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Poster for The Silence

The Silence

Seen it?

1963 | 95 min | Drama, Romance

Sunday Safe Bet

Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet

It earned strong reviews (85% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had little lasting buzz. A safe bet when you want something reliable.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for romantics. If you loved Atonement or Before Midnight, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood
Warm and romantic.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 35 min.
What might put you off
  • It's in Swedish, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
  • Made in 1963: an older pace and style.

Traveling through an unnamed European country on the brink of war, sickly, intellectual Ester, her sister Anna and Anna's young son, Johan, check into a near-empty hotel. A basic inability to communicate among the three seems only to worsen during their stay. Anna provokes her sister by enjoying a dalliance with a local man, while the boy, left to himself, has a series of enigmatic encounters that heighten the growing air of isolation.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsStrong

    85% on Rotten Tomatoes

  • AudiencesSolid

    7.5 out of 10

  • AwardsBelow par

    3 wins and 0 nominations from smaller awards and festivals

  • Reach & staying powerSolid

    Streaming release that reached a modest audience; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactBelow par

    About 31K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Ingmar Bergman

  • Ingrid ThulinEster
  • Gunnel LindblomAnna
  • Birger MalmstenBartender
  • Håkan JahnbergHotel Steward
  • Jörgen LindströmJohan
  • Kotti ChaveOfficer in the Train Compartment
  • Lissi AlandhWoman in Variety Hall (uncredited)
  • Leif ForstenbergMan in Variety Hall (uncredited)
  • Eskil KallingBar Owner (uncredited)
  • Karl-Arne BergmanPaperboy (uncredited)