Complete credited cast: | |||
Stellan Skarsgård | ... | Helge Roos | |
Ewa Fröling | ... | Elfrida Roos | |
Erland Josephson | ... | Sigvard Silver | |
Max von Sydow | ... | Vicar | |
Liv Ullmann | ... | Maria Gustavsson | |
Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
Björn Granath | ... | Flyckt | |
Björn Gustafson | ... | Officer in command | |
Lennart Hjulström | ... | Svenning Gustavsson | |
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Helge Jordal | ... | Navvy |
Agneta Prytz | ... | Old Woman | |
Rikard Wolff | ... | Johannes |
In desperation brought on by near-starvation, Helge Roos kills his master's ox and feeds it to his wife and baby daughter. No-one suspects anything until the meat is finished and Helge tries to sell the hide at a local market. He is spotted by the local vicar and, wracked with guilt, confesses. The vicar assures him that if he gives himself up, he'll be treated leniently, but Helge's sentence is far harsher than anyone predicted... Written by Michael Brooke <michael@everyman.demon.co.uk>
This is a sad, but important, film. If you expect a Hollywood ending, look elsewhere. If you want to see beautiful cinematography, great acting and a story that really challenges, look no further.