Winter Light

Winter Light (Nattvardsgasterna) (1963)

Runtime: 81 minutes

Directed by: Ingmar Bergman

Starring: Gunnar Bjornstrand, Ingrid Thulin, Gunnel Lindblom, Max von Sydow, Allan Edwall

From: Svensk Filmindustri

In my first of two reviews posted here today, I discuss yet another Bergman classic: 

“I have to escape this junkyard of idiotic trivialities” is a phrase I need to steal!

Last night felt like the night for classic World Cinema and as each of the six previous Ingmar Bergman movies experienced were at least very good with some receiving the full 5 stars (like The Seventh Seal and Autumn Sonata), going back to this well for the first time in months was a wise decision. Thank heavens there is plenty on the Criterion Channel. A modest drama with only several characters set during one day where a priest in a small rural Swedish church is shown to be having an existential crisis while dealing with both a few parishioners and a woman in love with him—does not sound like something in my wheelhouse but it was a masterful 81 minutes.

The film takes its time as the story is presented and the audience gets to know the characters. Tomas the pastor is struggling with his faith so he earns sympathy there yet some of his words & actions are cruel so it’s a complex character. What misfortune for him that Max von Sydow told him he has fears of nuclear war as he feels that God & His silence has forsaken him.

Winter Light is full of affecting conversations between the characters-along with tremendous acting that expresses emotions without saying a word-and while incredibly stark, was an engrossing watch. What direction from Bergman (a character delivers a monologue straight to the camera for like 5 minutes and in context, was the correct decision) and what cinematography from Sven Nykvist. The cast of Bergman regulars delivered and those familiar w/ the director’s filmography but haven’t tackled Winter Light before—you probably should despite its incredibly downbeat demeanor.