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Winter Light Reviews

1962

70
from 1549 members

The second film of Ingmar Bergman's trilogy on religion and the loss of faith--the other two being THROUGH A GLASS DARKLY and THE SILENCE)--is an unrelentingly austere minimalist drama that takes place in a small village surrounded by a bleak, wintry landscape. Local pastor Tomas Ericsson (Gunnar Bjornstrand) has been left cold .. Read more

Starring	Max von Sydow, Ingrid Thulin, Gunnel Lindblom, Gunnar Bjrnstrand
Director	Ingmar Bergman, Ingmar Bergman
Genres	Drama, World Cinema

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Critic's review of Winter Light
View all critics' reviews (2)
- In a sense almost parody Bergman; in another, one of his clearest statements of despair. The middle section of a pessimistic trilogy which also included Through a Glass Darkly and The Silence.
- 31236
- - Halliwell's Film Guide
  - 02 Mar 2006 at 15:42
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Most helpful member's review of Winter Light
View all members' reviews (17)
- - 14
  - 1
  Dark, Dark, Dark....
  
  It takes a certain sort of genius to sustain a film as unremittingly bleak as this, but be sure Bergman's the man to do it. In a community caught in the &#... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 335096
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  
  [Highly rated reviewer]
  - FrankIV
  - 393 reviews
  - Cirencester, England
  - 18 May 2005 at 16:51
Most recent members' reviews of Winter Light
View all members' reviews (17)
- - 0
  - 0
  Dark night, bright light
  
  As a complete fan of Bergman, it is always a pleasure to reach back into his earlier work and find another gem - as this one is. It is a close working of the ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1093416
- - Stephen
  - North Cornelly, South Wales
  - 17 Feb 2012 at 11:05
- - 0
  - 0
  Gloomy but beautiful
  
  This film was beautifully shot in black and white. It was atmospheric and portrayed the hopelessness of relationships, which is typical of Ingmar Bergman's ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 765499
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - Kayonly
  - 27 reviews
  - London
  - 02 Jun 2009 at 20:14
- - 0
  - 0
  Stunning
  
  This film along with 'Scenes from a Marriage' and 'Autumn Sonata' is my favourite Bergman film so far (I've seen about 25 of his films). ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 695033
- - a customer
  - Belfast, N.Ireland
  - 25 Jan 2009 at 19:35
- - 2
  - 1
  First Date Film - Not!
  
  Only Catholic fans of Bergman or Beckett will watch this to the end. It brought back memories of a less than successful first date - tickets to see '... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 548436
- - Clicknick
  - 28 reviews
  - Henley-on-Thames
  - 02 Apr 2008 at 21:54
- - 1
  - 1
  A frozen teabag in a fjord.
  
  Stunningly dull! I'd heard that he was an austere guy and was prepared.. but with a lengthy starter of anvil-faced people repeatedly puttering through the ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 480590
- - Maximilian Heard
  - Ponyworld
  - 28 Sep 2007 at 20:58
- - 1
  - 1
  That's usin' your head kid. All right, snap it up.
  
  Cagney excelled himself in his gangster roles and here, aged fifty, he's on top form in one of his most memorable roles ever as the incendiary, unmerciful ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 403539
- - ChesterDent
  - 121 reviews
  - London
  - 18 Jan 2007 at 15:25
- - 0
  - 4
  winterlight
  
  Very depressing. Had to eject halfway through. Film noir but must be in the mood (happy, which I was not at the time).
  
  Only for Bergman fans.
  
  Report this review
- 249084
- - a customer
  - surrey, england
  - 27 May 2006 at 21:43
- - 0
  - 0
  Is it a masterpiece of just a bit dull? Or both?
  
  A priest battles with doubt and gradually loses his faith in God, but eventually decides that the most important thing is to do what seems right despite doubt... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 361152
- - Yola1
  - London
  - 08 Mar 2006 at 10:28
- - 1
  - 3
  Parody Bergman
  
  Halliwells' Film Guide says of Winter Light that it is 'in a sense almost parody Bergman' and that just about sums it up. For those new to Bergman... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 169690
- - Paul Thompson
  - King's Lynn, Norfolk
  - 03 Nov 2005 at 18:33
- - 3
  - 0
  A Real Find! - Unique
  
  What can I say?
  
  Bergman paints a picture of pure clarity and realism of thought, in this story of the religious struggle of a priest and his ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 120150
- - a customer
  - Notts, England
  - 02 Jul 2005 at 21:45
View all members' reviews (17)

- - 14
  - 1
  Dark, Dark, Dark....
  
  It takes a certain sort of genius to sustain a film as unremittingly bleak as this, but be sure Bergman's the man to do it. In a community caught in the &#... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 335096
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  
  [Highly rated reviewer]
  - FrankIV
  - 393 reviews
  - Cirencester, England
  - 18 May 2005 at 16:51
- - 4
  - 0
  Bleak
  
  The plot is bleak, the acting unsurpassable and cinematography beautiful and studied, the direction, as always with Bergman, intelligent. A priest in denial, ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 6169
- - a customer
  - Cambridge
  - 20 May 2004 at 16:52
- - 3
  - 0
  A Real Find! - Unique
  
  What can I say?
  
  Bergman paints a picture of pure clarity and realism of thought, in this story of the religious struggle of a priest and his ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 120150
- - a customer
  - Notts, England
  - 02 Jul 2005 at 21:45
- - 2
  - 1
  First Date Film - Not!
  
  Only Catholic fans of Bergman or Beckett will watch this to the end. It brought back memories of a less than successful first date - tickets to see '... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 548436
- - Clicknick
  - 28 reviews
  - Henley-on-Thames
  - 02 Apr 2008 at 21:54
- - 1
  - 1
  A 'minor' Bergman film!
  
  This is a very impressive film, but is flawed. It is still superb though. You do not usually hear about this title in the great films of Bergman, so this is a... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 307946
- - Kinomachen
  - Surrey
  - 19 Aug 2004 at 18:37
- - 0
  - 0
  Beautiful
  
  The photography alone makes this film worth watching, both beautiful in itself and entirely at the service of the film, and the subject matter touches mind and ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 319330
- - Frankie4
  - surrey
  - 18 Jan 2005 at 15:24
- - 0
  - 0
  Is it a masterpiece of just a bit dull? Or both?
  
  A priest battles with doubt and gradually loses his faith in God, but eventually decides that the most important thing is to do what seems right despite doubt... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 361152
- - Yola1
  - London
  - 08 Mar 2006 at 10:28
- - 1
  - 1
  That's usin' your head kid. All right, snap it up.
  
  Cagney excelled himself in his gangster roles and here, aged fifty, he's on top form in one of his most memorable roles ever as the incendiary, unmerciful ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 403539
- - ChesterDent
  - 121 reviews
  - London
  - 18 Jan 2007 at 15:25
- - 1
  - 1
  A frozen teabag in a fjord.
  
  Stunningly dull! I'd heard that he was an austere guy and was prepared.. but with a lengthy starter of anvil-faced people repeatedly puttering through the ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 480590
- - Maximilian Heard
  - Ponyworld
  - 28 Sep 2007 at 20:58
- - 0
  - 0
  Stunning
  
  This film along with 'Scenes from a Marriage' and 'Autumn Sonata' is my favourite Bergman film so far (I've seen about 25 of his films). ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 695033
- - a customer
  - Belfast, N.Ireland
  - 25 Jan 2009 at 19:35

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Buy from Amazon.co.uk

- - Buy
- Winter Light
  
  The second film of Ingmar Bergman's trilogy on religion and the loss of faith--the other two being THROUGH A GLASS DARKLY and THE SILENCE)--is an unrelentingly austere minimalist drama that takes place in a small village surrounded by a bleak, wintry landscape. Local pastor Tomas Ericsson (Gunnar ...