THE VIRGIN SPRING (1960) Movie Review - Spoilers

[@jasonhurd4379]

My father showed me Jungfrukällan in 1969. I was six years old, and public television in San Francisco showed a foreign film every Friday evening. Far from traumatising me, this film showed me that innocence and violence co-exist in this flawed world of ours. To this day, it is one of my top three favorite Bergman films.

[@Dirkschneider]

Oh, but I thought about something. The lashing with the birch branches is not self punishment. It's to cleanse yourself. The lashing opens up the pores in the sauna so you sweat out the grime. The birch also release a very fresh smell. So, it is ritualistic and symbolic for sure but it is done in an attempt to prepare himself and enforce disiplin I guess. Like going into the situation as a different man. It shows that he is not acting with haste. He has decided to do what he is going to do and he is not taking it lightly.

[@Ashish-uq4vy]

This is exactly what I was about to comment. Here's what I found on Wikipedia: "In Scandinavia, Baltics, Russia and Finland there is a tradition to strike one's own body with soaked birch twigs in the sauna or banya, as a form of massage and to increase blood circulation and open the pores. The twigs are chosen carefully and do not have their leaves removed, and are often softened by keeping them in hot water prior to use. Being struck by the twigs induces a pleasant stinging sensation but very little actual pain."

[@northernspirited9]

I just found out yesterday that this movie is based on a medieval text which is set in the area I live. This "Virgin Spring" actually exists and I live just 1km away from it. So guess i'll have to see the movie now!

[@deepfocuslens]

Wow. How interesting. Yes, see it for sure. :)

[@sdfghgtrew]

@@deepfocuslens watch cries and whispers =)

[@gianca60]

""She's beutiful, she's blond" They are in Sweden, so...

[@grekosmuse]

One my favorite's films of Bergman, great review.

[@oskar_oskarewicz]

I would also recommend this film to all horror and Wes Craven's fans. His infamous debiut - The Last House On The Left is based on Bergman's Virgin Spring.

[@Funkywallot]

For reference : The Virgin spring stems from a written ballad from the 13-th Century called " Herr Töres' döttrar" (Master Töres Daughters) The same theme also found in danish, faroe, icelandic och Norwegian traditions. A time when christianity made its way and coexist with the old world of the Vikings plurality of gods and protectors.

[@dannyk7226]

Great review. It's so refreshing to see someone with the insight and dedication to reviewing these more obscure works! I agree that Virgin Spring is a good introduction to Bergman's films. It's a good starter with most of the essential Bergman elements that seem to recur throughout the canon. Looking forward to watching more of these reviews. Keep up the good work!

[@wolfie478]

Fanny & Alexander is my favorite Bergman. You should review some Abbas Kiarostami. Would love to hear your thoughts.

[@Stroheim333]

The Virging Spring is plotted from a medieval ballad, which means that the moral depicted in the movie is shame and honor culture -- from a time when the individuals and their families were supposed to administer their own justice, and not the society at large.

[@kh884488]

I think this is one of my favorite Bergman films and I'm not sure exactly why. I think it's because Bergman makes a film that touches on so many existential human themes with using so few resources: 11 actors. 2-3 sets and some space outdoors. A special effect that can be done with a common garden hose. It goes to show that having a large budget doesn't necessarily translate into the quality of the film and its storytelling.

[@zantigar]

Wow, what an incredible, sophisticated analysis of a powerful film whose inexorable events culminate at a miracle of such (as you so perceptively emphasize) quiet purity. One can only stand back as it flows forth.

[@McLarenMercedes]

Currently a resident and student in Bergman's hometown. Sadly there's just a street named after him and the locals (which includes most students) aren't too enchanted (that's putting it mildly) by his films. Pity. One would assume his films would be shown at various film festivals but to my knowledge no such thing occurs. There's some small consolation David Fincher shot some scenes for "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" here. As usual. A great review. Deepfocuslens always inspires me to watch more films. Listen and learn. :)

[@deckofcards87]

The shots of Max Von Sydow cutting the tree on the hilltop has stayed with me for years. Very striking imagery from the master Bergman.

[@HuckErick]

I was curious what you had to say about "Virgin Spring" but I saw the air quotes in the thumbnail preview and it was so incredibly annoying that I couldn't watch and had to post this. Thanks thumbnail preview!

[@d.1169]

About 32 years ago it was for sale cheap at a Box Office video store, it had ENGLISH SUBTITLES! Of course I bought it not knowing the quality of the movie and never regretting it either.

[@davidvalensi8616]

Yes "terrible things happen at the hands of men" but she also had a father, who when he had proof foul play had happened to his daughter, didn't hesitate, even gave those swine a fighting chance by waking them. He wanted them awake so they would experience the same terror she had. In the end he doesn't understand why this has happened, but pledges to build a church right on that spot with his own two hands, his religious training tells him the only way for her death to have meaning is if it in some way serves God.

[@markvegar33]

I have seldom seen a movie with such a profoundly moving and unexpected ending. Simply astonishing!

[@renman-go3bs]

Would you do a review of Elaine May's Mikey and Nickey (1976)? I would really like to get your impressions of that film.

[@ahkeibigshowjabba]

I just watched it... and i loved it too.. But Persona and Hour of the Wolf my top two favorite.. Could you do a review of Hour of the wolf i just want to know your thoughts about it..

[@edgehhh613]

Awesome review 😊 It's definitely one of favourite film of all time and "fun fact it's Ang Lee's favourite film" I wanna ask you what's your opinion on "I spit on your grave" and "The last house on the left" they basically took "The virgin spring" and made it into real Raped and Revenge

[@raminybhatti5740]

Another film to add to the list. I'd like to hear your opinion on Doubt and A Single Man, if you've not already reviewed them. I've watched both recently for the first time, and i adore both.

[@Shifty1940]

The dead body laying in the grass with snow sticks out. Similar to the guy under the tree in Winter Light

[@Vonklieve]

I saw the movie Life today. I spent a large part of the film covering my eyes...I have concluded that I am a horror movie wimp. Lets hope I can watch Alien: Covenant with my eyes open next!Back to Life, it was a good film. Though I found the alien life form miraculously having magic space powers...It was derivative of course. But I expected this.

[@bobthabuilda1525]

Why on earth don't you have a million subscribers? Great content

[@MisterWesPowell]

If there is a God he or she deserves our total honesty. In tragedies where there are survivors and deaths we often see in the media interviews with the lucky, some variation of thanks to God. In other words "I'm damn sure glad God didn't poop on me like he did on some of those others."

[@playamaqui]

impeccable review

[@Dirkschneider]

I would not recommend this film as the Bergman film to start with. In fact, watching this, Shame, Autumn sonata, Seventh seal and Persona as my first Bergman films gave me the impression that Bergman only made depressing films. As I watched more of his films I found much more heart and compassion. Thirst, Wild Strawberries, Sawdust & Tinsel, Fanny & Alexander and Brink of Life all have their share of darkness but they also have bright, heartfelt and hopeful messages. If those had been my first Bergman films I would have been less hesitant to explore more of his films. As it happened I often chose to watch something else because I imagined that every Berman film would be hard to digest.

[@sdfghgtrew]

cries and whispers

[@DD-zu9fy]

this is just a wonderful film. like every Bergman film--something he does so brilliantly--I totally identify with every single one of the main characters, understand their motivations and the reason for their actions. Its easy to put yourself in multiple characters' places at the same time. I so completely get lost and forget I'm watching a movie.

[@DD-zu9fy]

Through a Glass Darkly and The Magician are probably my favourites, would love to hear a review of either of them. GREAT job with this one!

[@JCT1926]

Her reviews have come a very long way since this video.

[@KayBeeJay]

Did you get a chance to see Ingrid Bergman In Her Own Words? It really opened my eyes up to the... less likable things about Ingmar Bergman

[@65g4]

Omg maggie we are twins i saw the virigin spring 2 years ago and found it shocking and powerful. It is one of my fav Bergman films ive also seen The Seventh Seal. I want to see Persona next

[@SaraKellyhiphope]

who is the troubled brunet woman?

[@garyrobinson8665]

I really enjoyed the film. Fairly predictable though. and I didn't buy that the parents would allow two vulnerable women travel through the woods alone. It took me out of the film. Other than that I enjoyed it and think it's bergmans best film.

[@gartoon100]

Hi, I'm from Sweden so Bergman runs in my blood 😉. This is a very good review! Thank you very much. It's a great movie. About good and evil and about God's silence and absence.

[@johnsmusicpassions9740]

enjoyed your review which i watched just before i upload my own review of this movie - mine isn't as analyitical as yours however

[@Dirkschneider]

You make great videos. I might start posting video recommendations soon as well but it will be slightly less high brow.

[@DaveRae77]

Just found your page. I feel lucky...great review!

[@zvyn]

I just watched this and it’s my favorite Bergman movie so far (seen 5 but I’m working my way through some more).

[@sdfghgtrew]

cries and whispers is one of the best

[@zvyn]

@@sdfghgtrew I've seen 10 now.

[@sdfghgtrew]

@@zvyn good shit wich one you like best?

[@gearhead0800]

why are you calling the man that is speaking to the boy, a beggar???

[@TheWhitehiker]

This analysis hits and misses; so, only two cheers.

[@dam00k]

12 years later you could see LHOTL with no subtitles and great gore and Americans don’t have to bother with the naivety and God bothering. Nosferatu is super cringe because it used 1920’s theatrical exaggeration and this film rolled the same way but in 1960 when it could have been shot in technicolor. Still a must see, hyper 1950’s censored and that dank stage theatre amateurism is an undeserved plate of kiviak from the snack bar.

[@yacovlevi]

Was he justified in killing the men and for killing the boy? You could argue the father killing the boy is worse then what happened to his daughter.

[@lf99o_o43]

Great video

[@waterblonk]

I know you're American and all but "Burkmun" is not even close to the correct way to pronounce Bergman.

[@deepfocuslens]

Uh...that's exactly how I pronounce it. I have no idea what you're hearing.

[@waterblonk]

I might have to rephrase it. The correct way to pronounce Bergman is: Ber (as in bear) the G in Berg is pronounced by saying the Y (as a consonant) while pushing your tongue against your palette. Man is pronounced like "mun" (as in "mundane")

[@waterblonk]

Ps: excuse my choppy English. I'm Dutch

[@deepfocuslens]

You're really nitpicking there.

[@waterblonk]

I'm sorry. I just find it disrespectful to wilfully mispronounce one's name.