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IMDbPro

Autumn Sonata

Original title: Höstsonaten
  • 19781978
  • PGPG
  • 1h 39m
IMDb RATING
8.1/10
34K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
9,744
536
Ingrid Bergman and Liv Ullmann in Autumn Sonata (1978)
A devoted wife is visited by her mother, a successful concert pianist who had little time for her when she was young.
Play trailer1:05
1 Video
99+ Photos
DramaMusic
A devoted wife is visited by her mother, a successful concert pianist who had little time for her when she was young.A devoted wife is visited by her mother, a successful concert pianist who had little time for her when she was young.A devoted wife is visited by her mother, a successful concert pianist who had little time for her when she was young.
IMDb RATING
8.1/10
34K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
9,744
536
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Director
      • Ingmar Bergman
    • Writer
      • Ingmar Bergman
    • Stars
      • Ingrid Bergman
      • Liv Ullmann
      • Lena Nyman
    Top credits
    • Director
      • Ingmar Bergman
    • Writer
      • Ingmar Bergman
    • Stars
      • Ingrid Bergman
      • Liv Ullmann
      • Lena Nyman
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 103User reviews
    • 76Critic reviews
    • Nominated for 2 Oscars
      • 10 wins & 10 nominations total

    Videos1

    Teaser Trailer
    Trailer 1:05
    Teaser Trailer

    Photos198

    Ingrid Bergman in Autumn Sonata (1978)
    Ingrid Bergman and Liv Ullmann in Autumn Sonata (1978)
    Ingrid Bergman and Lena Nyman in Autumn Sonata (1978)
    "Autumn Sonata" (aka "Hostonaten") Ingmar Bergman 1975 ITC
    "Autumn Sonata" (aka "Hostonaten") Ingmar Bergman, Igrid Bergman 1975 ITC
    "Autumn Sonata" (aka "Hostonaten") Ingmar Bergman, Liv Ullmann 1975 ITC
    Autumn Sonata (1978)
    Autumn Sonata (1978)
    Autumn Sonata (1978)
    Autumn Sonata (1978)
    Autumn Sonata (1978)
    Autumn Sonata (1978)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Ingrid Bergman
    Ingrid Bergman
    • Charlotte Andergast
    Liv Ullmann
    Liv Ullmann
    • Eva
    Lena Nyman
    Lena Nyman
    • Helena
    Halvar Björk
    Halvar Björk
    • Viktor
    Marianne Aminoff
    Marianne Aminoff
    • Charlotte's private secretary
    Arne Bang-Hansen
    • Uncle Otto
    Gunnar Björnstrand
    Gunnar Björnstrand
    • Paul
    Erland Josephson
    Erland Josephson
    • Josef
    Georg Løkkeberg
    Georg Løkkeberg
    • Leonardo
    Mimi Pollak
    Mimi Pollak
    • Piano instructor
    Linn Ullmann
    • Eva as a child
    Eva von Hanno
    • Nurse
    • (uncredited)
    Knut Wigert
    • Professor
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Ingmar Bergman
    • Writer
      • Ingmar Bergman
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Final theatrical feature film of actress Ingrid Bergman.
    • Goofs
      In the dialogue scene where Charlotte is lying on the floor and Eva is sitting on the sofa behind her, the shadow of the boom mic is visible on the curtains when the camera pans to Eva for a few seconds.
    • Quotes

      Viktor: [reading] One must learn to live. I practice every day. My biggest obstacle is I don't know who I am. I grope blindly. If anyone loves me as I am I may dare at last to look at myself. For me, that possibility is fairly remote.

    • Connections
      Featured in The Making of Autumn Sonata (1978)
    • Soundtracks
      Préludium Nr 2a, a-moll
      Written by Frédéric Chopin (as Chopin)

      Performed by Käbi Laretei

    User reviews103

    Review
    Review
    Top review
    10/10
    Powerful Drama From Ingmar Bergman
    Writer/director Ingmar Bergman examines the strained relationship between a mother and daughter in `Autumn Sonata,' starring Ingrid Bergman and Liv Ullmann. Eva (Ullmann) has not seen her mother, Charlotte (Bergman) in seven years; a successful concert pianist, Charlotte has spent a good portion of her life on the road, but after losing her long-time companion, Leonardo, Eva invites her to come to the parsonage where she and her minister husband, Viktor (Halvar Bjork), live, for an extended visit. Charlotte accepts, but soon after her arrival, old wounds and feelings begin to surface, and the film becomes an intimate character study of the life-long dysfunctional relationship between Charlotte and Eva, during which director Bergman intricately examines the causes and effects of all that has passed between them during their lives. It's an in-depth look at the emotional damage human beings are capable of inflicting upon one another, and how fragile the line between love and hate becomes when subjected to incessant neglect by even one of the parties involved. As the story unfolds and the principals bare their souls-- at last revealing a lifetime's worth of repressed feelings-- it becomes an emotionally devastating experience for the audience, as well, for there is much contained within the dynamics of this situation that most viewers will be able to identify with and relate to within their own lives. Ingmar Bergman is a Master of presenting life as it truly is; reality-- and portraying it on the screen-- is his domain, and throughout his career he has veritably created almost a genre of his own in doing so. With a microscope of his own design, he scrutinizes the basic instincts of the human condition, what makes people tick and how and why they relate to one another as they do. Much of what he presents is startling, and always emotionally involving, because he penetrates so deeply and succinctly into the heart of the matter, as he demonstrates so superlatively with this film. His methods and style are unique, his talent unequivocal; many others have attempted to capture the essence of that which Bergman has perfected, but few have succeeded. Interestingly enough, Liv Ullmann is one who, as a director, has probably come the closest to achieving that classic `sense' of Bergman, with her films `Private Confessions,' and `Faithless,' both of which were written by Bergman. In her role as Eva, Ullmann gives one of the best performances of her career, for which she should have at least been nominated for an Oscar; that she was not is nothing less than a gross injustice. She so skillfully conveys the depth and complexities of her character, and the differing emotional levels to which Eva is subjected, that it creates a lasting impression and makes her someone with whom it is easy for the audience to sympathize. It makes you realize, upon reflection, what a truly gifted actress Ullmann is. And, as good as Ullmann's performance here is, it is equaled-- though not, I would say-- surpassed, by Ingrid Bergman's portrayal (in her final theatrical appearance) of Charlotte; and in a renewal of faith that there is some justice in the world after all, she received an Oscar nomination for Best Actress for it. In retrospect, it seems somehow inevitable that the two Bergmans came together at last, though it's somewhat lamentable that their career paths did not cross sooner. There is some consolation, however, in the fact that when they did finally join forces the result was such a powerful, memorable film. The supporting cast includes Lena Nyman (Helena), Gunnar Bjornstrand (Paul), Erland Josephson (Josef) and Linn Ullmann (Eva as a child). An intelligent, thought provoking and emotionally wrenching film, highlighted by outstanding performances and beautifully photographed by Sven Nykvist, `Autumn Sonata' is an example of filmmaking at it's best; it's a lasting tribute, not only to the immense talents of Ingmar Bergman and Liv Ullmann, but to Ingrid Bergman, one of the most beautiful and gifted actresses ever to grace the silver screen. I rate this one 10/10.
    helpful•89
    13
    • jhclues
    • Feb 27, 2001

    FAQ1

    • What was the sister's illness?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 18, 1978 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • West Germany
      • United Kingdom
    • Languages
      • Swedish
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Herbstsonate
    • Filming locations
      • Jar, Norway
    • Production companies
      • Persona Film
      • Suede Film
      • Incorporated Television Company (ITC)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    • Gross worldwide
      • $14,338
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • Runtime
      1 hour 39 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.66 : 1

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