Through a Glass Darkly (1961)

Recently released from a mental hospital; Karin rejoins her emotionally disconnected family and their island home, only to slip from reality as she begins to believe she is being visited by God.

Director:

Ingmar Bergman

Writer:

Ingmar Bergman

Stars:

Harriet Andersson, Gunnar Björnstrand, Max von Sydow

Won 1 Oscar. Another 2 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Harriet Andersson	...	Karin
Gunnar Björnstrand	...	David
Max von Sydow	...	Martin
Lars Passgård	...	Minus

Storyline

A young woman, Karin, has recently returned to the family island after spending some time in a mental hospital. On the island with her is her lonely brother and kind, but increasingly desperate husband ('Max von Sydow'). They are joined by Karin's father ('Gunnar Björnstrand'), who is a world-traveling author that is estranged to his children. The film depicts how Karin's grip on reality slowly slips away and how the bonds between the family members are changing in light of this fact.

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Plot Keywords:

mental illness | father son relationship | father daughter relationship | brother sister relationship | schizophrenia | 

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Taglines:

"For now we see though a glass darkly; but then face to face; now I know in part; but then I shall know even as also I am known" I Corinthians 13:12

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

Sweden

Language:

Swedish Latin

Release Date:

16 October 1961 (Sweden)

Also Known As:

Through a Glass Darkly

Filming Locations:

Fårö, Gotlands län, Sweden

Company Credits

Production Co:

Svensk Filmindustri (SF)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

89 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Original titles for the film included "The Wallpaper" and "The Tapestry."

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Goofs

When Martin and David are taking up nets in the boat, Martin puts his pipe in his mouth and then takes the oars and starts to row. In the next shot, the pipe is gone.

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Quotes

[last lines]
Fredrik: Papa spoke to me.

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Connections

Referenced in Pretty Little Liars: Through a Glass, Darkly (2015)

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Soundtracks

Sarabande from Suite No. 2 in D minor for Violoncello
Written by Johann Sebastian Bach

User Reviews

One of Bergman's best works: tragic/poetic/remarkable

The first part of a 'religious' trilogy of films released from 1961-1963, Through the Glass Darkly may be the most accomplished of the three, and has the literary qualities of some of the best authors while still sticking to a character-driven story about mental drought and bewilderment. All four members bring out the heart of Bergman's message, with Andersson playing Karin in true sincerity and passion for the plague of her mind that has brought a cloud over her and her father, husband and younger brother (a woman with three generations of men). Some might digest the speculation on the inter-relationship of god and love with insanity, yet it is undeniably a masterwork by a artist filmmaker. A+