My father showed me Jungfrukällan in 1969. I was six years old, and public television in San Francisco showed a foreign film every Friday evening. Far from traumatising me, this film showed me that innocence and violence co-exist in this flawed world of ours. To this day, it is one of my top three favorite Bergman films.
Oh, but I thought about something. The lashing with the birch branches is not self punishment. It's to cleanse yourself. The lashing opens up the pores in the sauna so you sweat out the grime. The birch also release a very fresh smell. So, it is ritualistic and symbolic for sure but it is done in an attempt to prepare himself and enforce disiplin I guess. Like going into the situation as a different man. It shows that he is not acting with haste. He has decided to do what he is going to do and he is not taking it lightly.
This is exactly what I was about to comment. Here's what I found on Wikipedia: "In Scandinavia, Baltics, Russia and Finland there is a tradition to strike one's own body with soaked birch twigs in the sauna or banya, as a form of massage and to increase blood circulation and open the pores. The twigs are chosen carefully and do not have their leaves removed, and are often softened by keeping them in hot water prior to use. Being struck by the twigs induces a pleasant stinging sensation but very little actual pain."
I just found out yesterday that this movie is based on a medieval text which is set in the area I live. This "Virgin Spring" actually exists and I live just 1km away from it. So guess i'll have to see the movie now!
I would also recommend this film to all horror and Wes Craven's fans. His infamous debiut - The Last House On The Left is based on Bergman's Virgin Spring.
Great review. It's so refreshing to see someone with the insight and dedication to reviewing these more obscure works! I agree that Virgin Spring is a good introduction to Bergman's films. It's a good starter with most of the essential Bergman elements that seem to recur throughout the canon. Looking forward to watching more of these reviews. Keep up the good work!
I think this is one of my favorite Bergman films and I'm not sure exactly why. I think it's because Bergman makes a film that touches on so many existential human themes with using so few resources: 11 actors. 2-3 sets and some space outdoors. A special effect that can be done with a common garden hose. It goes to show that having a large budget doesn't necessarily translate into the quality of the film and its storytelling.
For reference : The Virgin spring stems from a written ballad from the 13-th Century called " Herr Töres' döttrar" (Master Töres Daughters) The same theme also found in danish, faroe, icelandic och Norwegian traditions. A time when christianity made its way and coexist with the old world of the Vikings plurality of gods and protectors.
I was curious what you had to say about "Virgin Spring" but I saw the air quotes in the thumbnail preview and it was so incredibly annoying that I couldn't watch and had to post this. Thanks thumbnail preview!
Currently a resident and student in Bergman's hometown. Sadly there's just a street named after him and the locals (which includes most students) aren't too enchanted (that's putting it mildly) by his films. Pity. One would assume his films would be shown at various film festivals but to my knowledge no such thing occurs. There's some small consolation David Fincher shot some scenes for "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" here. As usual. A great review. Deepfocuslens always inspires me to watch more films. Listen and learn. :)
Awesome review 😊 It's definitely one of favourite film of all time and "fun fact it's Ang Lee's favourite film" I wanna ask you what's your opinion on "I spit on your grave" and "The last house on the left" they basically took "The virgin spring" and made it into real Raped and Revenge
Wow, what an incredible, sophisticated analysis of a powerful film whose inexorable events culminate at a miracle of such (as you so perceptively emphasize) quiet purity. One can only stand back as it flows forth.
Yes "terrible things happen at the hands of men" but she also had a father, who when he had proof foul play had happened to his daughter, didn't hesitate, even gave those swine a fighting chance by waking them. He wanted them awake so they would experience the same terror she had. In the end he doesn't understand why this has happened, but pledges to build a church right on that spot with his own two hands, his religious training tells him the only way for her death to have meaning is if it in some way serves God.
The Virging Spring is plotted from a medieval ballad, which means that the moral depicted in the movie is shame and honor culture -- from a time when the individuals and their families were supposed to administer their own justice, and not the society at large.
I saw the movie Life today. I spent a large part of the film covering my eyes...I have concluded that I am a horror movie wimp. Lets hope I can watch Alien: Covenant with my eyes open next!Back to Life, it was a good film. Though I found the alien life form miraculously having magic space powers...It was derivative of course. But I expected this.
About 32 years ago it was for sale cheap at a Box Office video store, it had ENGLISH SUBTITLES! Of course I bought it not knowing the quality of the movie and never regretting it either.
Another film to add to the list. I'd like to hear your opinion on Doubt and A Single Man, if you've not already reviewed them. I've watched both recently for the first time, and i adore both.
I really enjoyed the film. Fairly predictable though. and I didn't buy that the parents would allow two vulnerable women travel through the woods alone. It took me out of the film. Other than that I enjoyed it and think it's bergmans best film.
If there is a God he or she deserves our total honesty. In tragedies where there are survivors and deaths we often see in the media interviews with the lucky, some variation of thanks to God. In other words "I'm damn sure glad God didn't poop on me like he did on some of those others."
I would not recommend this film as the Bergman film to start with. In fact, watching this, Shame, Autumn sonata, Seventh seal and Persona as my first Bergman films gave me the impression that Bergman only made depressing films. As I watched more of his films I found much more heart and compassion. Thirst, Wild Strawberries, Sawdust & Tinsel, Fanny & Alexander and Brink of Life all have their share of darkness but they also have bright, heartfelt and hopeful messages. If those had been my first Bergman films I would have been less hesitant to explore more of his films. As it happened I often chose to watch something else because I imagined that every Berman film would be hard to digest.
Hi, I'm from Sweden so Bergman runs in my blood 😉. This is a very good review! Thank you very much. It's a great movie. About good and evil and about God's silence and absence.
I just watched it... and i loved it too.. But Persona and Hour of the Wolf my top two favorite.. Could you do a review of Hour of the wolf i just want to know your thoughts about it..
this is just a wonderful film. like every Bergman film--something he does so brilliantly--I totally identify with every single one of the main characters, understand their motivations and the reason for their actions. Its easy to put yourself in multiple characters' places at the same time. I so completely get lost and forget I'm watching a movie.
Omg maggie we are twins i saw the virigin spring 2 years ago and found it shocking and powerful. It is one of my fav Bergman films ive also seen The Seventh Seal. I want to see Persona next
I might have to rephrase it. The correct way to pronounce Bergman is: Ber (as in bear) the G in Berg is pronounced by saying the Y (as a consonant) while pushing your tongue against your palette. Man is pronounced like "mun" (as in "mundane")
