{"id":94778,"date":"2024-01-10T13:24:23","date_gmt":"2024-01-10T20:24:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=94778"},"modified":"2024-06-14T23:30:19","modified_gmt":"2024-06-15T06:30:19","slug":"winter-light-1963","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=94778","title":{"rendered":"Winter Light (1963)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>&#8220;God, why have you forsaken me?&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Winter-Light-Poster.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Winter-Light-Poster-201x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"201\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-94788\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Winter-Light-Poster-201x300.png 201w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Winter-Light-Poster-86x128.png 86w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Winter-Light-Poster-181x270.png 181w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Winter-Light-Poster.png 625w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 201px) 100vw, 201px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Synopsis:<\/strong><br \/>\nA widowed minister (Gunnar Bj\u00f6rnstrand) struggles with his faith while navigating his relationship with a doting parishioner (Ingrid Thulin) and meeting with the pregnant wife (Gunnel Lindblom) of a suicidal father (Max von Sydow).\n<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>\n<strong>Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Christianity<\/li>\n<li>Ingmar Bergman Films<\/li>\n<li>Max von Sydow Films<\/li>\n<li>Priests and Ministers<\/li>\n<li>Scandinavian Films<\/li>\n<li>Widows and Widowers<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Review: <\/strong><br \/>\nThis second film &#8212; following <a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=87951\"><em>Through a Glass Darkly<\/em> (1961)<\/a> &#8212; in Ingmar Bergman&#8217;s informal trilogy about the life-saving importance of communication and love was one of his personal favorites, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tcm.com\/tcmdb\/title\/95995\/winter-light#articles-reviews?articleId=659839\">carefully constructed &#8212; with crucial assistance from his DP, Sven Nykvist &#8212; with a particular vision in mind<\/a>. However, its unrelenting bleakness makes it a challenging viewing experience, as we watch a seemingly rigid and cold man of faith (Bj\u00f6rnstrand) failing to support a parishioner in need: <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Winter-Light-Bjornstand-von-Sydow.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Winter-Light-Bjornstand-von-Sydow.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"592\" height=\"448\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-94784\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Winter-Light-Bjornstand-von-Sydow.png 592w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Winter-Light-Bjornstand-von-Sydow-300x227.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Winter-Light-Bjornstand-von-Sydow-128x97.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Winter-Light-Bjornstand-von-Sydow-357x270.png 357w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 592px) 100vw, 592px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#8230; while cruelly mistreating the woman (Thulin) who is devoting her life to him. <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Winter-Light-Thulin.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Winter-Light-Thulin.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"592\" height=\"448\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-94785\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Winter-Light-Thulin.png 592w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Winter-Light-Thulin-300x227.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Winter-Light-Thulin-128x97.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Winter-Light-Thulin-357x270.png 357w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 592px) 100vw, 592px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The story opens and closes on his nearly-empty church services: <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Winter-Light-Church.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Winter-Light-Church.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"592\" height=\"448\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-94790\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Winter-Light-Church.png 592w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Winter-Light-Church-300x227.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Winter-Light-Church-128x97.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Winter-Light-Church-357x270.png 357w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 592px) 100vw, 592px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#8230; and otherwise takes place in a bitterly gray, wintry landscape. <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/vlcsnap-2024-01-10-11h57m08s870.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/vlcsnap-2024-01-10-11h57m08s870.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"592\" height=\"448\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-94791\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/vlcsnap-2024-01-10-11h57m08s870.png 592w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/vlcsnap-2024-01-10-11h57m08s870-300x227.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/vlcsnap-2024-01-10-11h57m08s870-128x97.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/vlcsnap-2024-01-10-11h57m08s870-357x270.png 357w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 592px) 100vw, 592px\" \/><\/a> <\/p>\n<p>With that said, the performances &#8212; particularly by Bj\u00f6rnstrand in the crucial central role &#8212; are committed and convincing, making this a rewarding viewing experience for Bergman fans who can otherwise stomach its dreariness. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Notable Performances, Qualities, and Moments:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Gunnar Bj\u00f6rnstrand as Tomas Ericsson<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Winter-Light-Bjornstrand.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Winter-Light-Bjornstrand.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"592\" height=\"448\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-94781\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Winter-Light-Bjornstrand.png 592w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Winter-Light-Bjornstrand-300x227.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Winter-Light-Bjornstrand-128x97.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Winter-Light-Bjornstrand-357x270.png 357w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 592px) 100vw, 592px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Sven Nykvist&#8217;s cinematography<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Winter-Light-Cinematography.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Winter-Light-Cinematography.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"592\" height=\"448\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-94782\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Winter-Light-Cinematography.png 592w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Winter-Light-Cinematography-300x227.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Winter-Light-Cinematography-128x97.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Winter-Light-Cinematography-357x270.png 357w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 592px) 100vw, 592px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Winter-Light-Mother-Kids.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Winter-Light-Mother-Kids.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"592\" height=\"448\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-94786\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Winter-Light-Mother-Kids.png 592w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Winter-Light-Mother-Kids-300x227.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Winter-Light-Mother-Kids-128x97.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Winter-Light-Mother-Kids-357x270.png 357w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 592px) 100vw, 592px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Must See? <\/strong><br \/>\nNo, unless you&#8217;re a Bergman completist. <\/p>\n<p> (<span style=\"color:red;font-weight:bold;\">Listed in <a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-static\/1001Movies.htm\"><em>1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die<\/em><\/a><\/span>) <\/p>\n<p><strong>Links: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0057358\/\">IMDb entry<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tcm.com\/tcmdb\/title\/95995\/winter-light#articles-reviews?articleId=659839\">TCM Article<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/1963\/05\/14\/archives\/screen-winter-light-by-bergmantale-of-country-pastor-challenges.html\">NY Times Original Review<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;God, why have you forsaken me?&#8221; Synopsis: A widowed minister (Gunnar Bj\u00f6rnstrand) struggles with his faith while navigating his relationship with a doting parishioner (Ingrid Thulin) and meeting with the pregnant wife (Gunnel Lindblom) of a suicidal father (Max von Sydow). Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors: Christianity Ingmar Bergman Films Max von Sydow Films Priests and Ministers Scandinavian Films Widows and Widowers Review: This second film &#8212; following Through a Glass Darkly (1961) &#8212; in Ingmar Bergman&#8217;s informal trilogy about&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"><a class=\"btn btn-default\" href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=94778\"> Read More<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">  Read More<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-94778","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-reviews"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/94778","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=94778"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/94778\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":97827,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/94778\/revisions\/97827"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=94778"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=94778"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=94778"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}