Through a Glass Darkly (1961)

Cast

Max von Sydow
as Martin

Get more information about Through a Glass Darkly (1961) on IMDb

Genres & Description

Drama

8.1 / 10

A young woman, Karin, has recently returned to the family island after spending some time in a mental hospital. On the island with her is her lonely brother and kind, but increasingly desperate husband ('Max von Sydow'). They are joined by Karin's father ('Gunnar Björnstrand'), who is a world-traveling author that is estranged to his children. The film depicts how Karin's grip on reality slowly slips away and how the bonds between the family members are changing in light of this fact.

Similar Movies

Butterfly Caught

4.7

(2017)

The Left Hand of God

6.5

(1955)

Fanny and Alexander

8.1

(1982)

Model Shop

6.6

(1969)

Comments on this trailer
Comments may include spoiler!

Davi Moreira

First Bergman i ever watched i got so exicted when the movie ended, it was like a punch. I couldn't sleep that night - @Sunday, October 29, 2017 5:29 AM

Juan Vargas

Through a Glass Darkly / Swedish: Såsom i en spegel (As in a Mirror), dir. Ingmar Bergman. Harriet Andersson, Lars Passgård, Gunnar Björnstrand. A schizophrenic Karin affects her family drastically. Karin reads David’s Diary. He is callously recording Karin’s fatal decline from her incurable disease. Her younger brother confides in her that he is sexually frustrated. On a ship, Minus and Karen have sex. A helicopter ambulance comes for Karin to take her away. Karin is choosing to leave. She states, however that she is waiting for God to appear through the wallpaper of the attic. She has a vision that God appeared to her as a spider ad tried to penetrate her. Distraught Minus explains to his father, that he was in an alternate reality, thereby distancing himself from any personal responsibility. Bergman depicts a family in inextricable sorrow-filled dysfunction, recalling Tolstoy’s quote from Anna Karenina, “All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.” Each member of the films family (not counting Karin) adopts their own convenient “truth” to mask their unhappiness. Karin is judged mad, yet she seems the most rational. She flees this band of ne’re-do-wells preferring a sanitarium. In 1 Corinthians 13:12 (King James Bible) the following verse alludes to seeing God: “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.” An intriguing, thought provoking film. –Juan Vargas. NR Arthouse, psychological drama, spirituality, the fantastic. Sweden. Berlin IFF: OCIC Award. AA: Best Foreign Language Film. - @Wednesday, March 8, 2017 3:16 AM

andeace23

this film still haunts me. Its unforgettable - @Thursday, September 17, 2015 4:55 AM

hornymaneee

I like how they're announcing each actor as if people heard of them - @Friday, March 20, 2015 4:06 AM

jade foster

I have got the translated version of the book I have just started reading it and I'm enjoying it already - @Sunday, May 18, 2014 7:22 AM

Scott Lord

Dear Simon, I have followed you on and off for nearly a decade. This is to let you know that this trailer was included in the material for my first class in Scandinavian Film, which I am taking on line from the University of Copenhagen. Thanks for continuing. - @Tuesday, March 4, 2014 4:41 AM

GoErikGo1

STORY by Robert Mckee brought me here. It looks amazing! - @Thursday, June 20, 2013 7:23 AM

purpleshamrock17

Why is it always women who have the nervous breakdowns/crushing mental disorders? Especially during this era like "What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?" The only movie I can think of where a man's mental illness takes over is "Psycho". Still, this movie looks very good and haunting. - @Sunday, February 17, 2013 3:47 AM

Dananayi Muwanigwa

cant wait to c it, after watching e seventh seal im sure this will b a treat!! - @Tuesday, September 4, 2012 10:18 AM

shezz150

She suffers from delusional schizophrenia, says Robert McKee. - @Friday, August 10, 2012 8:23 AM

Bluzme

I always thought it was psychosis why do people always think of schizophrenia when they think of mental disorders ? I don't get that, anyway she's a psychopath and that's that - @Sunday, July 1, 2012 1:18 AM

levadaable

sigh... family matters... - @Sunday, December 11, 2011 5:42 PM

meliss bru

@poitrenaud Your comment is arrogant and ego driven. like a pompous intellect who believes they know what others dont. you are the most narcissistic person commenting on this film. Check yourself. everything you said is hypocrytical. you also say birgman is a joke- in the same breath you say he knew what he was doing &was right.. your abrasive so called god fearing insults are why most people with thought stay away from what you are associated with. - @Saturday, December 10, 2011 3:55 AM

John27346

@poitrenaud The story in this film is fairly straight forward. How can you not understand what's going on? She, has schizophrenia. It can even be assumed that the spider she sees is the shadow of the helicopter. - @Saturday, May 7, 2011 7:46 PM

Janosik

@poitrenaud There are also people like me who are peasants, who believe in God, who are liberal and who think Bergman is the greatest film maker of all times. But I admit I'm called an intellectual from time to time. Maybe you just have to grow a bit older to discover his films for yourself. - @Sunday, April 17, 2011 12:43 PM

Paul Anthony

Piece of garbage movie-Of course Only INTELLECTS can understand this MASTERPIECE! I am but the foolish, feeble-minded French Peasant, who believes in God, and I don't believe in psychiatry, liberalism, intellectualism and make believe nonsense like Bergman- NONE of his films made any sense. And that is the joke! He knew it, too, And was experimenting on the Human Race and discovered that he was correct! That the Human is so egoist and narcissistic, that we buy anything to make us look SMART! - @Monday, April 11, 2011 4:52 PM

Woods Wu

Love and hate the original and as human beings are living in a difficult position I was unexpected! wonder is the love that people come into trouble or make love hate demise? - @Thursday, June 24, 2010 11:14 AM

Zach G

What does this have to do with any god or gods at all? ..... - @Saturday, December 5, 2009 9:29 PM

BECINE93

God didn't create a perfect utopian society, where all individuals live within pscyhological, emotional and physical peace and harmony. Human beings live in such pain because we're essentially human beings. We're capable of taking such pain because we are strong willed, and possess the internal strength to do so-and carry on. I believe in an internal God or a ideal "greater good" that everyone possesses. Love makes people feel fullfillingness not suffering. - @Friday, December 4, 2009 5:47 AM

cactaceous

Films in general were so much better back then. This is proof. - @Monday, October 26, 2009 11:22 AM

Zeitgeist6

Depressing movie but very good. - @Tuesday, September 15, 2009 4:30 PM

alex bade

just saw it. well ... as always, so deep ... - @Tuesday, June 2, 2009 6:06 PM