Sorrisos duma Noite de Verão (1955)

In Sweden at the turn of the century, members of the upper class and their servants find themselves in a romantic tangle that they try to work out amidst jealousy and heartbreak.

Director:

Ingmar Bergman

Writer:

Ingmar Bergman

Stars:

Ulla Jacobsson, Eva Dahlbeck, Harriet Andersson

Nominated for 3 BAFTA Film Awards. Another 2 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Ulla Jacobsson	...	Anne Egerman
Eva Dahlbeck	...	Desiree Armfeldt
Harriet Andersson	...	Petra the Maid
Margit Carlqvist	...	Countess Charlotte Malcolm (as Margit Carlquist)
Gunnar Björnstrand	...	Fredrik Egerman
Jarl Kulle	...	Count Carl Magnus Malcolm
Åke Fridell	...	Frid the Groom
Björn Bjelfvenstam	...	Henrik Egerman (as Björn Bjelvenstam)
Naima Wifstrand	...	Mrs. Armfeldt
Jullan Kindahl	...	Beata, cook
Gull Natorp	...	Malla
Birgitta Valberg	...	Actress
Bibi Andersson	...	Actress

Storyline

It's late nineteenth century Sweden. Middle aged lawyer Fredrik Egerman and his nineteen year old current wife Anne Egerman's two-year marriage has not yet been consummated. Fredrik wants to give Anne as much time as she needs to feel comfortable before losing her virginity. Although she loved Fredrik when they got married, Anne realizes she is attracted to Fredrik's adult son, Henrik Egerman, a brooding seminary student who is home following his most recent exams. Also a virgin, Henrik has been in an awkward flirtation with the Egermans' sexually experienced maid, Petra, in an effort to lose his virginity. When she first sees actress Desirée Armfeldt, Anne, without Fredrik telling her, knows that Desirée and Fredrik used to be lovers, the two who still have feelings for each other. Desirée currently is having an affair with married Count Carl-Magnus Malcolm. While he is jealous of any man who Desirée shows any attention to such as Fredrik, he is not the same with his young wife, the ...

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Plot Keywords:

master maid relationship | talking in one's sleep | theater | theater actress | breaking a vow of chastity | 

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Taglines:

A titillating, tantalizing tug-of-amour played for the happiest stakes of all by the merriest, mixed-up menage of brides, mistresses, and wives and wandering males that ever lampooned the love game!

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance

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Did You Know?

Trivia

The film is included on Roger Ebert's "Great Movies" list.

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Goofs

While everyone is at the supper, Henrik collapses on the table. Anna puts her hand on his right shoulder but after a cutaway to Fredrik's face, her hand is now on the left shoulder. She is also much closer to the table, and Fredrik is looking the wrong way.

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Quotes

Desiree Armfeldt: We all know that each man has his dignity. We women have the right to commit manifold sins against husbands, lovers and sons, excepting one: to offend their dignity. If we do so, we are foolish and must bear the consequences. Rather, we should make of a man's dignity our foremost ally and caress it, soothe it, speak fondly to it and handle it as our dearest toy. Only then do we have a man in our hands, at our feet, or wherever else we want him at that particular moment.

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Alternate Versions

Originally, the UK theatrical version had the words "lust" changed to "passion" and "lecherous fantasies" changed to "unspeakable dreams". The lines "Nearly everything that's fun is a sin. Then I say three cheers for sin" were completely cut.

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Connections

Version of Live from Lincoln Center: New York City Opera: A Little Night Music (1990)

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Soundtracks

Freut Euch des Lebens
Traditional

User Reviews

One of Bergmans's best

I have seen just about all of Bergman's available films and Smiles of a Summer Night is among my favorites. The humor derives from the situations, cleverness of the dialogue and foibles of the characters, rather than from Woody Allen-type punch lines. (Bergman has funnier lines in Seventh Seal coming from the squire in his scenes with the church painter and blacksmith). Much of the humor comes from the changeability of the characters. At one point, Jarl Kulle's character says he doesn't mind if someone has an affair with his wife, but they better not fool around with his mistress, and later on says just the opposite. Like Renoir's Rules of the Game or Carne's Children of Paradise, the ensemble cast grows on you with each viewing. Along with Wild Strawberries, a good place to start with Bergman.

Details

Country:

Sweden

Language:

Swedish

Release Date:

17 February 1960 (Portugal)

Also Known As:

Sorrisos de Uma Noite de Verão

Filming Locations:

Ystad, Skåne län, Sweden

Box Office

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$11,329

Company Credits

Production Co:

Svensk Filmindustri (SF)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

109 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1