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IMDb > Breaking the Waves (1996)
Breaking the Waves
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Breaking the Waves (1996) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 21 | slideshow) Videos (see all 7)
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) -- CineMagia.ro - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
7.8/10   20,989 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 8% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
Lars von Trier (written by)
Peter Asmussen (co-written by)
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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
NewsDesk:
(33 articles)
Peter Debruge’s Top 10 of 2009
 (From Collider.com. 30 December 2009, 11:08 PM, PST)

Decade in Review: 2004 Top Ten
 (From FilmExperience. 14 December 2009, 6:56 PM, PST)

User Reviews:
Outstanding film of complicated, unsettling ideas more (198 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)
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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 person being buried is called Anthony Dod Mantle. This is a reference to Lars von Trier's favorite cinematographer - Anthony Dod Mantle - who served as a location scout in the movie. 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:
Suzanne more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
21 out of 26 people found the following review useful.
Outstanding film of complicated, unsettling ideas, 7 January 1999
Author: pooch-8 from Fargo, North Dakota

The first time I saw Breaking the Waves, I was astonished that Emily Watson had not acted for the cinema before her turn as Bess McNeill. What she brings to the role of the naive Scottish girl offers a clinic on superlative acting that could humble veterans with ten times the experience. Another thing that makes this film so special is that it never backs away from its vivid and mature examination of love, commitment, and aspects of the metaphysical. I easily class this work as one of the top films of the 1990s. Director Lars von Trier is a true visionary, and the (largely hand-held) cinematography by Robby Muller perfectly defines the tone of the film -- in fact, the theatre where I saw Breaking the Waves posted a disclaimer that warned anyone who suffers from motion or sea-sickness to see the film at their own peril!

Was the above review useful to you?
more (198 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Breaking the Waves (1996)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Panic Attack ilia_davidovich
Why did Bess go back to the boat? (spoilers) codyhoskins
Does this change your viewing enjoyment? bubble_of_fun
Can anybody identify the religion....? chesneym
Lesbian undertone? straitandnarrow
An Absolute Nihilistic Garbage inbar_sh
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