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Poster for The Virgin Spring

The Virgin Spring

Seen it?

1960 | 90 min | Drama, History

Saturday Special

Why it’s a Saturday Special

It earned strong reviews (88% on Rotten Tomatoes), audiences rate it highly (7.8 out of 10) and it won an Oscar, despite soft box office. A strong pick for the weekend.

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

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for history buffs. If you loved The Last Duel, start here.
The mood
Thoughtful and character-driven.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 30 min.
What might put you off
  • It's in Swedish, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
  • Made in 1960: an older pace and style.

Devout Christians Töre and Märeta send their only daughter, the virginal Karin, and their foster daughter, the unrepentant Ingeri, to deliver candles to a distant church. On their way through the woods, the girls encounter a group of savage goat herders who brutally rape and murder Karin as Ingeri remains hidden. When the killers unwittingly seek refuge in the farmhouse of Töre and Märeta, Töre plots a fitting revenge.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsStrong

    88% on Rotten Tomatoes

  • AudiencesStrong

    7.8 out of 10

  • AwardsStrong

    Won 1 Oscar: Best International Feature Film. Also nominated for 1 more Oscar.

  • Box office & staying powerBelow par

    $700K worldwide; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactSolid

    About 86K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Ingmar Bergman

  • Max von SydowTöre
  • Birgitta ValbergMäreta
  • Gunnel LindblomIngeri
  • Birgitta PetterssonKarin
  • Axel DübergThin Herdsman
  • Allan EdwallBeggar
  • Tor IsedalMute Herdsman
  • Ove PorathBoy
  • Axel SlangusBridge Keeper
  • Gudrun BrostFrida