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Autumn Sonata

Original title: Höstsonaten
  • 19781978
  • PGPG
  • 1h 39m
IMDb RATING
8.1/10
35K
YOUR RATING
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
35K
YOUR RATING
    • Ingmar Bergman
    • Ingmar Bergman
  • Stars
    • Ingrid Bergman
    • Liv Ullmann
    • Lena Nyman
    • Ingmar Bergman
    • Ingmar Bergman
  • Stars
    • Ingrid Bergman
    • Liv Ullmann
    • Lena Nyman
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 104User reviews
    • 77Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 2 Oscars

    Videos1

    Teaser Trailer
    Trailer 1:05
    Watch Teaser Trailer

    Photos199

    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)
      • Ingmar Bergman
      • 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 reviews104

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    10/10
    A Bergman Masterpiece
    Generally, either "Seventh Seal" or "Persona" is the film that a critic will name if s/he is stuck with the task of naming Ingmar Bergman's greatest achievement. A couple others might be named, but rarely do you hear a critic espouse the brilliance of "Autumn Sonata."

    The first thing I noticed about this film is that it is, like "Cries and Whispers," nothing less than a painting. The textures, the warm reds and the close-ups of the faces of wounded souls, all combine to make the viewer realize that s/he is witnessing High Art.

    Then there's the shot of Liv Ullman's wounded profile as she stares at her mother, Ingrid Bergman, while mother shows Liv how the Chopin piece should be played. It is an eloquent scene. Truly heartbreaking and unforgettable. One can feel Liv's pain begin to show itself: it is the painful shame of inadequacy and mediocrity made all the more shameful because it is mother inspiring these feelings in her.

    Later, it's Liv's cruelty toward her mother in that unforgettable late night diatribe.

    And finally, it's Liv's crippled sister and Ingrid's disgust at the thought that not only did mediocrity crawl out of her womb, but so did deformity and suffering.

    The film is bleak (obviously) and the resolution is only slightly hopeful. It is however a masterpiece -- a film that reveals that what the world needs now is not Love, as the song proclaims, but Compassion and Grace. Liv Ullman is the only actress who can say these things without opening her mouth. Ingmar Bergman is the only filmmaker who can make a seemingly banal story into an eloquent prayer for redemption and reconciliation.

    (CAUTION: Dont take mom to see it on mother's day ... unless...)
    helpful•96
    12
    • bdpennington
    • Dec 22, 2000

    FAQ1

    • What was the sister's illness?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 18, 1978 (United States)
      • West Germany
      • United Kingdom
      • Swedish
      • English
    • Also known as
    • 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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    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • 1 hour 39 minutes
      • Color
      • Mono

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