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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 »
Reviews
Won 1 Oscar. Another 4 wins & 2 nominations. See more awards »

Photos

See all 93 photos »
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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 (113) »

Genres:

Drama

Certificate:

Not Rated | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

The script is based on the medieval Swedish ballad "Per Tyrssons döttrar i Vänge". See more »

Goofs

After seating himself in the room where the three drifters are asleep, Tore drives the point of his dagger into a table with a loud thump. It defies belief that none of the drifters were awakened by this. See more »

Quotes

Karin: [singing] The little bird, he soars so high, And rides the wind on his wing, It is such work, such work to fly, And over high mountains to spring, The streams flow so merrily, And under the verdant trees, In Springtime's breeze...
See more »

Connections

Featured in Bergman: A Year in the Life (2018) See more »

User Reviews

Experienced Rather Than Watched
21 February 2003 | by postmanwhoalwaysringstwice – See all my reviews

Sometimes Bergman's films, though full-fledged masterpieces (I AM NOT DISCREDITING HIM), are visual expressions seen with the screen as a wall between the viewer and the characters. I think that wall was taken down with "The Virgin Spring". Here he tells an emotionally intense story at the perfect pace with perfect pitch. No matter how horrific the occurrences on the screen, this film has been created with such an aesthetically appealing touch that the dichotomies and balance Bergman works towards is evident. Terrific!
41 of 59 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you? | Report this
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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do Karin's parents recognize the goat herders as the murderers?
Q: Are Karin and Ingeri sisters?
Q: Why does Ingeri curse Karin?
See more »
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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 »
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Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1
See full technical specs »
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