Smultronstället (1957)

Director:

Ingmar Bergman

Writer:

Ingmar Bergman (written by)

Release Date:

22 June 1959 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

After living a life marked by coldness, an aging professor is forced to confront the emptiness of his existence.

Plot Keywords:

Life Choice | Meaning Of Life | Nostalgia | Rainstorm | Hitchhiker

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 11 wins & 2 nominations

Cast

Victor Sjöström	...	Dr. Isak Borg
Bibi Andersson	...	Sara
Ingrid Thulin	...	Marianne Borg
Gunnar Björnstrand	...	Dr. Evald Borg
Jullan Kindahl	...	Agda
Folke Sundquist	...	Anders
Björn Bjelfvenstam	...	Viktor
Naima Wifstrand	...	Mrs. Borg, Isak's Mother
Gunnel Broström	...	Mrs. Alman
Gertrud Fridh	...	Karin Borg, Isak's wife
Sif Ruud	...	Aunt Olga
Gunnar Sjöberg	...	Sten Alman / The Examiner
Max von Sydow	...	Henrik Åkerman
Åke Fridell	...	Karin's lover
Yngve Nordwall	...	Uncle Aron

Also Known As:

Wild Strawberries (UK) (USA)

Runtime:

91 min

Country:

Sweden

Language:

Swedish | Latin

Colour:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Canada:PA (Ontario) | South Korea:15 (2002) | Finland:K-16 | Netherlands:12 (video rating) | Sweden:15 | UK:15 | USA:Unrated | West Germany:16 | Argentina:16 | UK:A (original rating) | Iceland:Unrated

Filming Locations:

Dalarö, Stockholms län, Sweden

Company:

Svensk Filmindustri (SF)

Trivia:

Ingmar Bergman wrote the script while he was in hospital.

Goofs:

Continuity: The front license plate on the VW disappears when untying the rope.

Quotes:

Professor Isak Borg: If I have been feeling worried or sad during the day, I have a habit of recalling scenes from childhood to calm me. So it was this evening.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "The A-Team: Curtain Call (#2.23)" (1984)

Soundtrack:

MARCIA CAROLUS REX

Meaning of the Title

The sweet things in life, the loves and honors, grow wild and uncontrollable. Often the basket gets spilled before they reach us. But in the end, enough of them do reach our lips to make it all worthwhile. The film is a journey from Borg's bitterness about the "strawberries" in his life that have been spilled, stolen, or otherwise lost to acceptance and appreciation of those he has received. There are no earthshaking discoveries or revelations for Borg. Nothing much changes, except for Borg's own awareness. All of the change is in terms of a subtle shift in perspective and understanding. But that change is enough to transform his life from the nightmare at the start of the movie to the sweet dream at the end.