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From the Life of the Marionettes (1980)

Aus dem Leben der Marionetten (original title)
R | | Drama | TV Movie 30 June 1981
From the Life of the Marionettes Poster
An account of the events before and after a murder committed by Peter Egermann, a disturbed businessman in a strained marriage, and what led Peter to perform such a shocking act.

Director:

Ingmar Bergman

Writer:

Ingmar Bergman

Stars:

Robert Atzorn, Christine Buchegger, Martin Benrath | See full cast & crew »
Reviews
Popularity
4,602 ( 1,687)

On Disc

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1 win. See more awards »

Photos

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Cast

Credited cast:
Robert Atzorn ... Peter Egermann
Christine Buchegger ... Katarina Egermann
Martin Benrath ... Professor Mogens Jensen
Rita Russek Rita Russek ... Katarina Krafft
Lola Müthel ... Cordelia Egermann
Walter Schmidinger Walter Schmidinger ... Tim Mandelbaum
Heinz Bennent ... Arthur Brenner
Ruth Olafs Ruth Olafs ... Nurse
Karl-Heinz Pelser Karl-Heinz Pelser ... The Interrogator
Gaby Dohm Gaby Dohm ... Frau Anders - Secretary
Toni Berger ... The Guard
Erwin Faber Erwin Faber ... The Servant
Heino Hallhuber Heino Hallhuber ... The Choreographer
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Doris Jensen Doris Jensen ... The Assistant in the fasion show
See full cast »
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Storyline

Made during Bergman's tax-related exile in Germany, the film continues the story of Katarina and Peter EGermann, the feuding, childless, professional couple who appear in one episode of "Scenes From A Marriage." After Peter perpetrates a horrendous crime in its first scene, the rest of the film consists of a non-linear examination of his motivations, incorporating a police psychological investigation, scenes from the EGermanns' married life, and dream sequences. Written by Owen F. Lipsett <olipset1@swarthmore.edu>

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

male frontal nudity | male nudity | dream | death | epilogue | See All (29) »

Taglines:

The Woman He's About to Touch is a Dream. The Murder He's About to Commit is Not.

Genres:

Drama

Certificate:

R | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

Add content advisory for parents »
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Details

Country:

West Germany | Sweden

Language:

German

Release Date:

30 June 1981 (USA) See more »

Also Known As:

From the Life of the Marionettes See more »

Filming Locations:

Germany See more »

Company Credits

Production Co:

Bavaria Film,Incorporated Television Company (ITC),Personafilm See more »
Show more on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)| Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1
See full technical specs »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Inspired by the film project "Love with No Lovers" Bergman tried to realize for many years. With the story of Peter and Katarina in the center, it instead became a piece of television drama. See more »

Quotes

Peter Egermann: I must stay calm, not fearful. Controlled, not unpredictable. All went wrong.
See more »

Connections

Spun-off from Scenes from a Marriage (1973) See more »

Soundtracks

Touch Me, Take Me
Performed by Rita Wright
See more »

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User Reviews

 
Excellent screenwriter-filmaker... MR. BERGMAN
2 January 2002 | by erick_castaway – See all my reviews

The best thing about this movie, is not only it's photography, nor it's characters. It's the best story telling ever, using the flash forward - flash back resource it keeps your mind trying to put together this extraordinary puzzle. Bergman did this before Tarantino's Pulp Fiction. And keeps it in an intimate level, wanders in the dark pits of human sexuality and feelings. So... watch the film with open mind.
11 of 20 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you? | Report this
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