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Winter Light

Winter Light

1963
Drama
1h 21m
On a cold winter's Sunday, the pastor of a small rural church (Tomas Ericsson) performs service for a tiny congregation; though he is suffering from a cold and a severe crisis of faith (imdb)
Your probable score
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Winter Light

1963
Drama
1h 21m
Your probable score
Avg Percentile 76.45% from 1601 total ratings

Ratings & Reviews

(1601)
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Rated 11 Jul 2009
10
98th
"If there is no God - would it really make a difference? Life would become understandable. What a relief. [...] Cruelty, loneliness and fear - all these things would be straightforward and transparent." Draped in Nykvist's beautifully balanced, remarkably symmetrical and constantly well-lit black & white shots and coupled with Bergman's trademark intellectual existentialism and some strong, natural and convincing performances, "Winter Light" is very close to perfection.
Rated 27 Feb 2010
10
99th
All time favorite. A truly harrowing film that's unremittingly bleak and pessimistic in its analysis of faith in both God and humanity. It is concerned not only with the silence of god, but with the impossibility of finding comfort from that silence in the people around us. The performances are all equally devastating and Nykvist's always masterful cinematography perfectly captures these characters' crippling existential anxieties.
Rated 09 Feb 2008
95
94th
Winter Light is one of the most theologically pertinent and engaging films I've ever experienced. It's absolutely gorgeous in its cinematography and the acting is, without a doubt, among Bergman's best directed. This is a crowning achievement for Bergman and while not his paramount best, it's certainly in the company. Some of the things discussed are brilliant and engaging to anyone who can relate with a lapse of faith or questioning it in any way. It's phenomenal.
Rated 16 Mar 2008
5
91st
Downright depressing; a haunting examination of faith and religion that manages to be overwhelmingly bleak but never manipulative, and even borders on hopeful at moments. No other film I've seen has dealt with religion in such a despairing manner, and only Bergman himself has ever made another movie (that I've seen, anyway) that dealt with faith in such a profound manner.
Rated 26 Jan 2008
100
99th
Winter Light is an amazing look at man's constant crisis of faith, and the meaning of life. Bergman explores the thoughts of many in this film, a woman in love, a troubled man, and even a priest, creating a number of unforgettable characters. The mesmerizing performances from Björnstrand and Thulin, and the sweeping cinematography by Nykvist creates a truly remarkable atmosphere, and a truly remarkable film. Unforgettable.
Rated 02 Apr 2010
93
97th
I've heard that this was one of Bergman's more serious, bleak films; e.g., one of the ones that give him the reputation of being joyless that he doesn't deserve. That's definitely not wrong, but it's also one of his most moving. Even with my personal feelings on religion, I felt I understood all the characters' suffering perfectly. The hunchback's speech near the end is inspired. I would put this high up in my list of favourite Bergmans.
Rated 24 Feb 2007
95
94th
One of Bergman's finest, and that's saying quite a bit. It's bleak even by his standards, but it never feels manipulative.
Rated 14 Nov 2007
80
91st
One of the best crisis of faith movies I've ever seen, and one of Ingmar's Bergman bleakest visions, with characteristically awesome acting and photography.
Rated 03 Aug 2009
6
99th
The most frightening idea of all is an utter lack of conviction in everything but an all-consuming uncertainty. To be left wayward and remote, stranded in a frigid snowscape seemingly untouched by God's warmth and without the capacity for communion. What dreadful anxiety. Was Bergman ever as dismal as in Winter Light? Its austerity is crystalline, aesthetically minimal and with a point-blank focus on performances.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
96
98th
Pitch-perfect performances, incredible script, very powerful stuff.
Rated 04 May 2008
7
99th
The core of this is more frightening and oppressive then anything I've ever encountered; the subtlety in which Bergman pulls this off is the real key. One of the more focused and fulfilling of his many masterpieces.
Rated 27 Jun 2008
93
94th
This film is crushing. However, it's done in such a way that you don't come away from it feeling bad.
Rated 15 Feb 2009
10
97th
Bergman's take on faith, or rather disbelief, nears perfection like no other film I've seen. The character of Tomas is fearful, he confronts God and even questions his affection towards the woman he loves, facing the consequences in the end (I loved that scene near the river, reflecting the fragility of the film's theme), so one might think this is a bleak film... well it is, but irresistibly so. One of Bergman's best.
Rated 12 Apr 2010
95
98th
Confronts the intense subjects of loss of faith and tragedy, but in such a low key manner that it never feels manipulative or overbearing, despite its bleakness. The cinematography, acting, and writing all excel. Powerful.
Rated 26 Aug 2008
86
96th
Bergman's favourite Bergman. Second viewing, June 2020: Perfectly articulates the (non)relationship between an anxious and desperate, but ironic, woman and a man no longer capable of love, and his existential crisis as his own desperate childish fantasies evaporate. A rejection of THROUGH A GLASS DARKLY. Message: no matter what happens, no matter that it is a pharmakon, rarely effective and mostly absurd, hold on to the ritual of communion (with others and with what does not exist but consists).
Rated 20 Mar 2010
10
98th
Trademark Bergman. This is a powerful visual conveyance of 'the silence of God.' This seems to be his bleakest treatment of the subject of faith, here it's almost completely lost, even non-existent. The rays of hope are few and far between, but his honesty and his treatment of the subject matter here in a sincere and thoughtful fashion are second to none. As always, Bergman teeters on the edge of faithlessness but there is always a shred of something pointing back towards it. A beautiful crisis.
Rated 20 Mar 2008
93
92nd
This is one of the most gloriously and richly written movies I have ever seen. It's only my second Bergman, but after this and The Seventh Seal, I feel extremely compelled to see everything else. The concepts brought up in Winter Light are very honest ones and the fine acting just brings you to empathize even more with the heavy confusion of the main character.
Rated 28 Apr 2008
100
99th
Gently poetic, genuine in it's ruthless honesty, and pleasantly low-voiced in it's wrath and sadness.
Rated 18 Jun 2009
100
99th
The film contains beautiful compositions, a stunning use of light, and excellent sound design. Bergman excels in portraying Tomas' crisis of faith, particularly as it's expressed through his relationship with Marta. Most significantly though is his conversation with Algot, whose simple faith in the final moments shines such a bright light on Tomas' soul, whether he realizes it or not. The final lines of this film, from the Biblical book of Isaiah, never fail to leave a deep impression.
Rated 22 Jul 2009
4
93rd
It has all the usual Bergman trademarks going for it, but for me this didn't resonate as well as I can imagine it does for others, much because these are questions I made up my mind about in my teens and now are somewhat detached from and finished with. Still I have no problem empathizing with the characters and their anguish, and it's worth seeing for good performances and of course Nykvist's cinematography.
Rated 26 Jul 2009
95
98th
Even though the title suggests a lot of hope "Winter Light" is mostly a movie about doubt and despair. Bergman's cast delivers a compelling performance within Nykvist's unique atmosphere. Very impressive, how Bergman managed to make the viewer feel every tiny bit of the characters' agony when not even religion or god can offer any relief as the pastor Tomas Ericsson suffers from a severe crisis and seems to be close to lose his belief in god. Very good script...26/07/09
Rated 24 Oct 2010
40
97th
"One of cinema's great comedies." - Keith Uhlich
Rated 25 Jul 2011
86
97th
Winter Light beautifully takes a "small approach" (short running time, limited locations, heavy dialogue) toward mammoth concepts like love and faith, lending it an unnerving authenticity. Virtually every moment on the screen is poetic agony.
Rated 13 Nov 2012
95
99th
Second in Bergman's Trilogy of Faith. And just like 'Through a Glass Darkly' it's also one of his very best. Intellectually stimulating and, as usual, impeccably acted and shot.
Rated 28 Jul 2019
85
97th
Like Antonioni, Bergman was concerned with the general malaise that had plagued the western world after WW2, but he didn't trace its 'origin' back to the same source. In this stark world, the rituals and iconography of religion have become empty signifiers that no longer provide solace and comfort from the uncertainties of modern life. Bjornstrand gives a career best performance as the tormented priest, and the film is one of cinema's most powerful statements about spiritual desolation.
Rated 12 Sep 2019
100
96th
I think this is a perfectly executed film. Björnstrand feels he lives in a world that is completely absent of value and meaning, and cold, empty stillness of the film perfectly echoes that feeling. It's austere and hostile ... and very beautiful.
Rated 20 Jan 2022
74
96th
a pastor is going through it and tells people to k*ll themselves, basically
Rated 16 Nov 2007
50
56th
typically dark and a bit more inscrutable than some of the others.
Rated 30 Nov 2007
100
96th
This is probably my favourite film of all time. Even after seeing it 5 or 6 times, I'm not sure if we're supposed to despair at the ending or feel slightly reassured. I find my personal response depends on my mood going into the film. I watch it every year or two. I can't get enough.
Rated 01 Mar 2008
78
64th
# 443
Rated 08 Apr 2008
80
77th
Not the best Bergman, but still an interesting experience. The cinematography is notable.
Rated 29 Oct 2008
40
25th
As cold as a dead herring.
Rated 14 Nov 2008
83
84th
14 Kasim 2008 - White House, Kas
Rated 17 Nov 2008
10
99th
Only Bergman can make emptiness feel so satisfying.
Rated 19 Dec 2008
76
52nd
479
Rated 03 Jun 2009
87
79th
This movie is a good experience. I've specially enjoyed the part that Ingrid Tullin's character letter turn into a monologue and also when the priest becames sincere and agressive with the woman who loves him... it's almost embarrassing. In a general way, it's all about to have or not something to feel like going on...
Rated 28 Aug 2009
93
98th
Chilling
Rated 22 Oct 2009
100
99th
In many ways the quintessential Bergman chamber drama, as it deftly explores his preoccupations with God and death. Bjornstrand's performance is magnetic, perhaps his richest role.
Rated 22 Dec 2009
95
94th
A short, spare film about faith and its loss.
Rated 15 Jan 2010
75
50th
504
Rated 20 Mar 2010
80
91st
Beautiful and thoughtful interpretation of a crisis of faith.
Rated 27 Jul 2010
60
15th
It deserves a re-watch sometime in the future. Boring performances lead to a rather boring film, and the worst in the trilogy.
Rated 09 May 2011
90
95th
Beautiful cinematography, brilliant performances, great writing.
Rated 29 Jun 2011
97
97th
Winter Light is my best and most different from the rest of Bergman movies experience so far. Its conflict is so vivid and the torments of the souls on the screen are so real that I could really feel their pain. Absolutely unforgettable.
Rated 17 Aug 2011
85
86th
Gorgeous shot, interesting "crisis-of-faith" film that ultimately feels like a piece of a much longer film. Still, quite good.
Rated 25 Aug 2011
66
64th
impeccably made, but didn't surprise me at all. guess i knew what to expect of a Bergman lapse-of-faith film. still, the closing 10 minutes were damnnn good.
Rated 05 Nov 2011
85
84th
Tomas is a thoroughly wretched protagonist, for whom the world appears in hollow shades of grey, much as it does to the viewer, and the difference between him and the story of Jesus explained at the end of the picture by the kind-hearted veteran is that he sees fit to inflict his doubts upon those around him, causing heartbreaking destruction. He is truly the source for the horror that he deems the world to be wreaking upon himself, and it's not clear if he ever understands it. Incredible.
Rated 07 Nov 2011
100
83rd
I had this fleeting hope, that everything wouldn't turn out to be illusions, dreams, and lies.
Rated 30 Nov 2011
77
54th
#452
Rated 28 Dec 2011
80
81st
watched: 2011, 2023
Rated 12 Jan 2012
93
90th
Beautiful photography. Bergman is more economic with this story, imparting every line with maximal weight. I feel inadequate trying to impart my thoughts on it, but I'll just say one thing. The scope of the film is enormous, it confronts the ideas of love and faith, and the impact Bergman makes in a scant 80 minutes is quite impressive.
Rated 19 Jan 2012
95
97th
First let me say that this is probably the most captivating cinematography Nykvist has every done. So instead of writing some obvious review of how great Bergman is I'm going to dedicate this to him. He really captures the bleak torturous imagery that is the christian faith. The contrasts are so crisp. The use of the sun and white light really gave it that essence of god even though the film deals with the absence of His presence. Probably the best black and white photography I've ever seen.
Rated 20 Apr 2012
85
96th
fantastic cinematography and interesting ideas. I can, however, not help but thinking Ive watched this god/no god discussion so many times throughout the movie history its getting tiresome, as monumental as it may be. some very nice things: the letter, how the dialogues cant be heard under the noise from the weather and the stream.
Rated 19 Aug 2012
75
62nd
My introduction to Bergman, and while I thought the film was good, it wasn't the masterpiece my PSI would seem to suggest. The acting is good, and the scenes between the priest and his admirer in the schoolhouse and between the priest and the handicapped helper in the church are very good. Maybe a tad short for my liking, and I thought the very ending could have been better.
Rated 25 Aug 2012
94
95th
A thoroughly cold film that leaves you feeling strangely warm after you leave, especially due to the conclusion.
Rated 27 Oct 2012
99
97th
A simple story with complex philosophical quandaries. Amazing.
Rated 14 Nov 2012
90
94th
I love existential Bergman pieces, and this one may be heavier than even "The Seventh Seal". A magnificent, bleak and harrowing film.
Rated 10 Jan 2013
95
96th
It is appropriate that the light through the window can be seen both as God trying to show his presence to this believer and also as a sign that maybe the world is just a cold, chaotic place where the elements, and not a deity, rules. The letter scene ranks as one of the greatest scenes I have ever seen. When the end comes it is no surprise that it leaves us with no resolution. In truth there is no other way to end it, as men in this situation will never find resolution until death.
Rated 26 Jan 2013
15
8th
it is a pitty that when antonioni was making great movies about contemporary society, bergman was stuck in the middle ages! people can have problems and can be insane but why? show us some environment. don't just make your characters be histeric without reason.
Rated 20 Jul 2013
64
45th
A movie I wanted to like more than I did. It explores the familiar Bergman themes of faith, despair, and looking back on one's own life. However, the viewing experience was very boring. I'm sure it's a film I'll appreciate it more as I ruminate over it, but I can't rank a movie too highly when I had to check my watch this many times (and its only 81 minutes).
Rated 02 Oct 2013
85
83rd
85.000
Rated 09 Oct 2013
8
97th
would be even better if it was purely focused on faith.
Rated 17 Oct 2013
95
93rd
Gunnar Bjornstrand's performance in this is unbelievable. Winter Light is a beautiful reflection on religion and the significance it plays in every day life. A pastor is haunted by God's silence and from that concept, Bergman crafts the most beautiful and chilling images the realize the pastor's suffering. It's really masterful stuff.
Rated 19 Jan 2014
93
99th
One day, Bergman. I'll figure out what it is that makes this so goddamn watchable - until then I'll just finally kow-tow to your abilities.
Rated 09 Jul 2014
94
99th
How the little piglets would grunt if they knew how the old boar suffered.
Rated 18 May 2015
89
92nd
Wow. Bergman really knows how to frame shots. I can see why people consider him one of the greatest ever. Really looking forward to watching more, now. After watching Winter Light, you can honestly sit and analyze the damn thing for hours. The film hits you hard.
Rated 28 Jul 2015
85
89th
Despair and crises.
Rated 31 Aug 2015
84
87th
Its brutal pessimism and stark bleakness (strong by even Bergman's standards) is admirable in its frank and uncompromising confrontation with life's most perplexing and frustrating mystery. The pure agony seeping out of every pore of its players' skin is utterly palpable, due both to their performances and Nykvist's awe-inspiring imagery. A fierce display of faith-in-crisis.
Rated 12 Oct 2015
76
57th
Primeiramente eu daria uma nota super alta pelo chamariz da perda de fé que é universal e não se restringe à Deus, depois a nota abaixou muito pelo discurso misógino presente, o que elevou a nota foi minha consideração de que a crença cristã é por si só patriarcal e representaria esse comportamento misógino. Resumindo: Fique com Persona.
Rated 13 May 2016
97
99th
Kabusun yarattığı devi sevgiyle kovalamak gerekir. Ancak bu cevap kalıcı değildir. Nattvardsgästerna (İbadet Edenler) filminde Ingmar Bergman, Tanrı'nın öldüğünü ilan eder. Tıpkı kendisi gibi bir papaz çocuğu olan Friedrich Nietzsche'nin yaptığı gibi. Karın üzerini örttüğü bir papazevinin soğuk ve sade ortamında, bir taşra papazının mekanik ve yararsız hareketleri içinde Tanrı ölür. http://www.kulturelmasi.com/nattvardsgasterna-bergmanin-oda-ucle
Rated 14 Jul 2016
90
85th
(...) Ist das der Aufschrei eines Künstlers, dessen Leben genauso kalt schien? Der nicht geben konnte? Wie autobiographisch Nattvardsgästerna tatsächlich ist, werden wir wohl nie herausfinden. Im Herzen ist es ein Film über einen Mann, der sich für Gott hält und versagt.
Rated 27 Nov 2016
75
74th
[MMWTM3K#14]
Rated 07 Dec 2016
90
95th
Some of the best dialogues you may ever heard in a movie.
Rated 26 Feb 2017
4
77th
snygg timing?? det hade det varit om filmen visats på en tid då vanliga människor kunnat se den...
Rated 11 Jun 2018
96
98th
i came to tell you that god is dead ...and oh, yeah your husband is dead as well.
Rated 16 Jan 2019
96
91st
Stark and bleak but well-acted and thought provoking.
Rated 26 Jul 2019
0
3rd
I wish film buffs would stop tricking me into watching religious movies.
Rated 11 Feb 2020
90
92nd
An obvious and I'm sure noted by a zillion people influence on Schrader's First Reformed. Beautiful stuff. Love that Bergman still hits me the same way it did when I was 17
Rated 20 May 2020
73
63rd
Hard to separate from First Reformed in my mind. I suspect I may have experienced this entirely differently had I seen this first. I found myself missing the environmental, capitalist, and surrealist components of First Reformed, which effectively serves as a remake without advertising itself as such.
Rated 10 Jun 2020
85
64th
Human struggle to make sense of life, through religion or love or their combination, and how the struggle, though necessary, can be both the source of significance and the shelter for withdrawal from its own development.
Rated 20 Jul 2020
65
64th
Religious faith is a cruel beast, love is a cruel beast. What Bergman presents here is film as a series of confessions, full of torment, despair and hatred. It's impressively bleak, with Tomas' brutal rejection of Märta a testament to the cruelty waiting inside all of us. However, the exploration of faith seems to fall short of anything profound for the viewer, with the reading of the letter the most powerful aspect of the film in this regard.
Rated 15 Sep 2020
84
72nd
The first time Bergman's obsession with "God's silence" didn't feel like histrionic navel-gazing to me. The last five or ten minutes are excellent. Strange that this lasted for as many minutes as my BluRay player claims - this felt brief, like a somber sonnet with a succinct ending, cutting to black on an inhale of the unexpecting audience. Great.
Rated 21 Sep 2020
85
93rd
Perfectly told (in just 80 minutes!) story in beautiful black and white. Bleak without being unpleasant
Rated 04 Oct 2020
68
14th
I don't really "get" films that focus on religion, I am trying to explore more but I just can't relate to them too much, I much prefer First Reformed to this as it just speaks more to me. Sorry Bergman bro
Rated 19 Feb 2022
85
83rd
Amerikan filmlerini yorgun olduÄŸum zamanlarda izlemeyi ben de seviyorum.
Rated 23 Feb 2022
80
78th
It would be a little too easy to shrug this off as yet another Bergman existential crisis on film, but there's something really raw about the characters here. It almost felt like a film noir at points with the overarching hopelessness and doubt.
Rated 07 Oct 2022
77
64th
Interesting film that seems very much like a play. GREAT performances from very complex characters with much to say about religion. Probably needs to be seen multiple times and analyzed to fully be appreciated. It's a movie I think I'll do some thinking about. It's very subtle and doesn't go totally philosophical babble, which has been my issue with a few Bergmans. Good film.
Rated 21 Jan 2023
97
95th
Another masterpiece. Almost unbearably bleak. I really enjoyed the outdoor cinematography, as well as the breathtaking blown-up closeups. Strong acting throughout.
Rated 11 Mar 2023
8
71st
A brief but compelling tale of spiritual struggle, executed with remarkable restraint given the misfortunes of its characters. The final turn, though sudden, leaves a lasting impression of hope in the midst of a grey and unsettled darkness.
Rated 20 Jan 2024
83
69th
A somber musing rather than anything substantive or consequential, this is more of a film of great moments and images than a satisfying whole, with Nykvist's cinematography standing out (von Sydow has never looked so beautifully stunning). I'll be the umpteenth viewer to reference FIRST REFORMED, but memories of Schrader's urgent and passionate treatment of similar material makes this pale a little; Thulin and Björnstrand's separate monologues are an almost scorching enough to elevate this.

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