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IMDbPro

The Virgin Spring

Original title: Jungfrukällan
  • 19601960
  • Not RatedNot Rated
  • 1h 29m
IMDb RATING
8.1/10
29K
YOUR RATING
The Virgin Spring (1960)
  • Drama
In 14th-century Sweden, an innocent yet pampered teenage girl and her family's pregnant and jealous servant set out from their farm to deliver candles to church, but only one returns from ev... Read allIn 14th-century Sweden, an innocent yet pampered teenage girl and her family's pregnant and jealous servant set out from their farm to deliver candles to church, but only one returns from events that transpire in the woods along the way.In 14th-century Sweden, an innocent yet pampered teenage girl and her family's pregnant and jealous servant set out from their farm to deliver candles to church, but only one returns from events that transpire in the woods along the way.
IMDb RATING
8.1/10
29K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Ingmar Bergman
  • Writer
    • Ulla Isaksson
  • Stars
    • Max von Sydow
    • Birgitta Valberg
    • Gunnel Lindblom
Top credits
  • Director
    • Ingmar Bergman
  • Writer
    • Ulla Isaksson
  • Stars
    • Max von Sydow
    • Birgitta Valberg
    • Gunnel Lindblom
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 114User reviews
    • 113Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Won 1 Oscar
      • 6 wins & 2 nominations total

    Photos94

    Axel Düberg, Tor Isedal, and Ove Porath in The Virgin Spring (1960)
    Gunnel Lindblom and Birgitta Pettersson in The Virgin Spring (1960)
    Max von Sydow and Birgitta Valberg in The Virgin Spring (1960)
    "Jungfrukallan" (aka "The Virgin Spring") Max von Sydow, Brigitta Pettersson 1960 SF
    "Jungfrukallan" (aka "The Virgin Spring") Brigitta Pettersson 1960 SF
    "Jungfrukallan" (aka "The Virgin Spring") Max von Sydow 1960 SF
    "Jungfrukallan" (aka "The Virgin Spring") Max von Sydow, Brigitta Pettersson 1960 SF
    "Jungfrukallan" (aka "The Virgin Spring") Max von Sydow, Brigitta Pettersson 1960 SF
    "Jungfrukallan" (aka "The Virgin Spring") Brigitta Pettersson 1960 SF
    The Virgin Spring (1960)
    The Virgin Spring (1960)
    The Virgin Spring (1960)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Max von Sydow
    Max von Sydow
    • Töreas Töre
    Birgitta Valberg
    Birgitta Valberg
    • Märetaas Märeta
    Gunnel Lindblom
    Gunnel Lindblom
    • Ingerias Ingeri
    Birgitta Pettersson
    Birgitta Pettersson
    • Karinas Karin
    Axel Düberg
    Axel Düberg
    • Thin Goat Herderas Thin Goat Herder
    Tor Isedal
    Tor Isedal
    • Mute Goat Herderas Mute Goat Herder
    Allan Edwall
    Allan Edwall
    • Beggaras Beggar
    Ove Porath
    Ove Porath
    • Boy Goat Herderas Boy Goat Herder
    Axel Slangus
    • Bridge Keeperas Bridge Keeper
    Gudrun Brost
    Gudrun Brost
    • Fridaas Frida
    Oscar Ljung
    Oscar Ljung
    • Simonas Simon
    Tor Borong
    • Old Farm-handas Old Farm-hand
    Leif Forstenberg
    • Young Farm-handas Young Farm-hand
    • Director
      • Ingmar Bergman
    • Writer
      • Ulla Isaksson
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The bridge keeper played by Axel Slangus clearly is supposed to be Odin. Beside his comments about recognizing Ingeri as if they have met before (suggesting he heard her prayer at the beginning of the film), there are several nods to Odinic lore. Before the bridge keeper appears, a raven is seated outside his hut. The raven was considered to be sacred to Odin. When the bridge keeper is finally shown up close, it can be seen that he is one-eyed, which is Odin's most prominent feature, having sacrificed an eye to attain wisdom. Finally, when Ingeri sits in the high-seat, she suddenly has seemingly clairvoyant hearing. This is a nod to Odin's high-seat Hlidskjalf, from which he could see all things happening in the world.
    • Goofs
      When the Boy Goat Herder is placing dirt on Karin's body, her torso moves even though she is supposed to be dead.
    • Quotes

      Beggar: See the smoke trembling under the roof as if with fright? Yet when it gets out in the air, it has the whole sky to swirl about in. But it doesn't know that, so it huddles and trembles in the soot under the roof. It's the same with people. They quiver like a leaf in the storm, afraid of what they know and what they don't know.

    • Connections
      Featured in Ljuset håller mig sällskap (2000)

    User reviews114

    Review
    Top review
    9/10
    Masterpiece.
    Legendary Swedish director, Ingmar Bergman's probable precursor to Wes Craven's notorious 1972 shocker 'The Last House on the Left' is a far more compelling and emotionally draining film that adroitly and continuously switches the viewers sentiments up until the despondent, tranquil and haunting ending. While one minute the viewer is laughing along with the youthful, if naïve, exuberance of the young Karin (Birgitta Petterssen), the following minute will encourage different emotions as Bergman plunges the viewer into the middle of a nightmarish crime perpetrated by nothing less than the evil inside man. Although the portrayals of the acts committed in 'The Virgin Spring' are far less graphic than the modern viewer may have become accustomed to, they still retain an immense power to horrify as one cannot ignore the great lengths Bergman has gone to in order to give his characters a base in order to harden the impact of what we see. With just the simplest of dialogue, the viewer continues to learn about the relationships and personalities of each of the characters so that we may appreciate the consequences and, in some ways, forgive the actions that we see. This film is, after all, a tale of morality and repentance and therefore, even while in some cases the actions may be evil, it is necessary to accept the goodness that is still there. This thought is made no clearer than during the solemn and subdued final scene which fades out abruptly and leaves the viewer in a state of quiet reflection.

    Bergman's pacing and subtle direction which at one point leaves the viewer in suspense for what seems like an eternity is surely the reason for the greatness of this film. As if he were playing chess, he manipulates not only the characters, but the emotions of the viewers with intelligent and surprising maneuvers while pressing home his own sentiments regarding the story so that we may at least take into great consideration the events that we have seen. Bergman has an amazing ability to flip the atmosphere of a movie in a split second using various lighting and camera angle techniques as well as motivating his performers to follow suit. The simple expression changes on the faces of Birgitta Petterssen, Max von Sydow, Birgitta Valberg and Gunnel Lindblom at various points throughout the film quickly alter the mindset of the viewer and indicate that all is not well; so beautiful in undeniable simplicity.

    'The Virgin Spring' is nothing short of a masterpiece and a film that few will be able to forget. 9½/10
    helpful•110
    22
    • Snake-666
    • Nov 14, 2004

    FAQ8

    • What is 'The Virgin Spring' about?
    • Is 'The Virgin Spring' based on a book?
    • How does the Swedish title 'Jungfrukällan' translate?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 14, 1960 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • Sweden
    • Languages
      • Swedish
      • German
    • Also known as
      • Die Jungfrauenquelle
    • Filming locations
      • Dalarnas län, Sweden
    • Production company
      • Svensk Filmindustri (SF)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    • Gross worldwide
      • $1,528
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • Runtime
      1 hour 29 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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