female Nudity | Puppet Theater | Family Gathering

Awards:

Won 4 Oscars. Another 20 wins & 7 nominations

Cast

Pernilla Allwin	...	Ekdahlska huset - Fanny Ekdahl
Bertil Guve	...	Ekdahlska huset - Alexander Ekdahl
Börje Ahlstedt	...	Ekdahlska huset - Carl Ekdahl
Allan Edwall	...	Ekdahlska huset - Oscar Ekdahl
Ewa Fröling	...	Ekdahlska huset - Emilie Ekdahl
Gunn Wållgren	...	Ekdahlska huset - Helena Ekdahl (as Gun Wållgren)
Jarl Kulle	...	Ekdahlska huset - Gustav Adolf Ekdahl
Jan Malmsjö	...	Biskopsgården - Bishop Edvard Vergerus
Christina Schollin	...	Ekdahlska huset - Lydia Ekdahl
Kerstin Tidelius	...	Biskopsgården - Henrietta Vergerus
Emelie Werkö	...	Ekdahlska huset - Jenny Ekdahl
Marianne Aminoff	...	Biskopsgården - Blenda Vergérus
Sonya Hedenbratt	...	Ekdahlska huset - Aunt Emma
Svea Holst	...	Ekdahlska huset - Miss Ester
Kristina Adolphson	...	Ekdahlska huset - Siri
Kristian Almgren	...	Ekdahlska huset - Putte Ekdahl
Carl Billquist	...	Ekdahlska huset - Police Superintendent Jespersson
Axel Düberg	...	Ekdahlska huset - Witness to Bishop's death
Siv Ericks	...	Ekdahlska huset - Alida
Patricia Gélin	...	Ekdahlska huset - Statue (as Patricia Gelin)
Majlis Granlund	...	Ekdahlska huset - Miss Vega
Maria Granlund	...	Ekdahlska huset - Petra Ekdahl
Eva von Hanno	...	Ekdahlska huset - Berta
Olle Hilding	...	Ekdahlska huset - Old Clergyman
Käbi Laretei	...	Ekdahlska huset - Aunt Anna von Bohlen
Mona Malm	...	Ekdahlska huset - Alma Ekdahl
Lena Olin	...	Ekdahlska huset - Rosa
Gösta Prüzelius	...	Ekdahlska huset - Doctor Fürstenberg
Hans Strååt	...	Ekdahlska huset - Clergyman at Wedding
Pernilla August	...	Ekdahlska huset - Maj (as Pernilla Wallgren)
Inga Ålenius	...	Ekdahlska huset - Lisen
Harriet Andersson	...	Biskopsgården - Justina
Mona Andersson	...	Biskopsgården - Karna (Maid)
Hans Henrik Lerfeldt	...	Biskopsgården - Elsa Bergius
Marianne Nielsen	...	Biskopsgården - Selma (Maid)
Marrit Ohlsson	...	Biskopsgården - Malla Tander (Cook) (as Marrit Olsson)
Anna Bergman	...	Teatern - Hanna Schwartz
Gunnar Björnstrand	...	Teatern - Filip Landahl
Nils Brandt	...	Teatern - Mr. Morsing (actor)
Lars-Owe Carlberg	...	Teatern - Glee Singer
Gus Dahlström	...	Teatern - Props Man
Ernst Günther	...	Teatern - Rector Magnificus
Hugo Hasslo	...	Teatern - Glee Singer
Heinz Hopf	...	Teatern - Tomas Graal (actor)
Maud Hyttenberg	...	Teatern -Miss Sinclair (Actress) (as Maud Hyttenberg-Bartoletti)
Sven-Erik Jacobsson	...	Teatern - Glee Singer
Marianne Karlbeck	...	Teatern - Miss Palmgren
Kerstin Karte	...	Teatern - Prompter
Tore Karte	...	Teatern - Office Manager
Åke Lagergren	...	Teatern -Johan Armfeldt (Actor)
Sune Mangs	...	Teatern - Mr. Salenius (Actor)
Per Mattsson	...	Teatern- Mikael Bergman (Actor)
Lickå Sjöman	...	Teatern - Grete Holm (Actress)
Ryno Wallin	...	Teatern
Georg Årlin	...	Teatern - Colonel
Daniel Bell	...	Teaterorkestern
Gunnar Djerf	...	Teaterorkestern
Folke Eng	...	Teaterorkestern
Ebbe Eng	...	Teaterorkestern
Evert Hallmarken	...	Teaterorkestern
Nils Kyndel	...	Teaterorkestern
Ulf Lagerwall	...	Teaterorkestern
Börje Mårelius	...	Teaterorkestern
Karl Nilheim	...	Teaterorkestern
Erland Josephson	...	Jacobis hus - Isak Jacobi
Stina Ekblad	...	Jacobis hus - Ismael Retzinsky
Mats Bergman	...	Jacobis hus - Aron Retzinsky
Viola Aberlé	...	Jacobis hus - Japanese Woman
Gerd Andersson	...	Jacobis hus - Japanese Woman
Ann-Louise Bergström	...	Jacobis hus - Japanese Woman
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Matthias Bolliger	...	Teatern (uncredited)
Marie-Hélène Breillat	...	Jacobis hus (uncredited)
Krister Hell	...	Young man who helps Isak with coffer (uncredited)
Linda Krüger	...	Biskopsgården - Pauline (uncredited)
Mats Lindblom	...	Man (uncredited)
Michael Santiago	...	Voice (uncredited)
Marie-Louise Sid	...	Teatern - Dancer (uncredited)
Peter Stormare	...	Young man who helps Isak with coffer (uncredited)
Pernilla Wahlgren	...	Biskopsgården - Esmeralda (uncredited)

Directed by
Ingmar Bergman

Writing credits
Ingmar Bergman		(written by)

Produced by
Jörn Donner	....	producer
Renzo Rossellini	....	co-producer (uncredited)
Daniel Toscan du Plantier	....	producer (uncredited)

Original Music by
Daniel Bell

Cinematography by
Sven Nykvist

Film Editing by
Sylvia Ingemarsson

Art Direction by
Anna Asp

Set Decoration by
Susanne Lingheim

Costume Design by
Marik Vos-Lundh		(as Marik Vos)

Makeup Department
Cecilia Drott	....	wig maker
Kjell Gustavsson	....	wig maker
Barbro Haugen	....	makeup artist (as Barbro H Haugen)
Anna-Lena Melin	....	makeup artist
Leif Qviström	....	makeup artist
Mariann Virdestam	....	wig maker

Production Management
Katinka Faragó	....	production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Peter Schildt	....	assistant director

Art Department
Gunilla Allard	....	props
Jan Andersson	....	props
Olle Berg	....	carpenter
Kenneth Blomqvist	....	carpenter
Anna Marie Davidsson	....	painter
Christer Ekelund	....	props
Tua Ekholm	....	painter
Jan Eriksson	....	carpenter
Kenth Eriksson	....	painter (as Kent Eriksson)
Annmargret Fyregård	....	assistant set decorator
Ylva Hammar	....	painter
Teddy Holm	....	painter
Johan Husberg	....	props
Cecilia Iversen	....	painter
Dick Jacobsson	....	painter
Lisbeth Jansson	....	painter
Nisse Johansson	....	carpenter
Andrew Jones	....	painter
Donald Karlsson	....	painter
Lena Karlsson	....	painter
Bengt Landegren	....	painter
Kaj Larsen	....	technical director
Berth Martinsson	....	carpenter (as Bert Martinsson)
Percy Nilsson	....	construction grip
Rolf Persson	....	head painter
Ulrika Rindegård	....	assistant set decorator
Björn Sinclair	....	carpenter
Bertil Sjölund	....	carpenter
Anna Skagerfors	....	painter
Tom Stocklassa	....	painter
Hans Strandberg	....	carpenter
Bengt Svedberg	....	painter
Anders Söderlund	....	carpenter
Jakob Tigerskiöld	....	draughtsman
Sigrid William-Olsson	....	painter
John Alvin	....	poster artist (uncredited)

Sound Department
Björn Gunnarsson	....	sound mixer
Björn Gunnarsson	....	sound
Lars Liljeholm	....	sound mixer
Lars Liljeholm	....	sound
Bo Persson	....	sound mixer
Bo Persson	....	sound
Owe Svensson	....	sound mixer
Owe Svensson	....	sound

Special Effects by
Bengt Lundgren	....	special effects

Stunts
Johan Thorén	....	stunts (as Johan Torén)

Camera and Electrical Department
Torbjörn Andersson	....	electrician
Daniel Bergman	....	grip
Ulf Björck	....	electrician
Arne Carlsson	....	still photographer
Tony Forsberg	....	camera operator: second unit
Ragnar Hansson	....	electrician
Kent Högberg	....	electrician
Lars Karlsson	....	assistant camera
Ted Lindahl	....	electrician
Dan Myhrman	....	assistant camera
Ulf Pramfors	....	grip

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Ingabritt Adrianson-Ejenstam	....	costume assistant (as Ingabritt Adriansson)
Anne-Marie Broms	....	costume assistant (as Anne Marie Broms)
Wiveca Dahlström	....	tailor
Ann Katrin Edmark	....	tailor
Görel Engstrand	....	costume assistant
Solveig Eriksson	....	tailor
Rosemarie Karlsson	....	tailor
Maria Lindmark	....	costume assistant
Elsie-Britt Lindström	....	costume producer
Ann-Christin Lobråten	....	costume assistant (as Annchristin Lobråten-Hjelm)
Kristina Makroff	....	costume producer
Robert Nordlund	....	costume producer
Lena Persson	....	tailor
Kjell Sundqvist	....	costume producer
Niclas Svartengren	....	tailor
Caroline Von Rosen	....	tailor
Lenamari Wallström	....	costume assistant

Editorial Department
Mikael Lönndahl	....	assistant editor (uncredited)

Music Department
Frans Helmerson	....	musician
Marianne Jacobs	....	musician
Per Lyng	....	conductor

Transportation Department
Åke Dahlbom	....	driver

Other crew
Ingrid Bergman	....	administrator
Mildred Brandt	....	hostess
Lars-Owe Carlberg	....	administrator
Kerstin Eriksdotter	....	script supervisor
Berit Gullberg	....	press officer
Arne Högsander	....	dolls
Hellen Igler	....	accountant
Eva Ivarsson	....	location manager
Benita Lundqvist	....	production secretary
Nils Melander	....	laboratory technician
Marie Rechlin	....	teacher
Fredrik Von Rosen	....	administrator
Brita Werkmäster	....	location manager
Christian Wirsén	....	laterna magica
Mercedes Björlin	....	choreographer (uncredited)

Production Companies

• Cinematograph AB (as Cinematograph)
• Svenska Filminstitutet (SFI) (for)
• Gaumont (for)
• Personafilm (for)
• SVT Drama (for) (as SVT 1)
• Tobis Filmkunst (for) (as Tofisfilm)

Distributors

• Sandrew Film & Teater (1982) (Sweden) (theatrical)
• Gaumont (1982) (France) (theatrical)
• Artificial Eye (1983) (UK) (theatrical)
• Embassy Pictures Corporation (1983) (USA) (theatrical) (subtitled)
• Walhalla (1983) (Finland) (theatrical)
• IFA (1984) (Argentina) (theatrical)
• Sveriges Television (SVT) (1984) (Sweden) (TV) (director's cut)
• Nelson Entertainment (1988) (USA) (VHS)
• Suomen Kunnallispalvelu (1992) (Finland) (VHS)
• Yleisradio (YLE) (1995) (Finland) (TV)
• Finn Innovation Products (1998) (Finland) (VHS)
• Artificial Eye (2002) (UK) (DVD) (TV version)
• Criterion Collection, The (2004) (USA) (DVD) (special edition)
• Homescreen (2005) (Netherlands) (DVD)
• Zima Entertainment (2005) (Mexico) (DVD)
• YLE Teema (2006) (Finland) (TV)
• Sandrews (2007) (Sweden) (DVD)
• Filmmuseum Distributie (2008) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
• FS Film Oy (2008) (Finland) (DVD)
• Svensk Filmindustri (SF) (2008) (Sweden) (DVD)
• Svensk Filmindustri (SF) (2008) (Sweden) (DVD) (Blu-ray)
• Lumière Home Entertainment (2009) (Belgium) (DVD)
• Lumière Home Entertainment (2009) (Belgium) (DVD) (Blu-ray)
• Lumière Home Entertainment (2009) (Netherlands) (DVD)
• Lumière Home Entertainment (2009) (Netherlands) (DVD) (Blu-ray)
• Rosebud (2009) (Greece) (all media)
• Forum Film (????) (Finland) (VHS)
• Pole Vídeo Comunicações Ltda. (????) (Brazil) (VHS)
• Versátil Home Vídeo (????) (Brazil) (DVD)

Other Companies

• Freskkvartetten  orchestra
• Stockholms Regionmusikkår  orchestra

Also Known As:

"Fanny och Alexander" - Sweden (original title)
"Fanny & Alexander" - International (English title)

Runtime:

188 min | Sweden:312 min (director's cut)

Country:

Sweden | France | West Germany

Language:

Swedish | German | Yiddish | English

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Argentina:16 | Canada:14A | Canada:G (Quebec) | Chile:18 | Finland:K-16 | Iceland:L | Singapore:M18 | Sweden:11 | UK:15 | USA:R | West Germany:16 | Norway:16 (original rating) | Italy:T | South Korea:15 | Philippines:R-13 | Australia:M | Peru:14 | Australia:MA (Cable TV rating) | Portugal:M/12 (Qualidade) | Australia:MA (cable rating)

Filming Locations:

Europa Studios, Bromma, Stockholm, Stockholms län, Sweden

Company:

Cinematograph AB

Trivia:

The part of Bishop Edvard Vergérus was written by Ingmar Bergman with Max von Sydow in mind. When the screenplay was completed, von Sydow was contacted about playing the role, which would have been his first in a Bergman film since The Touch (1971). Von Sydow was willing and, in fact, very excited about playing the role. However, Bergman was not aware of this, since von Sydow was in Los Angeles at the time, and could only be reached through his agent who, acting in what he perceived as von Sydow's interest, told Bergman and his producers that von Sydow would only play the role if he could have a percentage of the film's profits, in addition to his salary. The producers, already stretched to their financial limits, of course balked, and told the agent that, sadly, there could be no such compromise, and began looking for other actors to play the pivotal part. By the time von Sydow had learned why his beloved role had been taken from him, Jan Malmsjö had already been cast as the Bishop, and von Sydow lost his chance to star in what would later be known to be Bergman's "last film" (although he would play key roles in The Best Intentions (1992) and Private Confessions (1996) (TV), both written by Bergman). Von Sydow was furious about the incident, and, by certain accounts, still harbours a bitter grudge about it to this day.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: Among the Christmas decorations in the Ekdahl house, there is a garland of miniature flags of Scandinavian countries, including the Finnish flag. The Finnish flag was in fact only designed and adopted after Finnish independence in 1917, a decade after the events of the film.

Quotes:

Biskopsgården - Bishop Edvard Vergerus:You don't get rid of me that easy!

Movie Connections:

References Zero de Conduite (1933)

Absolutely Awe-Inspiring

You could call this my opinion of Bergman's Fanny and Alexander...as opposed to a review. I really don't feel the need in describing or summarizing this film. Any review, as I see it, would be pointless. Words just can't convey what makes a truly great movie as good as it is. The best "review" I could give Fanny and Alexander is to just see the damned thing. If you can't sit through it, so be it. But, those who are willing to give it their attention, I promise, will be rewarded continuously through the film's duration. Anyone who sits through the entire film, especially the full-length version, I think, will find it difficult to say that they were bored. More than likely, they will find it easy to say, "That was a damned good movie." I, myself, was surprised. Previous to seeing F&A, I had never seen a film quite this long. I'm glad I did. I'll also throw this in: most film buffs, I think it's safe to say, will always consider Bergman to be the master of gloom. This may be true, but I think Fanny and Alexander proves beyond any doubt that his ability to express the joy that exists in life is every bit as great, and truly refreshing.