IMDb > Breaking the Waves (1996)
Breaking the Waves
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

Breaking the Waves (1996) More at IMDbPro »

Videos (see all 6)
Breaking the Waves (1996) -- Oilman Jan is paralyzed in an accident. His wife, who prayed for his return, feels guilty; even more, when Jan urges her to have sex with another.
Breaking the Waves (1996) -- kino-zeit.de - Trailer (Flash)

IMDb Holiday Movie Guide

Overview

User Rating:
7.8/10   20,807 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 1% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
Lars von Trier (written by)
Peter Asmussen (co-written by)
more
Contact:
View company contact information for Breaking the Waves on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
13 November 1996 (USA) more
Genre:
Tagline:
Love is a mighty power.
Plot:
Oilman Jan is paralyzed in an accident. His wife, who prayed for his return, feels guilty; even more, when Jan urges her to have sex with another. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
Nominated for Oscar. Another 40 wins & 13 nominations more
User Comments:
Incredible and Powerful Film more (196 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Emily Watson ... Bess McNeill

Stellan Skarsgård ... Jan Nyman

Katrin Cartlidge ... Dodo McNeill
Jean-Marc Barr ... Terry
Adrian Rawlins ... Dr. Richardson
Jonathan Hackett ... Priest
Sandra Voe ... Mother

Udo Kier ... Sadistic Sailor
Mikkel Gaup ... Pits

Roef Ragas ... Pim
Phil McCall ... Grandfather
Robert Robertson ... Chairman
Desmond Reilly ... An Elder
Sarah Gudgeon ... Sybilla
Finlay Welsh ... Coroner (as Finley Welsh)
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
Amor omnie (Denmark) (working title)
Breaking the Waves (France)
more
MPAA:
Rated R for strong graphic sexuality, nudity, language and some violence.
Runtime:
159 min | USA:153 min (director's cut)
Language:
Colour:
Colour (Eastmancolor)
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Filming Locations:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The first film in Lars von Trier's "Golden Heart" trilogy in which the heroines remain naïve despite their actions. The two other parts are Idioterne (1998) and Dancer in the Dark (2000). more
Quotes:
The Minister: I would say to you that if there is one of these commandments you do not love and do not obey, you have no business at the Lord's table. more
Movie Connections:
Soundtrack:
I Did What I Did for Maria more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
45 out of 55 people found the following comment useful.
Incredible and Powerful Film, 15 August 2003
10/10
Author: gbheron from Washington, DC

Initially, this story about the marriage of young Scottish woman and a Scandinavian oil rig worker had my eyes glazing over. I was ready to hit the eject button about 20 minutes into the movie. But I held in there and slowly was drawn in to their lives, their environment, and the ghastly tragedy that confronts them.

Lars von Trier is a very patient storyteller, as well as being an eccentric movie maker. In Breaking the Waves, he slowly, very slowly unfolds his drama. The problem is; you have to pay careful attention, and this can be difficult. Von Trier's style, with its hand-held camera, lack of artificial lighting, grainy photography, and lingering close-ups can try the patience. The movie is also long, clocking in at about 2½ hours. But if you see it through, the final half hour will blow your mind, and you will have seen one of the best (and most emotionally powerful) movies of 1996, maybe even the whole decade.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (196 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Breaking the Waves (1996)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
The Final Shot (SPOILER) moviemker-2
Panic Attack ilia_davidovich
Recommend similar film for research purposes? crushakitty
Why did Bess go back to the boat? (spoilers) codyhoskins
Most overrated films peterrichard30
Can anybody identify the religion....? chesneym
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
El crimen del padre Amaro The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne Edvard Munch Les invasions barbares Turks fruit
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Drama section IMDb Denmark section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.