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IMDb > Breaking the Waves (1996)
Breaking the Waves
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Breaking the Waves (1996)

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User Rating: 7.7/10 (17,011 votes)
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Overview

Director:
Lars von Trier
Writers:
Lars von Trier (written by)
Peter Asmussen (co-written by)
more
Release Date:
13 November 1996 (USA) more view trailer
Genre:
Drama | Romance 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
User Comments:
Love gives and love takes more

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)
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Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
Amor omnie (Denmark) (working title)
Breaking the Waves (France)
more
MPAA:
Rated R for strong graphic sexuality, nudity, language and some violence.
Runtime:
159 min | USA:153 min (director's cut) | Argentina:158 min
Language:
English
Color:
Color (Eastmancolor)
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Dolby Digital
Filming Locations:
Copenhagen, Denmark more
MOVIEmeter: ?
V 4% since last week why?

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
In modern film editing, the original film footage is transferred to video where it is edited to its final cut, then used as a guide for a negative cutter going back to the original film footage. In the case of this film, however, they just recorded the video edit back to 35mm, resulting in its unique, highly grainy look. more
Quotes:
Bess McNeill: Everyone has one thing they're good at. I've always been stupid, but I'm good at this. more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in From Dogma to Dogville: Don't Try This at Home (2006) more
Soundtrack:
Scotland the Brave more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
18 out of 30 people found the following comment useful:-
Love gives and love takes, 24 March 1999
7/10
Author: lib-4 from Florida

I have never seen an actress who can express more with her eyes than Emily Watson. Despite its length and the hand held camera, BTW is an unusual film about love and obsession. Jan can be interpreted as sick for what he asks Bess to do- but he comes around and realizes his sin- but it's too late for Bess. Faith and love get all mixed up in this movie- it's sad and powerful.

The movie makes the viewer really think about how far they will go if they love someone. Bess is pure in her own way and it is her downfall. Thought provoking film that contrasts religion with love and what God intends for us.

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Greatest Films Ever Made supernintendochalmers11
Committed? What did I miss? straitandnarrow
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