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The Virgin Spring (1960)

Jungfrukällan (original title)
Not Rated | | Drama | 14 November 1960 (USA)
The Virgin Spring Poster
An innocent yet pampered young virgin and her family's pregnant and jealous servant set out to deliver candles to church, but only one returns from events that transpire in the woods along the way.

Director:

Ingmar Bergman

Writer:

Ulla Isaksson

Stars:

Max von Sydow, Birgitta Valberg, Gunnel Lindblom | See full cast & crew »
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Won 1 Oscar. Another 4 wins & 2 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Complete credited cast:
Max von Sydow ... Töre
Birgitta Valberg ... Märeta
Gunnel Lindblom ... Ingeri
Birgitta Pettersson ... Karin
Axel Düberg ... Thin Herdsman
Tor Isedal ... Mute Herdsman
Allan Edwall ... Beggar
Ove Porath Ove Porath ... Boy
Axel Slangus Axel Slangus ... Bridge Keeper
Gudrun Brost ... Frida
Oscar Ljung ... Simon
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Tor Borong Tor Borong ... Farm-hand
Leif Forstenberg Leif Forstenberg ... Farm-hand
See full cast »
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Storyline

Set in beautiful 14th century Sweden, it is the sombre, powerful fable of wealthy land-owning parents whose daughter, a young virgin, is brutally raped and murdered by goat herders after her half sister has invoked a pagan curse. By a bizarre twist of fate, the murderers ask for food and shelter from the dead girl's parents, who, discovering the truth about their erstwhile lodgers, exact a chilling revenge. Written by L.H. Wong <as9401k56@ntuvax.ntu.ac.sg>

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

virgin | rape | murder | revenge | pregnancy | See All (112) »

Genres:

Drama

Certificate:

Not Rated | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
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Details

Country:

Sweden

Language:

Swedish | German

Release Date:

14 November 1960 (USA) See more »

Also Known As:

The Virgin Spring See more »

Filming Locations:

Dalarnas län, Sweden See more »
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Box Office

Gross USA:

$1,526,000
See more on IMDbPro »

Company Credits

Production Co:

Svensk Filmindustri (SF) See more »
Show more on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1
See full technical specs »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Mentioned in the Van Halen song The Seventh Seal. See more »

Goofs

If you look closely when the boy is placing dirt on Karin's body, you can see her torso move as the actress breathes (even though she was supposed to be dead). See more »

Quotes

Töre: Bring me the slaughtering-knife.
See more »

Connections

Referenced in The Silent God (2018) See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do Karin's parents recognize the goat herders as the murderers?
Q: How does the movie end?
Q: How does the Swedish title 'Jungfrukallen' translate?
See more »

User Reviews

 
One of the most heartbreaking films I have ever seen
15 February 2004 | by BlueGreen – See all my reviews

... and that's about all I can SAY about it. I saw this film four, maybe five years ago. And to this day, I feel a blow to my gut whenever I remember it. To this day, it haunts me - especially (and not surprisingly) the figure of the little boy.

This is a raw, uncompromising, unbiased parable on love and revenge; on humanity. It is set in 14th century Sweden - but its "message" is timeless: as timeless as love and vengefulness themselves. As timeless as humanity itself. Because the mores may change, but today, as 800 years ago, people are still helpless in their (perhaps inevitable) core existential ignorance, still subject to the immense pain of losing a loved one, of the inexplicable torments that often befall just and righteous, "good" people.

And that is what makes this a brutal, heartrending, unforgettable film.
69 of 83 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you? | Report this
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