IMDb >
Breaking the Waves (1996)
Watch It
Buy it at Amazon
Rent it at Blockbuster.com
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
BETA
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotesOverview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv scheduleAwards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage boardPlot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotesFun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQOther Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDeskPromotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo galleryExternal Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clipsBreaking the Waves (1996) More at IMDbPro »
| Videos (see all 6) |
Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers:
Release Date:
13 November 1996 (USA)
more
Tagline:
Love is a mighty power.
Plot:
Oilman Jan is paralyzed in an accident. His wife, who prayed for his return, feels guilty; even more, when Jan urges her to have sex with another. full summary | add synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for Oscar.
Another 40 wins
&
13 nominations
more
NewsDesk:
(32 articles)
Exclusive Interview: Chris Alexander talks to Lars Von Trier about Antichrist
(From Fangoria. 12 November 2009, 8:33 AM, PST)
Exclusive Interview: Chris Alexander talks to Lars Von Trier about Antichrist
(From Fangoria. 12 November 2009, 8:33 AM, PST)
(From Fangoria. 12 November 2009, 8:33 AM, PST)
Exclusive Interview: Chris Alexander talks to Lars Von Trier about Antichrist
(From Fangoria. 12 November 2009, 8:33 AM, PST)
User Comments:
A powerful, original vision. One of the greatest movies of the last ten years.
more (196 total)
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| Emily Watson | ... | Bess McNeill | |
| Stellan Skarsgård | ... | Jan Nyman | |
| Katrin Cartlidge | ... | Dodo McNeill | |
| Jean-Marc Barr | ... | Terry | |
| Adrian Rawlins | ... | Dr. Richardson | |
| Jonathan Hackett | ... | Priest | |
| Sandra Voe | ... | Mother | |
| Udo Kier | ... | Sadistic Sailor | |
| Mikkel Gaup | ... | Pits | |
| Roef Ragas | ... | Pim | |
| Phil McCall | ... | Grandfather | |
| Robert Robertson | ... | Chairman | |
| Desmond Reilly | ... | An Elder | |
| Sarah Gudgeon | ... | Sybilla | |
| Finlay Welsh | ... | Coroner (as Finley Welsh) |
Additional Details
Also Known As:
MPAA:
Rated R for strong graphic sexuality, nudity, language and some violence.
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
159 min | USA:153 min (director's cut)
Language:
Color:
Color (Eastmancolor)
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Iceland:16 |
Singapore:R21 (re-rating) |
New Zealand:R16 |
Australia:R |
Canada:18A |
Chile:18 |
Denmark:12 |
Finland:K-14 |
France:-12 |
Germany:12 |
Hong Kong:III |
Hungary:16 |
Italy:VM14 |
Netherlands:16 |
Norway:15 |
Portugal:M/16 |
Singapore:R(A) |
South Korea:18 |
Spain:18 |
Sweden:15 |
UK:18 |
USA:R |
Argentina:16 |
Israel:18
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
Helena Bonham Carter was originally cast in the role of Bess.
more
Quotes:
Dodo McNeill:
Not one of you has the right to consign Bess to hell!
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in From Dogma to Dogville: Don't Try This at Home (2006)
more
Soundtrack:
In a Broken Dream
more
FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (196 total)
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Breaking the Waves (1996) moreRecommendations
If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
Show more recommendations
|
|
|
|
|
| El crimen del padre Amaro | The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne | Edvard Munch | Les invasions barbares | Turks fruit |
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
Related Links
| Full cast and crew | Company credits | External reviews |
| News articles | IMDb Drama section | IMDb Denmark section |
| Add this title to MyMovies |



It's a pity that for most people Lars von Trier's involvement with the Dogme group of film makers is the main thing they know about him. Wherever you stand on the Dogme issue (personally I'm all for it as long as they continue to make movies as great as 'Festen' and 'The Idiots'), his brief alliance with the group has overshadowed amazing work like 'Element Of Crime', 'Europa' and 'Breaking The Waves'. 'Breaking The Waves' was made before the Dogme manifesto was formulated, but it can be seen as a step in that direction, with its use of documentary techniques as opposed to the flamboyant and highly stylized approach of von Trier's earlier films. To me the ends justifies the means, and the bottom line is that this is an extraordinary and powerful movie, one of the greatest of the last ten years. The main reason it is so remarkable is because of the devastating performance of Emily Watson, one of the most impressive screen debuts in the history of film. Watson plays Bess McNeill, a naive and odd young woman living in a remote and deeply religious Scottish community. She is so good in this movie she'll leave you speechless! Stellan Skarsgard, a most underrated actor in my opinion,('Insomnia', 'Ronin') plays Bess's husband and is also superb, and the supporting cast includes the late Katrin Cartlidge ('Naked') as Watson's sister-in-law, and von Trier regulars Jean-Marc Barr (almost unrecognizable from his leading role in 'Europa'), as one of Skarsgard's work buddies, and cult legend Udo Kier ('Flesh For Frankenstein', 'The Story Of O') in a cameo as a very nasty piece of work who Bess has the misfortune to encounter. The less you know about this movie the more powerful it will be, and even a jaded cynic like myself was surprised at how effective its spiritual theme was. To me 'Breaking The Waves' is a much better more than von Trier's better known 'Dancer In The Dark', and Watson's performance makes Bjork's look like that of an enthusiastic but not very talented amateur (which of course, is exactly what she is). Highly recommended.