I felt a little bit disconnected from this. Like the movie was keeping me at a distance, despite all the closeups. The characters, and events that lead to their current state, seemed under explained. Maybe I was supposed to infer more about things on my own? What's lingering with me is the movie's striking atmosphere of sorrow and regret. That's Bergman doing his thing. But I really feel like I need to revisit this one, as I think it would click with me a little more on a second viewing.

Sophisticated and daring and successfully communicates psychological drama between a dying woman and her two sisters and maid. On the other hand, its instruments seem too blunt, such as the tricolor (black/white/red) symbolism of the sets and wardrobe, the over-reliance on raw portrayal of suffering and guilt, the eventual evolution into a ghost story. Like many of his films, it is part of Bergman's search for accurate self-therapeutic expression, and like most, it is a miss.

Raw and devastating. The death scene, and the scenes directly afterward, are some of the most beautiful, realistic, profound, and as close to perfect as death has been depicted in the cinema. The cinematography was so good I could punch a kitten. In the face. Its beauty is so transcendent it enters the realm of the finest impressionist painters - and elevates the film to timelessness.

This has some of Bergman's darkest moments I think. Moments of just terrible suffering seem to cover the entire film, but there are a few parts where it is just so tender and touching. These affectionate scenes in such a harrowing movie make this a masterpiece. Also, I can't forget to mention the totally godly cinematography!

Beautiful beautiful beautiful. The character of Karin strikes a chord with me. Ingrid Thulin is a PERFECT actress. And Sven Nykvist a perfect cinematographer. On second and third viewings I can see that maybe it IS a bit too much (even the priest's speech is world-weary and Bergman-esque!)

In just 88 minutes Bergman manages to tell a more complex and heartfelt drama, than any of his peers does in several movies. The Movie balances style and context perfectly even, creating both a stylized (almost Ghost House-like) feel to the set while letting the characters have a true believable complexity, that elevates their interaction to true human emotion, rather than letting them represent different stereotypes.

Christ, Bergman. Just totally bleak as hell. Ullmann is amazing as usual, but the rest of the cast are her equals. The red colour scheme is beautiful.

Oh wow, it's so RED. Plus, genital mutilation, a slight return to realism, and intense intimacy. One thing that isn't regularly commented on, I think, is the maid, whose devotion to Harriet Andersson is lovely if surreally presented. I actually feel the most sorry for her out of the entire cast.

A masterpiece in the best meaning of the word.

This film, like the color red, is provocative. It's deep, not for everyone, lustful and carnal. It's imperfections make it perfect. It's everything a film should be. (It helps that red is my favorite color.)

I couldn't mention anything bad about this movie except for it being too short. This movie is so intense even compared to other Bergman movies. Completely mindblowing acting, Nykvist's extraordinary camera work and Bergman's sense of dramaturgy are the ingredients of this masterpiece. Briefly spoken, disturbingly brillant. 10/12/09

It's like taking a mallet to the stomach. This was the first colour Bergman I saw, so at the time I was thinking "Man, I dunno if the colour Bergmans will be as beautiful as the black and white ones" but I think I actually prefer Sven Nykvist's colour cinematography. That's probably a greatly sacrilegious thing to say. Also, if there was a contest for "most grievous genital mutilation" this might even edge out Antichrist to the #1 position.

162

Gut-wrenching, raw and beautifully performed. It is incredible that in a film bearly 90 minutes long Bergman manages to produce such a complex and multi-layered perspective of grief and dark inner demons. If your really willing to give yourself over to this movie, it becomes a deeply unsettling and moving experience, that you'll be brave to revisit!

Certainly contains a lot of cries and whispers. Very striking visuals and performances, combined with some excellent and often unnerving scenes, made it quite interesting viewing even if I feel like I'll need to watch it again to fully 'get' it. Intense. Also, I've never been too fond of Ebert, but his review of this one is really good and has already helped me appreciate the film more. Looking forward to a rewatch some time in the future.