The Sacrifice (1986)
"Offret" (original title)

At the dawn of WWIII a man searches for a way to restore peace to the world and finds he must give something in return.

Director:

Andrei Tarkovsky

Writer:

Andrei Tarkovsky (scenario)

Stars:

Erland Josephson, Susan Fleetwood, Allan Edwall

Won 1 BAFTA Film Award. Another 8 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Credited cast:
Erland Josephson	...	Alexander
Susan Fleetwood	...	Adelaide
Allan Edwall	...	Otto
Guðrún Gísladóttir	...	Maria (as Guðrún S. Gísladóttir)
Sven Wollter	...	Victor
Valérie Mairesse	...	Julia
Filippa Franzén	...	Marta
Tommy Kjellqvist	...	Gossen
Per Källman	...	Ambulansförare
Tommy Nordahl	...	Ambulansförare
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Tintin Anderzon	...	(voice)
Helena Brodin	...	(voice)
Birgit Carlstén	...	(voice)
Jane Friedmann	...	(voice)
Martin Lindström	...	(voice)

Storyline

Alexander, a journalist and former actor and philosopher, tells his little son how worried he is about the lack of spirituality of modern mankind. In the night of his birthday, the third world war breaks out. In his despair Alexander turns himself in a prayer to God, offering him everything to have the war not happen at all.

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Plot Keywords:

dream | spirituality | self immolation | hope | apocalypse | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

Sweden UK France

Language:

Swedish French English

Release Date:

November 1986 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Sacrifice

Filming Locations:

Filmhusateljéerna, Filmhuset, Svenska Filminstitutet, Gärdet, Stockholm, Stockholms län, Sweden

Box Office

Gross:

$300,653 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Svenska Filminstitutet (SFI), Argos Films, Film Four International

Technical Specs

Runtime:

142 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The part where Alexanders tells Little Man about when they found their house, is actually the true story of how Andrei Tarkovsky and his wife, Larisa Tarkovskaya, found their house in the USSR.

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Quotes

[first lines]
[sub-titled]
Alexander: Come here and give me a hand, my boy.

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Crazy Credits

Before end credits: "This film is dedicated to my son Andriosha - with hope and confidence. Andrei Tarkovskij"

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Connections

Edited into Final Cut: Hölgyeim és uraim (2012)

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Soundtracks

"Nezasa No Shirabe"
Performed by Watazumido-Shuso (Hotchiku flöjt)
The Everest Record Group 3289

User Reviews

Altogether a Masterpiece

This is a spare and haunting work that weaves its spell slowly yet powerfully. Every shot is framed with loving care, and Tarkovsky allows the camera to remain fixed on a scene as events unfold. It's perhaps the most beautifully photographed film I've ever seen. There's very little music during the course of the movie, yet subtle, mysterious sounds contribute to an overall feeling of mystery and foreboding. The acting and dialogue are no doubt greatly influenced by the work of Bergman. Perhaps the film is a kind of homage to him.

This is definitely not a popcorn movie, nor one to see on a first date. I recommend you see it when you're not distracted or impatient - when you can be fully present and mindful as events develop at an unhurried, organic, human pace. The cumulative effect is devastating, yet somehow wonderfully cathartic.